My sweet baby is 7, and I know time is not on his side. He has adrenal/prostate problems and is on Lupron once a month, while I save for his surgery. This AM I found a large squishy lump in his tummy, rushed him to the vet, the XRays are not definitive. It's very large, but too high to be his bladder or adrenal, they are thinking may an enlarged kidney if his urine is backing up..... or it could be something else..... They are doing bloodwork today, surgery is tomorrow (Wed) at 8am, unless the bloodwork shows kidney failure, then all I'll be able to do is say goodbye. If surgery starts, and they find the worst, and he shouldn't wake up, they will call me at work (and yes, I have to go, am looking at $1300, single female, the usual mortgage and truck pyment) In fact the truck is in the shop now (when it rains, it pours), and my daughter had to take us to the vet's. I should get it back tonight. PLEASE keep my sweet sweet baby in your prayers!! Rikki is my first ferret, got him as a rescue, he plays, dances, does not bite, loves to give kisses, plays in the shower with me, comes when he's called, and loves Cheerios. I m not ready to send him to the Bridge, but all I can do is cry.... Supposed to be at work now, but I don't know if I can sound perky on the phone when my heart is being ripped apart. If anyone has some positive energy they can send or a hotline to the Almighty, this is where my baby is http://www petcarevabeach.com/ . All I could do was cry at the office as Rikki looked me dead in the eye, and started licking my nose, like he was saying Goodbye Mom, but it's ok, and the lady vet (Dr. Fox) had to leave the room, too. I left him there so they could do the bloodwork, but maybe i should have brought him home, said screw work for today, and just stayed home with him, but I was afraid that if he couldn't pee, I wouldn't be able to get him back there. Mommies shouldn't have to face these horrible decisions when their kids are sick... and the guilt is killing me.......... Rikki, Rikki, mommy loves you, be strong my little boy, be strong...... I love you so much!! Jane and the 2 girls at home - BeBe (who has lymphoma through her body, and is on Pred.)and FiFi :```((( Join Care2.com's Race to Save the Baby Seals The Animal Rescue Site needs your help in feeding previously abused animals who are now living their lives in a protective sanctuary or are awaiting adoption! Help feed tens of thousands of animals every day with a simple click, at no cost to you. Visit http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com today! Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals. Especially for the animals who are suffering; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity and for those who deal with them, we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful. written by Albert Schweitzer [Posted in FML issue 4860]