Yesterday, (08-21-09) we said goodbye to another of the areas unwanted ferrets. Her name was Sophie, and at 8 years of age, you could not ask for a sweeter creature to throw away. She came to us almost 1.5 years ago, the victim of a couple that didn't want, couldn't afford, and didn't have the time for her. Sophie was in the advanced stages of Adrenal Disease, having hair only on about half of her body. She also seemed to be bumping into things when she was walking around the shelter. We asked her owner how long she had been blind, and they were shocked that she couldn't see. Sophie was always a single ferret, so was not used to other animals being around her. And the fact that she couldn't see them, made it hard for her to get to trust them. She would always attack first if they got too close, before even seeing if they were friend or foe. With few exceptions, she spent most of her time with us as a single ferret. There were times that we had other geriatric ferrets that she would eventually cuddle up with, but after they died, she was again left alone. We spent extra time with Sophie, and enjoyed the times after she had her soup. After we fed her, she would always wipe her face on the rug, and then she would come to find you and climb up into your lap for cuddle time. She would stay with you as long as we would let her, and she would spent most of that time grooming herself, or our hands. When she wasn't grooming or giving kisses, she was chasing her tail. Every time she tail would come into her "view" she would go after it with a vengeance. She would give it a quick "groom", and then go back to cuddling. For the last month or so, she had given up on our cuddle time. Feedings were becoming more of a chore than an enjoyable time for her. She would begrudgingly take her soup, and then get down. After cleaning her face on the rug, she would not come back for cuddle time, she would just find her blanket and curl up. That's when I realized that the end was near. When enjoyable things are no longer enjoyed, and it's obvious that the body is tired and giving up, it's time. Dr. Sandra came out to the shelter, rather than having us bring her to the clinic. She was trying to minimize the stress on a 9 1/2 year old ferret, that a car ride would surely cause. After giving Sophie a sedative to help her relax, and giving us a few more minutes together with her, Dr. Sandra gave her the release she obviously was waiting for. Sophie drifted away from us, to a better place where she will be able to see again, won't have anymore hurts, and will not be thrown away again. Goodbye my little angel, we love you and will miss you! And leave that tail alone, it your friend again. Please help her to find the rest of our kids that are waiting for us, and help her to make friends with them. She was too sweet of a ferret not to have friends! Jim Kennedy, Director Ferret Rescue of Maine A State licensed, 501c3 Non-profit shelter. Donate to shelter ferrets by clicking igive.com/from [Posted in FML 6433]