With a very heavy heart I must tell you all that my Maximillion has gone to the bridge this morning. For anyone who knows me knows my Max, also known as the Great White Panda Ferret Shark. Max originally came from Janis DeJesus' shelter over five years ago after the dog officer found him wandering along route 6. Some one had reported a "kitten" in the road and when the dog officer called the "kitten" a very dirty friendly white panda ferret hopped in his car. Max immediately took over my little ferret group and established himself as the Mega Alpha Male. From the first day I joined Mass Ferret Friends Max went with me everywhere. He was a wonderful ferret ambassador attending every ferret education day and even that I attended. He went to PetCo, PetSmart, two Tufts University Education Days, Ferret Picnics and Ferret Beach Parties. In the past two years he handled insulnoma fairly well even though he lost the use of his left hind leg. Lois Caselman was nice enough to send me a set of Tazzie wheels, which we were working on him using up until last week since he was losing the use of his right hind leg as well. Over the last few days he was letting me know that his time was coming near as he wasn't as interested in the special chicken gravy I made for him and was having trouble getting to the litter area. I cried and prayed over him and held him for hours and hours hoping that he would slip peacefully away, but he held on and on. I just hoped that he knew that I was near by and wasn't alone. I wish I could say that he went without a struggle, but it isn't always that way, (and of course it's always at night and on a Sunday). Dave and I bundled him up in his favorite bed this morning and brought him to Dr. Harrington as soon as they opened this morning. We were with him as he received a little gas to ease him into sleep so he didn't even feel the little needle that helped him to the rainbow bridge forever. We brought him home and Dave buried him in my special flower bed this morning not very far from the place that we had the memorial service over the summer. This way he will always be close by as he will always be in my heart. Sandee, SaraFerret, Muldoone and Nana: could you please help my Max find his way to meet my other ferrets, Bandit, Fingers, Ferret Girl, Weezy and his arch rival Smudgie. I am hoping that he knew that I was there holding him for all of those hours before we helped him to the bridge. With great sadness Diane W. [Posted in FML issue 4754]