I picked up Andy's cremated remains at the veterinarian here in Cocoa today. Holding his urn in my hands further drove home that my boy is truly gone. His urn will now sit beside Basil's in remembrance of two dearly loved pets that will be sorely missed.

I will not be getting another pet skunk anytime soon. Because I poured so much of my heart into each of them, their deaths have left me so devastated that I am unwilling to subject myself to such emotional anguish again, especially after losing both in such a short period of time.

Perhaps in a year or two, when things are more stable in my life, I'll consider being a parent to another one.