My little girl, Penny, who was the last of my adopted ferrets years ago, from the "Gimmee Shelter Ferret Rescue" went to Rainbow Bridge this morning. I knew last night she was going to be leaving me as she did not want to eat, even after giving her sulcrafate and waiting to feed her. I have been syringe feeding her to get her going and she would continue eating. I noticed she was eating less and less. Penny had insolinoma, adrenal disease and a cancer tumor that was huge and engulfing her organs. She was very bald but still got Melatonin implants and monthly Luporn shots for about 2 years. Penny came from a bad situation where she was tossed out of a window in the worst neighborhood in the MA/RI area. Someone saw Penny, grabbed her and put her in a box and called Gimmee Shelter Ferret Rescue. Jan picked her up and after all was well, she was put up for adoption. I saw the very timid little Black Roan Mitt and had to have her. Well, after having her home, she came out of her shell and became Miss Anklebiter. She was the spunkiest little girl I had ever had. She was approx 6 months old when I got her, she was just a baby. She bonded with another little male I had adopted from a want ad magazine years ago and these 2 were always together, they were about the same age. Snuffy has insolinoma, adrenal disease and a growing cancer in his stomach area which is pushing on his heart area and lungs. I had taken him in for surgery and an xray was taken and due to his lung condition and rounded heart, surgery was cancelled as my vet felt he was a very high risk for surgery. I know his time is coming too and all I can do is love him as I love them all. This is the worst part of ferret ownership, yet I do know, all ferrets that have people to love and care for them, are the lucky ones as well as us. It tends to be harder losing a sick ferret as you tend to bond with them more because so much of your time is required. I know Penny had a wonderful life here and could not want for more and that does help give me peace. Our hearts go out to all of you that have lost a ferret or have a sick one. Just remember, that these ferrets with loving homes or people who love them at shelters are the lucky ones. So many are dumped and unwanted. Thank God for caring people and the wonderful little ferrets that come into our lives. Eleanor, Donald and the 10 ferrets (missing Penny) [Posted in FML 5714]