This is a story I wrote about my Ozzy that I had to release to the rainbow bridge. After reading Rachel's post about Pukka I knew how she was feeling. I had just been through it with Ozzy. He had started to lose the ability to get to the litter box and I started finding him covered in poo in the mornings and in my heart knew his time was short. I wanted him to be able to go with dignity and not pass in his sleep covered with poo. It was a very hard decision but I owed it to him. You will understand after you read his story and this is just a small part of Ozzy's gentle soul. Ozzy This is a story of the most gentle soul one could ever meet. Ozzy came into my life during the flood of 2002 at Canyon Lake,Texas. He was spotted going down the river in the flood waters among all the other debris by a man that happened to have a dip net and he was able to scoop Ozzy up and rescue him. At the time I was working at the No-kill animal shelter at the lake that I helped start several years before and this kind man walked in with this very frightened, wet ferret. Lucky for me I was the only ferret person there so I took him home warmed him up and got him an appointment with The Universal City Animal Hospital to have him checked out for any injuries. He checked out ok so we of course had to do the ADV, and start the shots because there was no history with him. We put him on Amoxie just in case of any bacteria he may of picked up from the dirty water. He was estimated to be between 4-5 years old. Ozzy began traveling with Gary and I all over the US and was sort of an ambassador in educating people on what ferrets were and their care. We started adding more to our ferret family and they seemed to be all girls and Ozzy was enjoying his little harem so much that when we tried to bring in a couple males from SAFE he ,this gentle soul would have no part of it and went into his first ever attack mode. He clearly made it known that this was his harem and he wasn't going to share. Then one day I get a call that there was a ferret down in Arransas Pass that needed rescued right away so off I go and get this little guy and bring him home. Beautiful little albino but that night I noticed something wasn't right with how he was just licking the food not eating it so of course off to the vet next morning and find out he is a very sick little boy with what was thought to be mega esophagus and ended up in the hospital for a week. They were able to save him and $700.00 and several cuss words for the idiot in Aransas Pass later he was able to come home and join the rest. Ok now remember my gentle soul, Ozzy ,except when another male comes close to his harem, well when I put Little Bitz down to slowly introduce him to the rest Ozzy went over to him, smelled him, laid down beside him and then as I am on alert to grab, Ozzy laid his head across Little Bitz's neck and just stayed there as if telling him all was going to be ok. That night they slept together and never did Ozzy every attack this new male , like he knew he needed a special friend . That is my Ozzy my gentle soul . On May 1,2008 I had to release sweet Ozzy to the bridge. He was around 11 years old, blind,i nsulnoma and adrenal. Ozzy was never sick until a year ago. He loved his cheerios and I am hoping he has a constant supply now. I have lost many, many animals in my life with my rescue of domestic and wildlfe work and my ownership of my own but never has the loss been this deep. In loving memory of Ozzy We love you Mom & Dad Buddy,Bandit,Cuddles,Little Bitz Missy,Peanut and baby Sidney [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML 5961]