I think I would have to disagree with Mike about not using the FML as a place for grieving. When one loses someone they love, it is healthy to discuss what you are feeling and share your loss, and what better forum than the FML. I have never been in to doing rituals after my pet has passed on, but I see no harm in it if it helps the grieving person. I have many caring friends, probably more than most people - but there isn't a single one who could understand the love we have for our ferrets. Most of them can understand grieving over a cat or a dog - but a weasel?? (I grieve and become upset over road kill but that's another story!) Anyway, if writing about the death helps, that is one more service the FML performs. The people on this mailing list are kind, helpful, empathetic, and caring. Maybe the HSUS is right - it does take a special person to be owned by a ferret. The bottom line is that nobody is forcing us to read anything on the FML. The topics that are not of interest to me, I can skip right by - the beauty of computers. [Posted in FML issue 1428]