Inge, we share a very common bond. Our endless love of these precious little creatures. I don`t know why we do it. (Why do we breathe?) There is almost no joy greater than seeing a sick fuzzy eat again, for the first time--or seeing one who has been ill, dancing again, or seeing one who brightens up after fluid therapy--or watching one who gets out of quarantine, running with others for the first time. It`s such a joy when a weak one feels strong in your arms again, and asks to get down & play. There is no bummer much worse than losing one, despite hours of lost sleep, total commitment, and endless sacrifice. I still miss babies we lost years ago. If they lived to be 20, it still wouldn`t be long enough. What keeps us ferret people going? Knowing that we have made a difference in the life of each animal in our care. Helping to better the life of each fuzzy who comes to us for help. I am so sorry to read about all those little urns. I hope that when you are ready again, you will take in another sweet little soul who needs you. God knows there aren`t enough good humans to go around, these days :( Comforting hugs to you. Much love, Zoo ps--Our oldest resident was Old Charlie, who came to us at 10 years of age. He had been kept outside in a rabbit hutch for his first 7 years, and was moved into the garage, after his cagemate died. He had no hammies, sleepysacks, blankies or toys. Just newspaper. He was being fed cheap cat food. The owner was going to "just klunk him in the head" because he was old. The daughter, who worked at our bank, asked her dad to bring him to us. The poor ferret was adrenal, and we discovered during surgery that he was also insulinomic. Old Charlie was with us for three more years, on prednisolone--and on lupron after the disease returned in the other gland within a year. He loved life so much. We lost Old Charlie two months after his 13th birthday. Usually when we lose one, it`s like losing a child--but when we lost Old Charlie, it was like losing my grandfather. He was such a blessing. If there really is a Rainbow Bridge, I would like nothing more than to hold him close to me again one day, and kiss his sweet, sweet face. [Posted in FML 6484]