BUDDY T. FERRET

So I went to the Houston SPCA tonight after I got off from work. I wanted to see this little ferret, Buddy, they've had posted on the website since December. Plus everybody on Facebook is like, "Yeah! Get him! Go for it!". I love my ferret friends....

Anyway, I went, but they couldn't find him. No ferret anywhere. So that means he was probably adopted out and someone didn't update their computer. So, hopefully, he has a forever home and is happy -- that's all I care about.

Weird story, but there was another black & white sable on Craigslist by the name of Buddy someone was trying to rehome. That posting was removed, so I'm assuming he was adopted too.

So...good news for two black & white ferrets named Buddy.

I have created playgroups for my guys...in hopes to diffuse some of the bickering and rumbling that is going on --- and attempting to avoid anymore partial scalpings. So far, it's working well. Ziggy and Milo don't have to get all worried and anxious and go aggresive on me; and the others can relax and play alittle bit without having to outrun Milo!

I'm hoping this will help socialize Smokey, too. He's one of my former foster fuzzies (now adopted by me) and cage-mate to Angel, my adrenal girl. Smokey doesn't care for other ferrets, except for Angel and Baby. And he is very protective of them. He can get a little pissy with other ferrets and tends to run back into his cage when they are out. I'm hoping that, in time, Smokey will become the caregiver to all his playgroup friends and get over his insecurity.

Well, time to wrangle them all up and get to bed!

LONG TIME, NO BLOG!

EEK! Has it really been since November that I've written?? Well, boys and girls, I have some catching up to do. First, let me say that it is 2:45 AM and what better time to catch up on a blog....

Anyway, the last time I wrote I'd rescued a little ferret named Darby. Happily she has been adopted and hardly spent any time at the rescue before she found her forever home. I'm still very involved in rescue -- admittedly I had some bumpy times with it and had questions about whether or not I wanted to continue. But my passion and love are with the ferrets. I can't abandon them or the human friends I have made. I just need to get back up when I stumble, that's all.

I think Angel had already had her adrenal surgery last time I wrote, too. Well, she's doing great in terms of energy, appetite and mood. She's still naked, even after a Lupron shot. And melatonin. Her vulva is slowly shrinking back down, which is good. Dr. Dori wants to see her again in February and I guess we'll see what she says. Maybe more Lupron? Maybe little Angel is just gonna be naked, which is OK, as long as she's healthy otherwise. She's really adorable, the little rat!

Tonight I noticed some bruising on her torso. After a couple of phone calls and a on-line chat with a friend, I went back and investigated closer. Turns out a large mast cell tumor had popped up and the other "bruising" was simply dried blood from her scratching at the spot. I felt silly for thinking she had bruises or hematomas all over her, but relieved that that wasn't it! Anyway, I but a dollop of hydrocortisone cream on it and will watch it closely.

I have another addition to my ferret business! His name is Bailey and he is a cinnamon kit, about 3 1/2 months old! He is just beautiful and a total wildcat! Here he is:

That brings me up to ten, yes ten ferrets. Every one of them is unique, each a blessing to me. I think K. will have my head on a platter if I take in any more. I probably should quit making promises that "this-is-the-last-one-I-swear".

Having fibromyalgia and CFS presents a challenge to me sometimes and these little guys have brought me so much love, joy and healing. I can't honestly say that Bailey is the "last one". I'll explain that next time....

LIVIN' IN THE BIG CAGE

In the spirit of keeping this little blog alive, I vow to write even though there's not much to write about! All the fuzzbutts are doing well, dancing and be-bopping their way through my heart on a daily basis. We still miss our Cupid McPoo and Snow Bisquit - not a day goes by that they don't enter my thoughts.

Misty has stepped in and made herself right at home and is now a full-fledged Frisky. She even shares the Big Cage with the boys and does a darn good job at keeping them in line. She's a typical little sister, with a "You aren't the boss of me" attitude that just keeps me in stitches. She's just awful about hitting anything that remotely looks like a litter box or potty pad, which has proved to be quite exasperating. Her biting habit has improved tremendously, although she still enjoys a little nip now and then!

