In 2009, I adopted Cally from Millie Sanders in Dallas. Cally was one of the Rainbow ferrets that were sent to Millie when they stopped breeding ferrets. Cally was a tiny girl, about 5 years old, who had some trauma to her neck. She was lethargic and could barely lift her head to eat. She had to be carried over to her food and water bowls. Gradually her neck muscles grew stronger and she resumed walking. Cally always had a head tilt left over from her horrible days as a breeder. I can only imagine the existence she and the others endured. After I adopted her, Cally never wanted for anything. She had good food, soft clean bedding, toys, playmates. Even though she had a whole bedroom to wander in and lots of places to sleep, Cally preferred to keep to herself and slept on a hammock in a sleeping box. She wasn't interested in toys or playing. On the occasions when she did totter out to the living room, I went over to her and made a happy fuss. Cally would allow me to hold her for only seconds. She enjoyed her earned retirement on her own terms. She was never sick the entire time she lived with me, until a few weeks ago. Her back legs stopped working. Thinking it might be insulinoma, I gave her pred and duck soup. She perked up a bit, then declined again. Last Friday I had to help her to the Bridge. Cally was a precious little girl who was scarred by the trauma of living in a breeding facility, but led a dignified, quiet life once she was freed from there. She was a quiet joy. [Posted in FML 7424]