Tonight I held Beezer and Pork Lo Mein a little tighter tonight, thinking of all the close calls-heads in patio doors, lumps under throw rugs, big fat ferret butts almost caught in the fridge door. I know Racey held no malice against you--you sound like you gave her a life most ferrets would be envious of. The important thing to remember is that your love for her is eternal, and so is her little musteloid soul. I liked your ritual to prepare her for the crossing--I cried when I read it, and I'm a big tough guy who didn't even shed a tear at "Forrest Gump" when Bubba died. When the time comes for our spiceballs, I will try to make them as comfortable as you made her. When Pork Lo Mein (given name Buster) swallowed an earplug, I thought my world was coming to an end. He came so close to dying (2-3 hrs), part of me wanted to die with him. You never think you can get so attached to a little (or big) ball of fluff, but as we all know, they have a way of touching a part of you you don't even know is there. As it turned out, he hopped away with a 8 inch belly scar and us with a $600 vet bill. I know Racey is happily chooking away in the Kingdom of Carpet and Ferretone as you read this. She probably just nipped some dog's nose : > The life we know is only one plane of existence------Stephen Hawking Kelly, Teri, Beez and Pork Lo Mein Victoria, B.C. ( a very ferret-friendly place) [Posted in FML issue 1366]