I was waiting for some information, but have decided to go ahead and share this as I do not know how much longer it will be. Many of you know about Rocky Bobbles, the little guy Lisa Leidig saved from certain death with her heroic measures. For those who don't, it is a wonderful tale and she deserves more than can possibly betold. Anyway, he had what we think was meningitis as a kit and as a result, always walked with a tilt to his head and a wobble in his step. He could not hold his head up straight and it would roll backwards. He was such a cute kit trying to be a big boy. He took a flight from NC to TX and joined the Poop-in-the-Corner Gang, led by my Honeyboy, Shadow. He fit right in with his big ol' self. Rocky was about 4 months old when he came to live with us. He left suddenly for the Rainbow Bridge on August 8 and was not yet 4 years old. It always seems to be a week when things are going on that you lose them. Sammy was wasting away to nothing and I was feeding him every 3 hours and medicating him twice a day. I was so afraid that I would lose him. Wednesday we went to the vet and I thought I should probably take Rocky and get his bloodwork rechecked as he had just recently been on antibiotics. That night I was upstairs in the room with them and he suddenly sneezed several times. He got up and went across the room and used the litter box. I heard him sneeze again several times HARD and then lie down on the floor with watery eyes. I picked him up and loved on him and noticed his nose was cold, but didn't think too much of it because of the sneezing and the a/c. I looked at his gums and thought they were a little light, then put him in the cage to observe him. I called a friend who runs a shelter and is brilliant and we talked about him (I had already checked with the vets in the area and nobody felt comfortable seeing a ferret). I checked on him again about 15 minutes later and decided to go ahead and head for Tufts (where everyone would have sent me anyway). I left about 10:30 and about 10 minutes before I got there he took his last breath. I was just shocked and devastated about losing my baby boy. So full of life - and suddenly gone. Talk about confusion, grief and guilt all rolled into one. I did know, however, that we had to have a necropsy. There were too many unanswered questions. One was answered the next day. Rocky had a tumor on his liver that ruptured and he bled to death. No, I could not have foreseen that and, even if I had, we may not have done surgery. I don't know. Too much uncertainty to know what we would have done - if we had known. So, my little wobble Bobbles is no longer here. He is wandering around at the Bridge, probably chasing a butterfly or trying to stand on his hind legs - something he could never do here. I don't usually tell everyone when I lose a ferret, but Rocky Bobbles just lived with me. He belonged to everyone who knew his history. I just wish the dash could have been longer (2004-2007). My little bobblehead was such a card. He had NO manners! lol Had no idea that there was anything like a pecking order and was quick to the dish, with no qualms at all about knocking down any little old lady in his path. lol He just did not realize that there was anything like dominance. He was not the brightest bulb in the box. He was a hoot. If you held him up his head kinda rolled around and he could not lift it up. He was a big ol' cuddly bear and always wanted down to play. He slept in the middle of the floor and shunned covers or sleepsacks. He would hang out of a hammock or toy car with his head at a strange angle! Rocky loved to eat. Lisa spoiled him on chicken breast and while we were in South Dakota this summer, discovered that the boy LOVED bison -- straight, with NO hamburger in it, please. He would always run up to my plate and steal food. On many occasions I would be involved in a tug of war over my dinner! The only thing he really did not like to eat was fish. But, he wanted to steal it, by golly! He would pick it up and hold it in his teeth with his tongue pulled back and his lips curled so nothing touched it. Head held high, he would prance off a few steps, drop it and try again to pick it up without touching it! It was so funny to watch him. Last year, after Shadow and Maggie Mae died, Rocky was my longtimer at nearly 2 1/2 years. Sammy and Jersey were both more than 6 years old, but it was Rocky who was feeling the need for leadership. He had never considered anyone to be an alpha, but his big brothers and sisters had always been there. He wasn't sure what to do. But, he eventually was able to accept his role and, even though he didn't become the alpha boy, he did accept the new arrangement. When Odie joined us a couple of weeks later, Rocky played with him like he had always been there. Rocky traveled to Toronto for the IFC Ferret Aid 2006 Symposium and to Oregon for the Portland Symposium. He assisted Joel Vanderbush in his presentation on educating ferrets and stood with SuperTonks as he pledged himself to Miss Isabella Gucci -- even though he hated that tux! Rocky was a love and he will be missed. Even through the tears I have smiles. And, I know he is not bobbling now. Thank you for allowing Rocky to be a part of your lives. If we get more answers about his rocky start in life, I will share that with you. renee It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who gets the credit! "The most effective way to do it, is to do it." Amelia Earhart Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.) http://www.ferretemergency.org [log in to unmask] International Ferret Congress http://www.ferretcongress.org American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org [Posted in FML 5712]