For those of you who have been able to keep track of the ongoing saga of my life I have but more bad news... My very first ferret meiko who lived to be a long and up until now healthy life of 10 years passed to the bridge today. I put him to bed last night and he seemed fine...giving me my usual kisses...today when I checked in on him he was on the bottom of his cage and had passed a small amount of black stool. Off to the vet we went and when the doctor palpatated his stomach found a mass...He said it felt about half the size of a golf ball.....he was almost gone by the time we got to the vet and so he was helped to the bridge. I wish he would have just died peacefully on his own but I also knew he was suffering and I could not let it go on...he died with me telling him about the bridge and all his bridge buddies that would be helping him...I wish I would have seen something in advance but nothing....no warning signs at all!.....this happened one week ago to the day and hour that my cousin committed suicide and I am still in disbelief over that situation. There has been too much death and sadness again this year and it isn't even over yet plus my house is in an uproar due to having a new bathroom installed. Meiko was my very first ferret and was actually given to my daughter when she graduated from ninth grade. I have not told her yet and am not looking forward to doing so tonight. Please keep us all in your prayers as we continue on and I will send my prayers to those who need them... dooks and love... Marla [Posted in FML issue 5301]