Dave, my blind guy who has just been diagnosed with insulinoma, seems to be doing quite well on the prednisone. He is nothing but sweetness in fur who loves to nap in his varioius napping spots and then wake up and amble around the house. If you hear a small "thud", no worries. That's just Dave bumping into something. LOL! I just love him to pieces!

We went on a playdate a couple of weeks ago and Ziggy did great. No worries about him being aggressive. Not a problem. He's just a spoiled rotten little boy who dares to assert himself with certain other ferrets. Gotta love him! (And I do)

Hubby is doing an extended job out-of-town, which is robbing everyone of their run time in the mornings. I try to let them out while I get ready for work (can we say, "distraction"?), but it's only for about an hour and then they go back in their cage. Which everyone,. including me, hates, but I'm still not comfy with the free-roam idea. Maybe it's something I really need to think about though....

O MY ZIGGY...

Ziggy's mission for the night: create chaos wherever he goes.....

Mission 1: Knock over Nathan's glass of tea and see what happens. Oh, wow! Look at that! The liquid stuff goes everywhere. Nathan appears to be angry as he frantically tries to dry off his calculator and textbook. Mom is trying hard not to laugh. Mission accomplished!!!

Mission 2: Try to open the closet door by scatching on it as fast as my little paws can scratch. Return to door and proceed each time Mom removes me from said door. Door will not open. Fail.

Mission 3: Knock all the books off Mom's book shelf and spread them all over the floor. Watch Mom throw up her hands and give up. Mission accomplished!

Two out of three missions: Not too bad. Someday, the closet door will be mine......

ONE CAN WONDER

All is quiet on the ferret front. My foster girl, Misty, seems to have stepped in and made herself right at home. She has become George's friend and my special little buddy. She seems to have adopted us, if that makes any sense. I never expected it...it just has happened that way. She's so happy romping with the boys (she's a tomboy ferret), and hates having to stay in the foster room.

It seems natural that we become her forever home, but I don't know what Dana will say. I called and left a message telling her I want to talk to her about Misty. We shall see what she says.

Dave is loving the fact that he is getting Duck Soup two times a day now, with his prednisone. He thinks he's died and gone to heaven! George manages to sneak in a few licks from Dave's bowl, too.

Well, that's all going on at the moment. Until next time....
Dooks and Dances!

STOLEN: ANOTHER PIECE OF MY HEART

Misty, one of my fosters, has made herself right at home and is hanging out with the Friskies. Notably, Ziggy (the business' Chief Bodyguard) is beginning to accept her in without too much puff tail and hiss. Besides, I think Zigs has met his match with Misty. She gets right back in his face, no problem.

Yesterday evening there was quite a chase-and-pounce scene, with Misty running with a Walmart sack and Rocky and Milo chasing after her. Made me laugh out loud. Later, I found Misty curled up in the Sock Nest with George.

It's almost as if she knows we lost Snow and is stepping in to comfort us. What a beauty. Sometimes a sideways glance will fool me and I will call her "Snow"...

She still has her moments where she will bite, but it isn't as hard and I honestly think it's out of orneriness and play.

A couple of evenings ago I learned why you don't put your hand in during a squabble between two ferts. I got the bageezus bit out of my hand. No one meant to do it - it was my bad for being so careless. I got lots of kisses afterwards and learned a lesson.

BOYS vs. GIRLS

Sunny asked me if I notice a difference between the personalities of my boy ferrets and girls ferrets. Definitely! The boys are either "down to business" or just plain silly. They tend to prank one another by stealing and hiding each other's toys or pouncing a sleeping victim, waking him up and then running away. They like to romp and rough-house...their play is all boy.

The girls (for the most part) are more mellow and chill. They are quite assertive and tend to get their way. They play more gently and their games are not the rough and tumble fare that the boys like.

Of course, the similarities tend to outweigh the differences. Some love to be held and doted over. Others are always squirming the get down and look for an adventure. Some enjoy sleeping the day away in a favorite snuggle spot. Others take short naps and come out to investigate regularly. I have a girl who digs her food something awful and a boy who (loves it) digs his water. A couple of my boys are organized and neat-niks (a place for every toy and every toy in it's place, thankyouverymuch) and I have some really messy girls.

