The sun was barely up when No. 421 climbed out of his hammy. Oliver was in his room still asleep. No. 421 put the oatmeal on to cook and began to set the table when there was a soft knock on the door. No. 421 was very surprised as no one was usually up at this hour. When he opened the door, the Receiving Angel was there with a beautiful ferret the shade of vanilla and cinnamon, kissed with rose. "Well, well, No. 421 said. "What have we here? What brings you out so early in the day"? The Receiving Angel put the ferret down and spoke softly to No. 421. "This is Mugzy," the angel said. "He arrived this morning and sort of crept in under the desk. He told me his name and that he was newly arrived. That was all. Then he asked for pencil and paper to write a letter home to his Mom Sandy. Said he left rather suddenly and did not have time to say good buy." No. 421 looked at the ferret and asked if he had other family at the bridge. Mugzy was still holding his letter and said he thought he did, but he was not sure. "Well, don't worry about it," No. 421 said. "I'll tell Skye to keep an eye out. Now, about that letter. You cannot mail it, but I can get Shooting Star to deliver it for you." Shooting Star heard her name being called. She was just about to go to bed after being up all night, but she hurried to No. 421's cabin. She landed quietly outside No. 421's door and knocked lightly with one of her points. The Receiving Angel opened the door. He welcomed Shooting Star in and said hello. No. 421 invited him to stay, but he said he was just leaving anyway, and with a swoosh of his wings, he was gone. Good Morning, Son," No. 421 said. "Let's see what you have here." It is a letter to my Mom," Mugzy said. "I want to be sure she gets it so I wrote it down. I'm very sorry I had to leave like I did and I need to tell her so. Would you like to hear my letter and see if it is all right?" No. 421 said he would, so Mugzy opened up his letter and Shooting Star sat down to listen. "Dear Mom, I'm sorry I had to leave so suddenly and in the night. I heard the angel call my name, and he said it would be best if I just left and you remembered me as I was. I am fine now, but I was getting old for a ferret, and I knew my time was near. I want you to remember all the kisses I gave you, I love you so. I could tell you loved me to by the way you held me. I could feel your love in your hands. I could not tell you as I could not speak you words, but I could snuggle up to you, give you kisses from my heart. Mom, I just could not have you cry when it was time for us to part, and I did not want to go to the vet. That would have been so very hard on you. So I asked the angel to just slip down and carry me away, but not before I gave you enough extra kisses and love to hold you over till we meet again. Mom, my beautiful coat came with me, and the beautiful rose color is almost like the clouds at sunset. Here at the Rainbow Bridge, I will be able to blend in with the clouds and watch you as you go about your chores. Mom, it is really beautiful here. The Receiving Angel is a really nice man, and he said the way I came in and by hiding under his desk till I could write this letter, he would bring me to Bridgegreeter No. 421 himself. He said this was a little different greeting, but I feel welcome here. I miss you and Finny. Take care of him for me. After talking to The Receiving Angel, I guess I will build a mound for myself with extra rooms for my family. Now Mom, I must give this letter to Shooting Star, a really nice lady star who will deliver this for me. I love you Mom, I miss you, and I want to thank you and my first mom, Keliegh for taking such good care of me. I know you both loved me very much. I'll always be alive in your heart, Mom. I'll never leave you, we will be together in your heart till you hold me again in your arms." Lots of love, Mugzy No. 421's kitchen was very quiet. Shooting Star wiped a tear from her eye, and No. 421 blew his nose so loudly Oliver woke up. He toddled out and stopped short seeing the new ferret. Shooting Star took the letter and slipped out the door, and No. 421 introduced Mugzy to Oliver. Oliver said he would help Mugzy build his mound after they all had breakfast. After breakfast, No. 421 told the boys to go out and get started. The boys left to go pick out a building site, and No. 421 did up the dishes. He took down his logbook and wrote; Mission accomplished. Mugzy is out with Oliver and the two are getting along very well. He sent a lovely letter home to both of his Mom's and Shooting Star will deliver it tonight. Then he sat back in his chair. This was not your typical bridge greeting. He thought about the letter and wiped a tear from his own eye. Boy oh boy, wouldn't he like to have a Mom like Sandy. Someone to give him lots of love and cuddles. When the second tear fell, he decided to get the broom and sweep up the place. Oliver would be gone all day so it was a good day to clean. [Posted in FML 7004]