CAN WE SAY "NERVOUS BREAKDOWN"?

Oh the drama. Rocky went missing last Sunday night. I went to put everyone to bed around 11:30 and couldn't find him anywhere. Ended up waking up hubby and we both began to tear the house apart searching for him. He was nowhere in the house. We thought back and realized I'd seen him last around 8:30 when he was helping me do the dishes and we played a bit in his pirate ship. I expected after that, he went to snooze in the Hidey Hole or his hammock under our bed.

Hubby remembers coming in about that time and opening the door that leads to our garage. Our garage door was also open. Could he have slipped out then?

We were out looking for him at 2 AM and I was hanging up "Lost Ferret" signs and posting on craigslist at 3 AM. I was in shock, felt like I was going to pass out, throw up - the whole bit. Harsh words between hubby and I added to the already nightmarish situation (we were both really scared).

I didn't really sleep; laid there, dreaming half-awake. Later on, Monday morning, I thought I'd just dreamed I'd lost him. But then the cruel realization hit me that it was indeed so. No Rocky came trotting in the kitchen to beg for treats. No Rocky running in-between my feet trying to trip me. No Rocky.

I was in total shut-down, sobbing hysterically all day Monday. I had a false alarm when someone posted on craigslist that they'd rescued a ferret the same night I lost Rocky. I contacted her, and it wasn't anywhere near where I live -- it wasn't my baby.

I was freaking out because of the heat and the dogs and the fact that little ferrets can't survive long on their own in this big world. I wondered if he missed me as much as I missed him. I put out a carrier, food, water and Ferratone for him. I even put ferret poo in the garden, praying he'd catch the scent and come back.

In the evening on Monday, my husband, son and I went out looking again. I was headed toward some bushes at a house when I looked up and noticed a car that pulled up to one of my signs. The lady was dialing her cell phone. I ran up to her car. "Did you find a ferret?," I asked. "Yes, I did", she said and she pointed to Rocky's picture and said, "That's him!"

Needless to say I about peed myself and jumped in her car (no pee in her car) and she took me to her house, which was about five houses down and across the street. There was Rocky, hiding under her shed. She noticed him peeking out at her while she was mowing.

He was a bit dirty, tired, hungry and thirsty and scared. Otherwise, unharmed. I am soooo grateful. I really didn't think we'd ever find him. It's so hot, no one is outside. He would have been so easy to miss.

I had prayers and postive, loving wishes from people all over the world. It is all of that outpouring of love that helped bring Rocky home to me. I believe that with all my heart. I am just overwhelmed with the power behind all of the energy that went out to us. Thank you, a million times over.

As for the lady who found my guy, her name is Rachael and was very sweet and (hopefully) didn't think I was too much of a lunatic. She got a reward of my undying gratitude and $ 100. And now Rocky owes me $ 100. LOL!

It is so good to have my Mamoo back home again!

ONE OF THESE THINGS IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER

Rocky was in charge today. He made his rounds and stayed awake when I got home from work. Then he climbed his cage and ended up in a picture with his stuffed animals!!

He climbed up there to get his toy remote control mouse.

Duck Soup was better tonight. Everyone (except Ziggy) ate with much more enthusiasm than the past couple of nights. Ziggy is just rotten. He was having to lick the soup off of my finger for a while before he'd start eating from the bowl. OK. Tonight? He would only eat the soup from a spoon. This isn't good. He's teaching me how to feed him!!

Sleeeeepyy.

IT BE MAH BURTHDAYZ!

Rocky (looking at camera) and Ziggy in the new playpen

Rocky, Ziggy and Milo play in the new playpen

(video camera works great in the sun!!)

Today is Rocky's second birthday! He got a new playpen so he and the others can enjoy these pretty days we've been having. I found it at Petco. It was the only one they had and it was out of the box, so they gave me 20% off! Score! It needs some expansion panels, but I'll order those later. They had fun digging and exploring, but when they wanted out, it was pretty clear...(look at Rocky jumping -- he totally cracked me up!)

O tay, we wantz out now...