So, now that I think about it, perhaps it really isn't a difference in gender, but just a personality thing. I love that everyone of my fuzzkids is different.

In health news:

Snow is doing so well -- the medicine for his heart seems to be working great. He bounces and weasle dances all over the place and has a good appetite. This makes me so happy. He and Ziggy are learning to tolerate one another...the squirmishes between them occur less frequently, thank goodness.

I took Baby (foster girl) in to see Dr. Dori last week because she seemed a bit depressed, had some diarrhea and wasn't eating good. She was given Tylan for a GI infection and it was also discovered that she had an abcess around one of her grooming teeth. She ended up having two teeth and the abcess removed and she is doing much better. Poor Baby Girl.

Smokey is struggling with a mast cell tumor on his head. I get it almost cleared up and he goes and scratches it and makes it bleed. Ugh. He has also been threatened with a vet visit if he doesn't leave it alone! Either that, or an Elizabethian collar! (I may have to make one out of a plastic cup! LOL!) He's also shedding something terrific. Not sure what that is about, unless his little body rhythm is off. Hmm. Note to self: A check up may be in order for Smokey Bear....

My little adrenal foster, Angel (I call her Thumballenia), is just doing great. She is so mellow and gets along with everyone. Besides her fish (that is her fish, now. If she is ever adopted, the fish has to go with her), she will dig down into the shredded paper box and nap. One almost can't find her in there!

Everyone else is doing great. No more slick escapes or major dramas (this is a good thing). Now mommy jsut needs to get some sleep...but that's a whole different blog.

PLAY MISTY FOR ME

I've been letting my foster,Misty, play with my boys the past couple of days and she seems to be getting along really well. She likes to rough-house (guess she's a tom-ferret) which Milo loves! We've really taken to her -- despite her biting thing -- she is so charming and funny. She also shows a sweetness that is so endearing. Not being a ferret psychologist, I can't say why she nips. Sometimes I really think she is just trying to play. I dunno.

I agreed to not ask to adopt any of my fosters and I want to honor that. Misty is a special case though. Would Dana consider letting us give Misty her Forever Home? I'm not sure.

THE THREE

Angel
Smokey

Baby

These are my newest foster fuzzies! They are a bonded triplet and so sweet. Angel is a teeny tiny little girl with adrenal and we are waiting for surgery. Smokey is a beautiful and unusual looking male who love to give kisses in your ear. And he steals the cardboard paper towel tubes! Baby is a big, beautiful girl who is so loving and mellow.

They are all still a bit shy right now, but are starting to get used to their new home. Misty is a bit confused about what happened to Oreo and Vestia, but she's getting extra lovies and she is going to do fine with her new friends.

I want to try to save some money to help get Angel her surgery. Money is a bit tight right now, but I'd like to do what I can. She's the tiniest ferret I've ever handled. And she has a very large personality! She has no idea how little she is! It's interesting that she has a different smell than the other ferrets. I guess it's the adrenal? (Oh, yeah, this is my first adrenal ferret, too.)

As for my guys, everyone is great. Milo has learned to dook, which is so adorable. He has a cute little voice. Snow is doing well on his heart meds and you would never know he was even sick. Rocky is staying in the house, LOL! Ziggy and Snow are getting along, which is making me very happy.

Yes, life is good here at the Frisky Fun House!

IT'S A FERRET'S LIFE

All is quiet on the (south) western front. My days are packed with ferret play, ferret cleaning, ferret feeding, ferret squabbles, ferrets-being-adorable, ferret medicating, ferret calendar-making, ferret bedding sewing and washing........It's definitely become my life! And I'm having a great time!

I've made some very cool friends and I am learning so much. And I love being involved. A week from Monday, we are going to a local library to do a presentation about ferrets and I'm really looking forward to it. Usually I can't attend these library functions because they are during the day on the weekdays, so I am working. Luckily, Monday is my day off, so I can finally go!

Snow is becoming more and more social and his little personality is starting to peek through. Last night he decided he would stay under the bed and not come out for his Duck Soup and meds. Just like a two-year-old! I had to bribe him with the bowl of soup to get him out from under there.

