Ferrets have very short lives. I deal with that fact by telilng myself, "Wow, what a wonderful opportunity to meet and love so many individuals!" I also own birds. In contrast to the ferret, a large parrot out lives most humans. The responsibility of caring for a large parrot is much longer than with a human child. The bird-child never grows up past a 2-4 year old mentality and they are forever your charge. I will never be able to have any other big parrots except, Tika, my cockatoo. This is it. I chose her and we are stuck with each other through thick and thin. And as nice as it is to know that I will probably never have to face her death until we are both very old ladies ... I actually get sad about that sometimes! I have known so many little furry clowns in my life. Oh how I revel in my memories about each and every one of them! And I think to myself, if Baby and Rosey never died when I was a kid ... I never ever would have loved and been loved by Trixie, Slinky, Snowball, Taz, another Taz, Ping, Pong, Rocky, Laddie, Jubiliee Spirit, Smokin' Toady, Serendipity (Dippy), Gizzie-Goo (Butters), Zee, Pharos, Crackers!, and Shenanigins. And that would be just horrible. Da Wolfy [Posted in FML 6691]