Well, by now, everyone is up in arms about the unjust way I attacked Gordon concerning the way he dealt with Kodo's illness and eventual passing. I won't go into anything more private about any past problems with Gordon, but please understand that my whole point was that I was so upset at the idea of Kodo's suffering (and I'd had the pleasure of cuddling and kissing Kodo) and that yes, I blew a gasket and could not understand any owner who would day after day detail their ferret's dying process without taking the poor creature to a vet for a second opinion. If there is ever any doubt in our shelter as to the quality of life, we always take the ferret to our veterinarian, Dr. Michael Zuccaro, for his opinion. We value his input, and it often eases the burden of having to make that awful choice of euthanzasia when a caring veterinarian whom you've worked with for 7 years looks at you and agrees "Yes, this ferret is suffering". I'm sorry so many of you think I'm a heartless person. And yes, I'm guilty of having more compassion for my ferrets than for most humans. As a shelter director, I feel that's my job, to look out for the ferret's best interets. It hurt me badly to hear how Kodo suffered and I wondered briefly if we were dealing with Munchausens by proxy- I'll never know. On the flip side, nothing makes me happier than to spend the day with our therapy ferrets at a nursing home, or taking them to a children's day event, We have been critized for giving away older ferrets to wonderful loving homes, Our main concern is "WHAT IS BEST FOR THE FERRET." I apologize for upsetting so many readers who might had heard only half of the story. My error. I just know that Kodo's death will haunt me for a very long time. Sincerely, Marlene Blackburn RFRL www.rfrl.net [Posted in FML issue 4493]