Yesterday Jeff wrote an excellent comment on letting a ferret go when the time comes. I have had that very painful decision several times. I should have helped Nibble-ed but she went on her own. Actually there were three I had to help. I had happiness for their then being free of suffering but in that same time deep despair for the loss of a valued and trusted friend. Just an aminal, but one of my family that slept with me, ate with me, and shared my home with me. They were as much a part of my life as human family. But when it comes to a point when they will never be able to overcome a problem and will suffer terribly, then that time has come to issue the gift of freedom. I should have helped Byte-me, and I went to work that day and told people that I did not expect to find her alive when I got home, and for sure that is what happened. Over the half century of life I have had, one animal of the hundred or so I have had as a pet remains my most favorite and that was Byte-me. As I type her picture is in front of me, her memories are as fresh as if they happened just now. Yup, I miss her deeply. Did I do what was correct? I don't know, is over now, but .... oh well. That is such a very hard decision to make. You will know when you have to do that. Please be kind to your fuzzy, taking the life is not cruel if you prevent suffering that will never improve. Gordon, Peekaboo and Pester Aarrow-Ranch Aviation Mechanicsville, Virginia, 23111 USA [Posted in FML 6043]