I am not sitting in judgment of you David, as it is not my place to do so but I do not understand how it is possible to give up on Vinnie. Yes, I did read your information on your brother and his health and also your trip to the ER but I do not understand how you can just write Vinnie off. It would seem to me that finding Vinnie would help both you and your brother. If your brother is not able to help looking for Vinnie because of his health than so be it, but are there not others including yourself that can? If you feel that you have to give up for whatever reason, can you not contact a ferret shelter or others that could go to the Lumber Yard and try to find Vinnie. Surely Vinnie is worth that. If you saw him once, surely it would be possible for a group of people to look for him with whatever you know he likes food, toys, whatever. That's great that you know where he is, meaning location in the lumber yard - that's a plus right there. I guess the bottom line is, if you do not feel you are going to continue the search for Vinnie than is there not someone out there that will. I think it would be very difficult for you and your brother to have to give up knowing that maybe, just maybe something other than giving up could be done to find Vinnie. I don't think it is a big deal that he is riding the lumber yard of mice, etc. - he cannot survive the weather elements and I assume he was raised as a pet not an outdoor hunter. Bottom Line - If you cannot do it, then find someone that is willing to look for and find Vinnie. Surely there are ferret lovers out there that would be willing to save Vinnie. Cindy [Posted in FML issue 5113]