Dear FML friends - When I wrote the story For Dusk, I did not expect the overwhelming amount of letters that I received, nor did I intend to cause so many tears. At first I was distressed, because the story made so many people sad, but as I read through the mail, I began to realize that perhaps the tears were cathartic. So many could relate and so many shared their losses with me. So many beautiful letters. I shall respond to each of you, but I thank you all here now for your caring and loving notes. A lot of really nice people on FML - but of course, we know that don't we - ferrets usually belong to special people. It took 3 hours on Friday and over 2 hours on Saturday to read all the letters - and they are still coming in! Although I had to "shut down" for a few days to emotionally recuperate, I am feeling better now. And your letters helped. I feel a bit of Dusk will be carried with all of you as I will carry a bit of all the babies gone from many of you, with me. I am going to post out a few notes here - and than disappear for a few more days. I am very overdue in submitting my stories and an article to The Independent Voice. My editors are on my trail. For Rick and others who have ferrets gone AWOL. When you first discover your fuzzie is missing from your home - circle your house checking very carefully around the building. Ferrets usually will go around the house first near walls - much as they do when exploring a new room in a home. Then fan out in larger circles to try to pick up trail. Immediately post notices around the neighborhood and enlist friends in the search. Also, notify all nearby neighbors - and your local shelters. For Sheena Staples - You did not mention whether or not your bald tailed ferret had any other symptoms - such as an enlarged vulva or enlarged nipples. She may be in early stages of adrenal disease. However, I have also seen "rat tails" many times in older ferrets, especially after they have shed coats for summer. Seems to be more prominent in lighter ferrets - who also seem to have very pink tails. All ferrets are pinkish - but darker ferret's tails do not seem so pink with thinner hair. Keep an eye on your baby Jeanne - Thanks for your note, will write soon, my friend. In the issue before last of the Independent Voice - think it was January issue, I gave an update report on ECE or the "greenies". At that time, I commented that a few cases of vomiting had been reported in, but vomiting was still not associated with the "greenies". However, since that report, I have had a number of vomiting cases reported to me. I think that this now can be associated with the greenies. Also, the color and consistency of the diarrhea seems to have changed. Many are reporting - mucous, light yellow and deep yellow as well as green. The definitive on whether or not it is the "greenies" still seems to be that grainy or bird seed appearing b.m.'s on recovering ferrets. For Mish - two blue tatoo marks in the right ear of ferrets - is the marking of Marshall Farms ferrets. They are the only ones who can, legally, tatoo their ferrets in this manner. For Bruce - thank you for your lovely note on FML re Dusk. And I hope you do not lose your ferret to soon - it is so hard. Also was interested in your comments on Chordoma - I shall indeed get the path report to see what it says. Surgery was done by Roger Hart and not sure who did pathology. Maybe I am not remembering the prehensile tail bit correctly. You are correct - humans also have this type of tumor, called a pilonidal cyst which forms as the base of the coccyx. This condition seems to run in families. I was going to respond on the "mushy ferret" with pink around bare area -- do you think this could be cellulitis?? I have had two soft tissue infections - cellulitis - in ferrets in the past year. One was in a neutered male and quite severe. Thank God I recognized it right away - it blew up so fast. I put him on Amoxi, and Tom added Baytril to therapy when he saw it. Also had a cellulitis around incision on an adrenal surgery this year. Inflammation dissapated within 24-48 hours after starting Amoxi, but kept ferret on antibiotic for l0 day therapy. Matthew - I am so sorry for your loss of Suzie. People may think you are crazy for feeling her near you for so long - but then they can call me crazy too. I don't know why, but I still feel Dusk near me. Whether wishful thinking or not, I do think their little souls stay close to their loved ones for awhile. Regards and love to all, meg. [Posted in FML issue 1265]