My Jake is gone. He's been on Lupron for two years and recently developed insulinoma, but I guess it was the liver problems Dr. Edling discovered last month that took him so quickly. He was special for being my first Little Buddy, as I call my boys. I had two young and two old girls when we adopted Jake, and he taught me that the boys can be different. Funny Jake. He was so tickled when he war danced that he almost tied himself in knots with summersaults. The man who gave him away said, "See! See! Doesn't he look like he has rabies?" For several years Jake was the Alpha ferret. I was never sure if it was because he danced funnier than anyone, or if he just got the job because no one else wanted it. Jake was also the Minister of Funny Walks with his fussy little prancing as he crossed the floor. He loved to have me chase him while I imitated his "Heh heh heh heh" that meant "Playtime! Let's pretend we're fierce!" Jakey also gave such loving kisses, more and more as he grew older and felt less well. Zoe will be following Jake too soon. I thought she would be the next because, in addition to adrenal disease and insulinoma, she has lymphosarcoma now and she's 7.5. She will be the sixth ferret I've lost since last August... In the meantime, she is absolutely craving Reiki. It surprises even me. Our special time together has always been on the couch. She wanders around next to me while I skritch her head and back. Now she stretches out full length and zones out while I give her Reiki with one hand on either side of her body. She'll just lie there for 5-10 minutes, then get up and wander off to sniff the insides of the bags on the floor. I know this is not one of those wonderful times when Reiki will cure a problem, but I can tell that it must be relieving her pain or comforting her in some very deep way. Reiki is always lovely, but since the first weekend I learned it, it has been most special for helping ferrets through their last days and hours. When I can help a dying ferret stop whimpering and just be more peaceful, it means more than I can say. Blessings Judith -- Reiki Master & Karuna Reiki(tm) Master * * * Reiki Distance Healing * * * For You and Your Animal Companions http://www.Reiki4Healing.com [Posted in FML issue 3983]