Chuck, I am sorry to hear about your loss. I am a new listserve "lurker" and had to respond when I read your message. I too rescued an abused ferret; well neglected would be more accurate. In Dec./92 I decided that I wanted another pet (I had two cats) and decided to get a ferret. Someone at work had a sister who had one and didn't want it anymore. It was supposed to be her 9 year old son's responsiblity. Not! I went to see this ferret and that was it - she was coming home with me! She was confined to her cage all day. She had no food or water in the cage (the son forgot). He also forgot or was too busy to let the ferret out more than one hour a day. These people were the 2nd owners of the ferret. Listen to this - they had a wooden cage for her, and in it was a coat that was supposed to be her bed. They NEVER washed it and they had had her for about nine months! Well, I've had Ming since then. She is not overly active, her teeth are not in very good shape, she is quite small (lack of nutrition), but I love her and this is the last owner she will be with. In August I brought her home a ferret companion, Mischief and was dismayed at the difference between the two. (I don't know anyone else with ferrets, so I had no idea). Mischief is into everything! She will go on her leash with me for 45 minutes then come home and run around for another hour. Ming is lucky if she has enough energy to last 10 minutes outside. At first I was very concerned. Ming is not very old - probably 3 1/2. Anyway, I spoke with a vet (and yes, she has also been to one) and he thought it may have been because of her original owners (not physically very strong) and her personality - she is definately not a typical ferret! When I see the difference between my ferrets, sometimes I get very worried about how long Ming will live. I have had her for two years however and all I can do is give her as good a life as I can. Her and Mischief have the run of my apartment (they are NEVER locked up) although I do have a gate keeping them out of my living room until I come home. Their cage is clean, with a fleecy sweatshirt that I wash regularly. They always have food and water. I give them LOTS of attention - I even go home and play with them on my lunch hours. I really believe that some people should be put away and treated the same way they treat their pets. I bet they'd change their tune pretty quickly. I just wanted to say once agai that I really feel for you. They are such loving, wonderful pets and a death that resulted from someone else's insensitivity makes me angry. I know my Ming will never be a completely typical, healthy ferret, but she now has a better life and she cuddles with me and runs to me all the time, so I know she's got to be happier. Sorry for the length, but at least I finally wrote in and can now say that I am not just a lurker! Gail Ming, Mischief, & the cats (Buster and Molly) [Posted in FML issue 1123]