He and Ziggy, unfortunately, are probably never going to be friends. It's a shame, but what do you do? I've come to accept the fact that, yes, there will be an occasional squabble between these two and I just do my best to diffuse the situation (meaning, Ziggy usually goes in ten-minute time outs). The time-outs are effective, by the way. Ziggy is smart enough to understand that he needs to behave and he does! So in that way, I'm proud of him. I'm trying to give him a few extra lovies, just to let him know he doesn't need to worry about anything. And, yes, Snow gets those extra lovies, too!

All the other furrkids are great. Milo, my little pet store rescue, who was way underweight and had coccidia when I brought him home is now a whopping 3.08 lbs.! Dave comes in second at 2 lbs - somethin' -- can't remember exactly.

Anyway, that's it....

MEET MY GIRLS!

Vestia - about 1 year old

Oreo - approx. 2 years old

Misty - about 3-4 years old

These are my little foster fuzzies - my girls. I adore them! Each has her own unique personality. Vestia is one we call, "The Baby". She loves to play, especially in the tunnel and rice box, and she hops like a little bunny. She's very lovie and social. Beautiful blaze markings, too. Of course, I'm attached to her. Of course.

Oreo is older and I honestly don't know if she will ever find a Forever Home because of her age. That's more than OK with me, because I have fallen in love with her. She is so mellow and affectionate. She gives the best kisses ever! Oreo is a perfect name for her because her markings are like Cookies & Cream ice cream! Oreo is very petite and girly. She loves her Princess Hammock I sewed for her! Correction: I found out Oreo was only two years old, not five. Thought she looked good for her age!! LOL!

Misty is one we affectionately call, "Cubra Cabre". She has a slight, er, biting issue. She doesn't bite me, but she bites my husband. Haha...can't help it, it's kind of funny. I totally love her. She is very assertive with my boys. When they come up to the barrier, she turns around and shows them her backside!! It's hysterical!!

My little Snow is doing great -- he has plenty of energy and a good appetite. He loves to play in the Walmart sacks. He's going to get a distemper shot in a couple of weeks, which concerns me. But it's important he stay immunized because of his condition.

I've been busy putting together a calendar for the Rescue so we can sell it for fundraising. It's been a bit of a job, but I've had a good time doing it. We are already starting to make plans for the big Pet Fest we have in the fall. The theme is Western and Rocky has already ordered his cowboy hat and bandana!

SOMETHING FERRET-ISH THIS WAY COMES....

There was no trouble between Snow and Ziggy yesterday, but I won't hold my breath just yet....

Snow is a night person (So was Cupid). He decides to get frisky and start being all cute on me at, like, midnight!! He helped me make the rice box for the rescue room last night and tried it out for me. Then he danced for me. What a doll. I'm just really glad we have him.

Tomorrow is my big day for the inspection. We have the rescue cages set up in our workout room. There's plenty of space for the rescue guys to play in there and I'll set up other places for them, too. The best purchase I've made is an 11-panel playpen -- very versatile!

Yesterday I went and bought stuff to make a rice box, a really cute cat tower with a tunnel attached, a kitty pirate ship (eeeeee!), and some little stuffed animals - one for each cage. Milo went through the sacks when I got home and stole a toy I bought. He loves, loves stuffed animals.

All of my guys are sensing something ferret-ish in the air and are all excited. It's going to be interesting to have two separate groups to deal with now, but I can't wait!!

WORLD WAR FERRET

NEWS REGARDING THE RESCUE EFFORT:

Arrrggghh! OK. This is what's going on today. I am not going to do my own rescue. Instead, I'm going to be a foster home/satellite rescue for my friend Dana (Forever Homes Wanted Ferret Rescue). This is much better for everyone: me, hubby, HAFA and the ferret-loving community. We only need to concentrate on fund-raising and other support for one rescue, instead of two. Help and funds are scant enough without the added stress. It actually makes me feel good that they were going to support me somehow, anyway, and that Dana is willing to let me be a serious foster home for her. I guess they like me, despite the fact that I am kind of loopy!

