First I want to say that Tyler is a great person. He may be "only 15" but he has been wonderful to both the shelter and the ferrets. Ivory and Spice came into the shelter when they were 6 months old. They were placed twice but each time came back..and the attitudes of the ferrets changed each time they came back - less trusting, more wary of people. Its as if they knew they would only be there a few weeks and so wouldn't interact with people - and the last home is when they started to bite. Tyler volunteers at the shelter - and everytime he came over to help, he made a point of playing with Spice and Ivory. He loved those girls, flaws and all. It took him about 3 months I think to wear his mom down (his dad wanted them both too) and finally he was able to take them home. I think that was probably the happiest day in a long time for him. I was devastated when I heard how sick Ivory was...and offered to do whatever I could to help him help her. You can't place a price on the love and joy that these 2 ferrets give to him..and so I told him just take her to PetCare and I will take care of the bill. The vets at PetCare are top notch - not just in skill but in compassion. Dr. P is one of the best there is - and I know that she is doing everything that is possible for Ivory. I can't tell you how many times the vets there have cried along side me when I have let a shelter ferret go to the bridge..they care so much for all of their clients. I am so very sorry for the outcome - I had hoped that Ivory could overcome this and begin making her own red cells....and I feel badly that she may have so little time in a loving home. Thank you Tyler - for being there for these girls. *hugs* Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret Shelter Wench in good standing The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea" www.ferrethaven.org [Posted in FML issue 4574]