I want to thank everyone who has responded to my request for advise on what to do for Bandit. I appreciate your help. I was not able to read your emails. Unfortunately I posted too late. It is with a very sad heart that I write this tonight. I was able to have Bandit with me at work last night for what was to begin a week of nightly feedings. I only was able to do it for one night. After we got home this morning Bandit took a turn for the worse. She was very weak. She seems fine last night but this morning I knew for sure I was going to lose her today. She fought like a trooper until 1:45 this afternoon. She died in our hands this afternoon. I am only consoled by the fact that she died in my arms rather than in the cage. I already miss her terribly. She is my first to go and it's so traumatic & painful. I could never have prepared for this loss. There are so many little things that she did each day to make me laugh and bring joy into my life. We always had our babies out of the cage more than in so they are always underfoot and able to participate in our daily activities. But when one goes it makes it worse because of all the little things she did. After taking a shower, I expected to see her waiting outside the tub so that she could lick the droplets of water on my ankles & feet while I dried off. I will miss her beggin for raisins & bananas in the kitchen. I will miss her scratching at the door to the bedrooms to get in to see what's on the other side. Most of all I will miss her beautiful little bright angel face looking up at me all the time. I only had her four short years but I am happy for those special years. I rescued her from someone who didn't take good care of her and we showed her a very special life with us and for that I know it was well worth all the tears I am shedding today. I know that many who have lost their own babies before me have said to give hugs & kisses to your own fuzzies and I have always done so and cried over the losses that others have experienced. I know my words are not much different than many others but please DO give your babies all the love you can, lots of hugs & kisses and always know that you share a lot more than you realize today. They truly are very special and precious gifts that we must cherish and only get to spend such a short time with. They give so much to us in such a short life that they are true gems to treasure. Love them with all your heart while they're here. In loving memory of my beautiful precious baby Bandit. I will miss you forever. Until we join you someday...... Leann & Brian and Rikki & Tristan (ferrets) and Sambucca, Shalimar & Sylvester (the kitties). [Posted in FML issue 2624]