So, anyway, I bought home cages that I need to clean and set up. At first it didn't even look like this was going to happen. K. and I had a difficult discussion around the whole rescue issue. He has his thoughts and ideas -- I have mine. The sticking point was the problem of having enough space for the little guys (cages and free-roam space). Lack of communication, me getting upset and throwing my hands up in the air, saying, "Just forget it!" put a strain on the subject, to say the least. So I declared myself as being done.

Then hubby decided it's OK to sell the treadmill and rearrange some stuff in our workout room so I can have half of it for my cages and play space. So we are back on. There's lots to do and I think it's OK to be excited again....!

IN THE FERRET NEWS:

Well. It's been interesting. We've had Snow now for about 5 days now. He is getting along pretty well with everyone except Ziggy and Milo. Milo is my baby, only about 6 months old. He is Ziggy's ferret. Right now I think it's a pecking order issue between the baby and the new guy.

Ziggy is my one-year-old. He has made it his job to defend the Hidey Hole and his pet ferret, Milo. Not to mention his panda bear, his bubble wrap, his balls, his fish...etc. So he and Snow are not liking each other so much. They are fighting, with blood once (I believe it was an accident - Ziggy's foot got nicked) and poo more than once.

The poo is Snow's. At first, I though Ziggy was scaring the s**t out of Snow. But, I've figured out, that Snow is using it as a weapon!! I guess, since he can't spray, he poos! Here's hoping he gets past that little behavior....

Anyway, these two were at it again this morning. I decided I'm doing no one any favors by jumping in every time, so I stood close by and watched (just in case I saw an ear fly across the room or something). It was puff tail and scramble and rolling. Ziggy was dookdookdook-ing and Snow was screaming like a girl. They barely touched each other, really, just the neck holding that's normal. A little while later, I find Ziggy in Snow's cage, laying next to Snow and being nice (but dooking under his breath).

So there you go. Ferret behaviour 101. Fighting is normal. Perhaps even a bit of blood is normal. And poo. Our job is to make sure no body parts fall off and give lots of love, reassurance and Ferratone.

AIN'T SKEERED

These are photos from yesterday evening. Keith did this thing where we can now block off our side patio/garden area and the ferrets can go out and play. (He's just the best!) It's a long, narrow area and,of course, we are out there with them at all times. They can explore the garden, dig, go in the tunnel under the dog house...it's cool! We just let Ziggy and Rocky out last night to see how they'd like it and, as you can see, they were pretty happy!

I just looked out the window and I can see our gardenia bush has exploded with white flowers. The white oleander is in full bloom, as well. And some white lilies. White daisies, all in bloom. Cupid was white. I take all of the white blooms as a sign he is OK and his little spirit is dancing and dooking!

There is a little guy at the rescue named "Snow" (his picture is in a previous post) and he has been on my mind for the last few days. Apparently he was adopted once, but returned to the rescue when the guy couldn't afford to have him. How sad to be surrendered twice. Snow is a good little guy, very cute and sweet. A perfect match for our group. He just may be coming home with me on the 31 st....

I printed out the government forms for a non-profit status. I really want to establish my self as a very small foster home and adoption for ferrets. Hubby is kind of freaking out, I think. I see him struggle with his own love for ferrets and wanting me to be happy and his resistance to let the IRS in our business....he says he's scared. I ain't skeered. I have to follow my heart on this.

And I know he's prolly afraid I'm gonna end up with 100 ferrets, which isn't what I want. I'm talking small scale, here...like no more than 10, ever. I have a lot of work ahead of me, anyway...I'm going to attempt this without a lawyer -- the filing fees are outrageous enough without having to pay someone to do it for me on top of it. I can do it. I did FAFSA forms for both of my sons for five years. I can take on Form 1023.

And Now......The part of the blog you've been waiting for.........(drum roll, please).......

ZIGGY vs. THE BOWL OF DUCK SOUP

Damn. Again, tonight, he won't eat it out of the bowl. It's off of my finger or out of his little red spoon or nothin'. So that's what we did. Off my finger, out of his little red spoon. My plan to outwit him has failed. He is officially smarter than I am.

So wrong. Soooo wrong......

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.

ZIGGY THIEVES THE NAPKINS and other random babblings

Today I am recovering from a bad case of bronchitis and a cold. Felt a bit better, so I made the babees new bedding and cleaned cages. It's cute cotton material: Winnie the Pooh and blue gingham!
I even made a couple of fleece blankies.

