I have been trying for the past few days to find the right words to tell you about my Pie O Pah, and what I found is that while I have the words, I can't seem to put them to paper (so to speak) because each time I do and I reread what I wrote, I find that it fails to describe just what this wonderful, furry fellow meant to me. Seven years ago, my friend Mariel and me went into our local pet store to simply "look" at the ferret baby's (yeahrightsure) and we saw these two, tiny, little albinos. One boy, and one girl. We both reached in and picked them up and the first thing this little boy did was kiss me. Now I don't mean a nice little lick, but a full ferret facial - OH it was love at first site and he came home with me, as did his sister go home with Mariel. We found out that Pie O' Pah was part Spiderman and part Flying Welenda when he easily sailed over the 2 foot fence I had made for their room. We made several more "attempts" (insert laughter here at our naivetĀ, as well as several more trips to the Lowes) before we found out that at 34", he could no longer fly over it, but if he could find something in which to launch himself from, he could still get over the ferret fence. Hence forward he was known as "The Olympian Ferret". He was forever surprising me, and not with just his prowlness, but with his sweetness and those ever so wonderful kisses. I especially loved his coat at winter time, because it always came in so thick and lush and so magically soft. He turned 7 on the 11th of September, a long life in ferret years, but never enough time for me, well for any ferret parent that is. I knew he was leaving, just knew it, because after 11 years you kind of know these things. He had slowed down a great deal over the last month and then he got to where he let me know that he didn't want to be force fed anymore and so I did the best I could with the last week of his life. I made him as comfy as possible, I spoiled him with his most favorite of forbidden treats (red licorice) and I carried him everywhere I went. The night before he passed away I brought him into our room and held him close and I cried, because like I said, I just knew. I gently rubbed behind his ears and under his chin and I talked to him. I told him just how much I loved him, and how blessed I had been by having him as part of my life. I told him that if he was ready to go, that he could, that he didn't need to stay because of me. He, in return gave me the very last kisses I would ever get from him and then went to sleep in my arms. When it was time for everyone to go to bed, I put him in his and try as I might, I just couldn't sleep. I kept going out into their room, to see him, to touch him, to cry and to be there, because I didn't want him to be alone. Finally, at 5 in the morning my body forced me to sleep and when the alarm woke me at 5:30 I ran out there and found he had gone. And I cried. I cried for a million different reasons, most of them selfish ones, but I was at least at peace with how he passed - quietly, in his sleep and after he had been given loads of love by myself, my husband and our son. Nothing ever makes this better or easier but time, wonderful Bridge Greeters and those devoted, compassionate ferret parents who take time in their busy days to read of our looses and respond with kind words of love and comfort. So Pie, I give you a song, one I borrowed and changed so it will always be yours... and just know my Pie-Pie, you will ALWAYS be my favorite guy-guy. Fly, fly little Pie Fly beyond the big blue sky The softest cloud, the whitest dove Upon the wind of Summerland's love Past the planets and the stars Leave this lonely world of ours Escape the sorrow and the pain And fly again Fly, fly precious fuzzy one Your endless Journey has begun Take your gentle happiness Far too beautiful for this Cross over to the other shore There is peace all one word But hold this memory bittersweet Until we meet. Fly, fly do not fear Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear Your heart is pure, your soul is free Be on your way, don't wait for me Above the universe you'll climb On beyond the hands of time The moon will rise, the sun will set But I won't ever forget Fly, fly, Pie darling Fly, where only angels sing Fly away, the time is right Go now, find the light. I love you and miss you more then words can ever say. Mom And then we were 9 [Posted in FML 5737]