After somewhat getting back on my feet from losing Tyler on 11/8/03, I was again faced with a seriously ill ferret. My Duchess (first ferret and gift from son) started to have bad poops. I also noticed that she was losing weight and grinding her teeth a lot. Because the holiday week was approaching, I decided to have her checked by the vet on Friday. Well, the preliminary diagnosis was lymphoma. I couldn't believe it!! The vet did a blood panel, x-ray and pathology sample. That was also the day that Duchess decided to stop eating kibble. So, I came home and started her on Duck Soup. Friday night was not too bad, Saturday was a little worse and by Sunday night I suspected that her kidneys were starting to shut down. My little Duchess passed away at 8:00am today. I will forever miss her cute face, with her little overbite, staring up at me asking for a Cheerio. She was a real lady and the epitome of "alpha" ferret. She was a petite little girl with a crooked tail (seems that it might have been broken when she was a kit before I got her). Duchess was the one to determine which toys could stay in the toy box and which toys had to be kept in the hidey hole. Her favorite toy was a toilet bowl brush (not used) that stayed in the bathroom for her to play with. She was the one who had to endure my lack of experience with handling and caring for a ferret - baths once a week, ferret food recommended by pet store that was far from superior, until I learned better. Duchess was a very brave girl who fought death all the way, but the cancer won. However, now she no longer has any pain. When I left work tonight, I looked up in the sky and saw one lone star. I can only hope that it was Duchess. I hope with all my heart that she is playing with Tyler and that she knows how much I love her and how much I miss her. Duchess, my little girl, my muffin, my little noodle, I wish you peace. Phyllis M. Spy Massachusetts Ferret Friends, Inc. ______________________________________________ A non-profit organization dedicated to education, outreach and shelter to benefit the domestic ferret [Posted in FML issue 4370]