A friend of mine encouraged me to post about my dear ferret friend, Avery, who recently passed away. He was in my life for 3 1/2 years but he had a very profound effect on me. Avery helped me through a very dark time in my life, he gave me a reason to get up in the morning and he gave me hope. Along with Avery came Dancer who sadly passed away only 4 months after my husband and I brought them home of juvenile lymphoma. After Dancer's passing, Bear came into our lives. It was just Avery and Bear for 2 years before Erin increased our number to 3 and a few months later, Carlin made it four. We had a few foster ferrets pass through our home but in April of last year,5 more ferrets--a family group--entered our home and have never left. We officially adopted them in January. Now, the number is up to 9. Over 6 months ago, 3 foster ferts entered our home and probably will never leave due to health issues. Okay, we are at 12. Lucy Lu entered our lives in November, bald but beautiful. She, too, is with us forever and lucky 13--and now has fur everywhere but on the top of her head :-) If it weren't for Avery, none of our current ferret family would be here. I started volunteering for a ferret rescue to give back to Avery's fellow ferret friends what he gave me, hope!! When he died, I felt as if my inspiration to help ferrets died with him. But, with 12 remaining ferrets needing my love and care, I was inspired again, remembering what Avery did for me. I was reminded that if it weren't for Avery and Dancer, my 12 would not be with me. Who knows what their fate would have been. So, hug your furbabies close and thank them for what they have given you. I miss my Avery but his spirit will always be in my heart and my inspiration to help others. Thank you for letting me share with you. LISA [Posted in FML issue 5175]