Your love for Antigone shows in each thought you have expressed to us and in the decision you made to put Antigone to rest. I have written about my first ferret Hun-Hun and how I had to make that decision. It was one of the hardest thing I had to do in my life. You can never prepare for that moment when you hold the life of an ill ferret in your hands and then decide to give that ferret peace when you know he will never be well. Victoria, I also spent many sleepless nights trying to coax Hun-Hun to eat and drink. I held him many days and nights just talking and stroking him and trying to send my healing thoughts to him. I would wake each day hoping that he would be better and at the same time knowing he wasn't and wishing he would pass away painlessly in his sleep. When he did not leave me on his own, I knew I had to help him. Thank you for relating your experience and feelings in regards to Antigone. I know it was a very painful decision you had to make, but it was brave and loving one. I hope other ferret owners can learn from your story that it is never a easy situation to face when a loving pet gets sick. Unless a person has been confronted with such a difficult decision to put an animal to rest, one can never know how hard it can be. With sympathy for your loss, Judith Gallipeau. [Posted in FML issue 0754]