Our little ferret Onyx, who was a favorite subject for Michelle's and my photography, and our companion for the last three years, passed away suddenly today after what we believe was a stroke.  
He was a beautiful little soul, but suffered from poor health from the day we brought him home.  We managed to nurse him back to health, but he may have suffered from borderline insulinoma for his entire life.  We never really noticed any symptoms, but his weight fluctuated while we had him.  Still, he always had a great energy and never showed signs of pain until this last week, when he contracted what we believe was a stomach virus.  We managed to see him through this, and he was on the mend when he took a sudden downturn yesterday.  I had planned on taking him to the vet today, but he passed away before we could get him there.  
We are both devastated to lose our little friend so soon.  
Onyx, we will miss you always, and pray you make your way across the Rainbow Bridge, and into the welcoming muzzles of all our fuzzies who have passed before you.