In Warm Remembrance of an Old Friend

April 2001:            Floyd was a gentleman. He only occasionally nipped toes. He cleaned beards and eyebrows. He kissed foreheads and noses courteously. He could wardance with the best of them, when he danced. But it wasn't often. Floyd was not a healthy ferret.            We got Floyd and his sister Millie in May 1998, hoping we could provide a loving home with more attention than they'd had at their old place. Floyd brought an ear infection with him that just wouldn't stay away. 3 years, 4 surgeries, and half a dozen antibiotics later, Floyd's ear and surrounding area were still infected. He had lost his entire inner ear to it and could only hear from one side, and walked with a list due to vestibular imbalance. He developed a cataract in the eye closest to the infection. In April 2001, we gave up. We couldn't beat the pseudomonas infection, and we could no longer give him the quality of life he deserved. He went to sleep in my arms in April 2001. He is sorely missed, but we're glad he can be carefree, pain-free, and ferrety at last.

Floyd in the box.

Millie and Floyd curled up together, shortly before he left us.