It is with a very heavy heart that I write this. I just helped Pepper cross over the bridge. She was seven and a half years old. Pepper went into kidney failure over the weekend. She stopped eating and drinking. I had planned to let nature take its course. Pepper had a very full and active life. She was my tiniest little girl. Only weighed just over a pound her whole life. But she enjoyed life so much. She survived adrenal surgery back in 1999. Didn't slow her down any at all. I did give her watered down duck soup. And I took her outside yesterday so she could enjoy the fresh air and sunshine one more time. I hadn't seen her urinate in about 48 hours, even with what liquids I was getting down her. She was dehydrating on me. I took her in to the vet this morning. Her kidneys were not working. I made the decision to help her cross before she was in a lot of pain and suffered. My vet let me hold her while the shot was administered. She doesn't do this for most people. She and I had to help a baby cross the bridge one night after midnight back at the beginning of the year. So she knew I could handle it. It made it easier in lots of ways. Pepper was my sweet kisser. She hadn't kissed me in the last two days. When I held her to say goodbye before the shot, she kissed me. Letting me know it was okay to let her go. I will treasure that memory forever. Now my concern turns to Bubbles who will be eight next month. She and Pepper were buddies. I hope I can help her through our loss of Pepper. For the love of ferrets and the human hearts they hold, Barbara Laugesen Bubbles, Simon, Calvin, and Blake At the bridge - Pepper, Sneezy, Rosey, Nosey, Rascal and a special foster ferret, Sophie [Posted in FML issue 4321]