Saturday's weather went from bright and sunny to overcast to high electrical storms. Sunday morning the storms passed but the earth still wept for the loss of one of its own. It was about 4 weeks ago, I received an e-mail about 2 unwanted ferrets a friend's son knew of. Would I take them in? Of course, how can I refuse. Unwanted to the point, the "previous" owner put them in a bird cage outside for the friend's son to pick them up. Cinnamon and Cocoa (sable) were tiny females. They both got along well. Loved to run dance and play. The vet said they were about 1 1/2 old. Both were healthy when they recieved their first shots. It's now Sunday, June 14, 1998, 7:3O am The storms have passed. I went in to clean the ferret room and check on all the kids. I noticed in Cinn and Cocoa's cage someone wasn't making it to the litter box. I reach in to get the two of them out. Cinn is depressed. Then I picked up Cocoa. Cocoa is is limp ! ? I desparately fix duck soup and try with everything I know to feed her. She does take in food, but not eat. I called the vet and will meet her at 10:00. I again try to give fluids to Cocoa, but her teeth are clenched. She will not take anything. I know she is looking at the bridge waiting for the gate to open. 9AM She has lost control of bowel and bladder. Poops shows dark black stool, (stomach ulcer or more), Next out comes the little bit of food she did take, but undigested. Her system is shuting down. My heart is aching as I tell her to cross if that is her Maker's desire. Wrapping her in a warm towel from the dryer and a plastic bag to hold the heat, we drive to the vet's house. The vet confirms my thoughts her moments in this life are limited. The vet checks her heart beat barely there. I ask to weigh her. She has lost 4 oz. As I lay her back on her towel, she moves her head over my finger, and puts her paw on my other hand. She is gone across the bridge to join Lami, Rambo, and Mr. Murphy. I come home and when the weather clears will return Cocoa to the earth. No autopsy will be done. It is too expensive. Cinn will be isolated and watched and pampered to ease her emptiness in the cage. Margie [Posted in FML issue 2340]