Well, I'm a bit behind on the fml due to all the hecticness of the holidays (I won't mention which ones, since we don't need to get religious here (-: ). But I was very intrigued by the anonymous post that compared Sandee's following to a cult and asked "where does reality start and fantasy end". Well, quite often reality is in one's perspective. I often see my ferrets looking directly at me, my friends would say they are simply gazing into space. I can quite cleary see curiosity, happiness, and annoyance in my ferrets eyes, my friends would see only blank stares. So even when ferrets are here with us on earth, it's still a bit of a perspective, reality or fantasy, when we gauge their moods and what they're thinking. As for religion, I believe the destination is "the rainbow bridge" not necessarily any religion's view of the hereafter. And for the "Big Boss" that is often mentioned, well that could be whoever you imagine it to be. God, Allah, or the Jolly Green Giant. For me, I'm considering that it could be a HUGE ferret, (so I'll be getting my little fuzzie ones all they want for their holiday!). Now, I'm sure religious tones sneak in when we don't expect it (saying bless you, thank God, or ferret's Christmas wishes) but I hope that everyone on this list is comfortable enough to make whatever small religious comments that come naturally to them in expression, regardless of their religion. Here I do only mean to welcome comments that are friendly and caring in nature; comments that are meant as kindness and comfort, as the Sandee posts are. After all, comfort and kindness is what the Sandee posts are about. And what comforts people both before and after a loved one's death is often imagined. We all hope our loved ones pass in peace, that their final thoughts are made in warmth and comfort. We hope they feel our loving thoughts and enter death, whatever that may lead to, with an accepting peace. I thank Sandee and SaraFerret for passing on the possibilities of happy ferret afterlifes that they envision. These posts are made as a kind comfort, and I accept them as that. I thank the majority of the fml for also viewing them as such, and Bill for accepting them as part of this forum. For those who they bother, I hope you are able to scroll past them. Dooks Risa [Posted in FML issue 4364]