CUPID UPDATE:

Well, he's about the same, really. He goes back to see Dr. Dori this coming Monday to be rechecked. I'm going to increasing his feedings again, because he's not eating enough kibble in between his duck soup and he is way too thin. That is, if he ever trusts me again with the syringe...

This morning I was feeding him and the syringe was tight. I pushed on the plunger too hard and it gave, squirting half of the food into poor Cupid's mouth all at once. Needless to say, the poor thing choked and gagged and I had a heart attack. No words describe how horrible I feel about that. I'm such an idiot. I'm very concerned about his aspirating some of the food. In fact I called my friend and ferret expert, Jimi, and she told me what to watch out for (coughing, rattling in the lungs, fever). So far, he seems OK. I think we both were just very traumatized.

I got another call from a ferret friend, Noni, who works at Dr. Dori's office and also is very knowledgable about ferrets. She also eased my mind and assured me he is probably just fine.

Oh, man, I'm glad I have these people in my life. They know how to talk me down from a hysteria...Thanks Jimi and Noni! You rock!

Now, here is what I learned: Syringes get sticky after a couple of uses. Coat the rubber tip on the plunger and the inside of the syringe with a little of the soup to keep it moving freely.

Poor, poor Cupid. Like he didn't have enough trouble without me trying to kill him....

Well, I'm home from work because I have a kind of asthma called Reactive Airway Disease. I'm coughing my lungs up. I'm sooooo tired, because I can't get a full night's sleep...

HOW I FELL IN LOVE

This is Rocky (aka, Rocky Mamoo, Mamoo, Mamoozle, Rock Star, Barn Owl). He was my first ferret and will be turning two years old this coming Wednesday.

I'd never met a ferret until I was introduced to Delilah, my son and daughter-in-law's ferret. Something happened when they handed her to me -- it was as if I'd found my Spirit Animal ! I fell in love and did not want to let her go. It took some convincing, but my husband finally agreed to letting me get my own ferret.

I did a lot of reading and research about ferrets before I actually bought one. I bought the book, Ferrets for Dummies and read it cover to cover. Then I bought the cage and set it up.

I'd been looking at the ferrets at Petco (note: this is before I knew anything about rescued ferrets) and there was a certain one who I really seemed to connect with. I visited him a couple of times (only through the glass, though - they wouldn't let me hold him yet) and chatted with the Petco folks about ferrets. Finally, the day came when I was ready to bring him home. Thankfully, my little friend was still there.

I pointed Rocky out and told the guy he was the one. He took Rocky out of the tank, along with another ferret he thought I should look at, too. Rocky literally reached for me. It was the coolest thing. We both knew he was meant to come home with me!

I have never experienced a love for a pet like the love Rocky and I share. He is my sidekick, my muse, my best buddy. He speaks to me through his eyes and expressions. He can be silly, mellow, wild, contemplative. He is very smart and is a master at climbing and jumping. It's both amazing and frightening. Rocky taught us the rules of ferret-proofing, for sure. My poor husband had to build barriers and fashion blockades around appliances. Knick-knacks and candles became a no-no. Rocky taught me what happens between a ferret and a vase of flowers on the table (the ferret wins) !

Rocky can roll over, stand and (sort of) jump through a hoop. Favorite treats? N-bones, Foamy Fries, raisin Bandits and these things we call "crunchies". Oh, and Ferratone and Duck Soup. Rocky loves blanket fights and rides, running the tunnels and climbing. He's very gentle and has never bitten. He is Alpha to the rest of the business and is a wonderful friend and teacher to them all.

I sometimes call Rocky my little barn owl, because of the coloring and alert expression on his face. All I have to do is fluff the hair up on the top of his head and, ta-da, he becomes Barn Owl. He is a beautiful Siamese point sable. During the winter, his coat becomes cream-colored with black-brown legs, tail, mask and tips. As he sheds his winter coat, a black saddle appears on his back.

See the resemblance? :)

Rock Star was an only ferret for about ten months...and then I got Ziggy. A few months later, Cupid and Dave moved in. A couple of months after that George found me. And, of course, most recently, little Milo Mouse. (They call it "Ferret Math" and there is no cure) Each are unique and I have a special relationship with each one. Rocky will always be my first, however, and will always have that number one space in my heart.

Happy Birthday, Little One!