My story, is that BIG, patiently followed right along with so many FML'rs a few years ago, when I lost my Epimetheus aka Eppy. Yes, my E, Eppers, Eppy, Epimetheus. I saw Tanya's post this morning, and right along with her, I still to this day, recall those gut wrenching days of searching for him, and yes, the tears still flow, easily. I know, that there are many ferret parents out there with babies still missing, there are those who nightly do head counts and dispense nitey kisses and give thanks for one more day, to share with them. Safe and home. Sorry, I am a lousy writer, but I just wanted to tell everyone including BIG, just how much I appreciate all the thoughts, prayers, and emails that I read, received, and those that just quietly kept vigil while I searched for Eppy. Wonderful group of people here, we all have our moments, as was mentioned, no one is perfect. I of course, wasn't at the LV Symposium. I was at home, reviewing the messages on my answering machine, and especially a call from the local Humane Society, that some one had brought a ferret in and they felt that he may well be the one I was looking for. I had to wait another day, to find out, because they were closed when I got home from work , the following work day was the longest I ever was obligated to an employer. I have been repeatedly told about the event following BIG's announcement that Eppy was home. I truly wasn't aware of the captive audience, that I had, I was just pouring my heart and soul out to the only people who I believed would understand, what I was suffering through. I realize, most of all, that I did not suffer alone. My unfortunate?, family did not know what to do with me, those weeks during his absence. You people did. You patiently let me post, sent up prayers, gave encouragement, and advice, and most of all shared my path, with empathy. Joanne Ruffner, with the help of Kat Parsons had put together a NeverForeverLand page,(it may seem like an eternity, but it is neverforever) for some day we all would be reunited) for everyone to read, to post to the share their stories in. Please if you haven't, read, didn't know, have a lost one, whatever , or are even just interested in learning what you could do, if that scarey event should happen in your home. Visit Eppys place, at NeverForeverland. You can even see a picture of Eppy himself, there!! You can find it at <http://www.geocities.com/neverforeverland> I have read many stories of joys and sorrows here, in the folds of the fml. I have had good visuals with the funny ones, and heartache with the lost and Rainbow Bridge babies. Squeak, have your mommy put your story there too! Please. Eppy says so....we are so glad to read that Squeak is home!!! ANYONE, who has lost and found or lost and is still missing! Please add your stories here. These moments will never go forgotten. I am forever grateful to all and many who were so supportive, during my search. Eppy is happily scritching at my pant leg, DEMANDING raisins still today. He is back to his former self. The first few days home were iffy, he was rather reserved, would come to eat slurry, and then immediately return to the safe quarters of the bedroom. I cannot begin to fathom, what it was like for him, he is not telling. I just know that he is home. Each day that I see his prescious face, I am thankful for everyone who cared enough. My life is not so busy, and full, that I cannot remember to give thanks for the good things that come my way. It was in losing a little girl, that I was given a wealth of information and fellowship. It was in losing our Athena, her sacrifice, that brought us to the FML. She sadly passed away from shelter shock, something I wasn't aware of in ferrets, I was pretty new at ferrethood. We still miss this wee little sable girl today. It has been 4 1/2 years now. Sorry, for such a long winded post. Many regards Epimetheus aka Eppy and mom.... Kenosha, Wisconsin [Posted in FML issue 4604]