I've been owned by ferrets for the past ten years. In the ferret world now days, that's not very long. I've only lost four of my babies so far. In the ferret world, that's not a lot either. Our first pair came from a 15 year old girl with no time to devote to them. They were Holly and Michael. We didn't know much about ferrets and unfortunately lost Holly to an accident involving a dresser. She was about two. By then we'd added Rocky, the love of my life. He was given to us by friends who got him from some of their friends. They thought we'd be able to devote more attention to him. We did and I made him the promise to be his Mommy forever. I did that. We then added a beautiful albino girl which we named Sno. She was nine months old and a biter. My daughter calmed the biting down and she gives us the most kisses. Our neighbours' daughter gave us a petite silver mitt girl we named Lucy. She was given up because her family didn't want to include her in their new house when they moved. Lucy had advanced adrenal when she came to us. We were able to love her for around a year before I helped her to the Bridge. We had already lost Michael to a bowel obstruction. We thought he passed all of it, we saw some of it passed at the vet's office, but he didn't and later died in my daughter's arms. He lived in her heart and still does. And my precious Rocky, he had inoperable adrenal and insulinoma. He was on pred. for about a year. He passed on the way to the vet's to be helped to the Bridge. I like to think he was saving me from the pain of going through with the shot. Since they were all "rescues" with limited information our estimates of age at the time of death are: Holly was about two, Michael was about three and a half, Lucy was about five, and Rocky was about six. Sno is still with us. She's about seven. She's never had anything requiring surgery. She's currently finishing up her meds for Helicobacter, her only illness. We also have Pooh, who's four and using Meletonin implants for adrenal control. Lexus and Maggie, who're one and a half. Maggie is also using Meletonin implants for suspected adrenal. Anna-Belle, Scarlett, and Blaise are all six months and younger, from pet stores. Princess is a two year old rescue. All are and were Marshall Farms except Sno who is Path Valley. I feel like our experience is pretty normal. We know so much more now. I know we did all we could for our four babies. Even Holly, because at the time we hadn't known about the potential for disaster. Consider yourself blessed if you've had a baby stay with you for eight or more years. Many think they are prone to disease and such, but are they really? Think about their shortened lifespans. Dogs and cats usually live to be well over ten years with some living over fifteen years. Ferrets pack a lot more health problems into a shorter lifespan. I know for sure all of mine, living and at the Bridge, have brought me so much joy and happiness. It has always been worth the pain of their loss. Give your babies hugs and kisses, Christa Sno, Pooh, Lexus, Maggie, Anna-Belle, Princess, Scarlett, and Blaise Missing Holly, Michael, Lucy, and Rocky (Bubbie) [Posted in FML issue 4795]