"Reet" I agree with you to a point, Yes that is instinctual behaviour for wild animals hide/burrow when the are sick or dying, because they are prime targets for predatory animals. But I dont think that domesticated animals are going to pretend they are ok so the family cat wont eat them. Animals are pretty stoic about pain.. especially dogs. I a have not had the misfortune of an injured ferret, and hope I never do. But when an animal is terminally ill and has stopped eating and the "spark" has gone out of their eyes, Then that would be a time to put them down, but if that same animal is STILL eating and pooping and has got some of the spark...I would not put it down. Sometimes I wonder about Phoebe...she spends most of her day sleeping..now what kind of life is that..but at 3:15 in the morning..almost like clockwork, I feel her scamper across my face..hear her cruise the room and find paper bag to play in for 15 minutes, til Louis cant stand it anymore and gets up. I know she is old and the insulinoma is going to kill her, but right now she has quality of life, and i spend as much AWAKE time with her as possible..even if that means 3:15 in the morning. just my opinion June Louis and the zoo [Posted in FML issue 2808]