Each day after work I hurry home to a house filled with welcoming love. As I slip my key into the lock I can hear fidgeting from inside. I gently push the door open only to see a welcoming of fuzzies. Whichever of the fuzzies are up will quickly trot to the door, not to try and get outside but to stand looking up at me expectantly. What do they want? To be picked up, cuddled and kissed of course. I can safely cuddle and kiss three at a time and when I see more coming for my welcoming I'll set them down and grab up the others. And Pan will climb the ramp to the futon and stand expectantly watching until I walk over and bend down as he stretches up to give and receive welcoming kisses. And I must not forget how quickly Blaze will run down the hall to greet me. He wastes no time in getting to me, only for me to pick him up and cuddle him as he struggles and stretches to get away when he then races me to the kitchen where he lays on his back, short little back legs stretched out, head tilted and belly bared, waiting for his tummy tickles. And Leo will stand on my leg asking to be picked up. Then as I lavish him with kisses, his little paw pushes my face away in perfect timing as he turns his head to the side. The look but don't touch technique. And then there are the gentlest of welcomings, the ones I have to watch for. They'll lay patiently near me waiting for me to notice they are there for their cuddles and kisses. These welcomings occur every time I come home, even if I've just stepped out for 15 minutes to run to the store. And each time they last until each and every fuzzy has lovingly welcomed me home. Always a wonderfully fuzzy welcoming. hugs. tle www.ferretfamilyservices.org [Posted in FML issue 5184]