Then Keith went to the store for fajita stuff. George and Ziggy decided to help unpack...

....and Ziggy stole the bag of napkins......(can you see his little face? He's trying to take the napkins into he tubes....)

I wore a mask with the fuzzies yesterday. It was miserable, but I am concerned about them getting my cold. I just hope I haven't infected them. That will so suck.

Keith planted white daisies and herbs next to Cupid today. So pretty. Two of my friends from HAFA lost their ferrets recently. It's been a sad week.

GEORGE'S BIRTHDAY

Today is George's third birthday! Happy Birthday, little fuzzy man. I'm so glad we have George. He came to live with us last November. He came from a home with nice people, but he belonged to their teenage boy who'd lost interest in him. I can't imagine...

Anyway, they posted a notice on the Ferret Association meetup board looking for a good home. They lived very close to me, so I contacted them and, pretty soon, George was ours!

He is a delight. He is very laid back and very smart. He can leap tall buildings in a single bound. He could eat a whole pack of N-bones in one sitting if I let him. When he wants a treat, he sits down at our feet in the kitchen and looks up at us and moves his mouth, like he's trying to talk. We call it "meow-meow"-ing (after the cat food commercial where the cat would sing, "Meow, meow, meow, meow...") I need to get a video of him doing that...

George loves Duck Soup and Ferratone and shivers when he knows he is gonna get some. He is a bit of a wiggle worm when held and will make his front legs like an airplane.

He gives the best kisses ever. He is a good friend to the other ferrets and to us, too. George is my sweet boy!

OH, MY ZIGGY...

My little Ziggy. He's one of my WildCatz. The last couple of days he had been very quiet and a bit needy. He wants to be cuddled and carried. He's playing, but he hasn't been doing any flying leaps onto my leg.

I get concerned when their personality changes. It's not that he's depressed, really. He's just...quiet. He switched off his Silly Button. I tend to speculate as to why. Perhaps Cupid's absence is starting to sink in? Maybe he's picking up on the fact that things are different? Maybe the "pecking order" is shifting?

He seems to be eating OK. But he has slimmed down. I know that is normal for this time of year and for his age, though. Rocky did the same thing last year at this time and I was so worried he was going to dry up and blow away! ....So I'm starting to understand their cycles....

Re: My Duck Soup made with fresh chicken and TF Complete Care mixed in ~ My blind guy, Dave, knows when I'm making a fresh batch of DS. He hears the blender and smells the smells and comes into the kitchen to check it out. He always gets a taste of the new batch. I was anxious to see how he liked the new recipe. Well....he loved it. His little tongue was on high speed, lapping it up! Too cute! I guess I got his seal of approval in the fom of tongue licks in the DS bowl!!

That's it for todays news...

OUCHIE! MAH EYE!

I got Milo into the vet this morning. Heehee, he has a black eye! It's an injury from some major rumbling, but, luckily, there's no damage to the cornea ~ just the lid is bruised. When I called for the appointment, they told me that I shouldn't have used the Trioptic-S before having his eye checked. Apparently, there is a risk of the steriod in that medicine to cause blindness if it gets in to a scratch.

Well, damn. Color me panicked. I even "Googled" information about the medicine this weekend and found nothing about that contraindication. Of, course, I never would have used it, had I known.

It turned out OK, though. In fact Dr. Dori wants me to continue the medicine for three more days. Whew....

Lesson #101,563: Be careful of what you use on your ferret, even if it's a medicine designed for ferret use and the internet says it's fine.

HANGING IN THERE

((sighing heavily))

Cupid is still hanging on, which, honestly, is amazing. He's having a hard time letting go, too, I guess. He can't walk at all, but insists on getting himself to the potty pad anyway. He deserves his dignity. He's taken to sleeping in plastic shopping bags, so Keith has him in his office with him right now, sleeping in a WalMart bag.

All my other guys are zonked out, except Milo, who is eating heartily. ((crunch crunch crunch)) It's so cute how they move their little heads from side to side when they eat...



It's all quiet on the Ferret Front.