Athena, the adorable mascot for the Ferret Corner of Kit's Kats passed 2/5/04 due to an illness.  I will not take her down or remove that Ferret Corner, it will stay up forever in honor of her and if any other ferret's make it their home she'll watch over them.  Everyone here at Kit's Kats sends our deepest, most heartfelt sympathies to Mary for her loss.  I adored knowing Athena for all these years and I am very sad to hear of this news... may she live on forever in our hearts.
~Webmistress Kit~
Following is the note from Mary... it was so heartfelt and beautiful I could think of no other memorial note more fitting.....

I lost athena last night. She was at the animal hospital for two nights and
I thought she was getting better. The doctor called and let me know her
condition was getting worse, so I drove straight there and stayed with her
for 8 hours holding her before she passed on. She seemed to die peacefully
and it felt like she made the decision to let go herself. I held her the
whole time until the very end when the doctor put her on a respirator and I
petted her while her heart got fainter and fainter.

She was the best little ferret and meant so much to me, I can't tell you how
completely devastated I am. She was a lot more then just a pet to me. There
will never be another one like her, she was a ray of sunshine in my life and
life will never feel the same without her.

~Mary~

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet
goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run
and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and
comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we
remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each
miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops
and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body
quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green
grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy
kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and
you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from
your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....