BUTTERFLY COCOONS AND SPRING FLOWERS

Another meltdown on Saturday evening. Cupid is being braver than me. Now we are having to go to the "second level" of syringe feeding. Just a couple of days ago, Sensei was freely taking his soup from the syringe and I even teased him that he was getting spoiled. Now I have to push the food. Dana taught me how to do it and it isn't a cruel process or anything. It's just that I have to scruff him and put him in a football hold. It's me, being more of an assertive, "Eat-Your-Meat-Or-You-Can't-Have-Any-Pudding" ferret mom. He's taken in one and 3/4 of a syringe so far today (about 20 cc's), so that's good.

He's back to not drinking water on his own, either, so I'm having to give him Pedialyte and water with a dropper. He's so weak, he can barely get himself to his potty pad.

We are trying to make his life as comfortable as possible. He gets gentle hold times and walks (we walk, he gets carried) outside to see the Spring flowers and butterfly cocoons. We talk to him and tell him it's OK for him to go. I sense that he is being pulled between two worlds, now. I imagine that he dreams of the Rainbow Bridge.

When I hold him to feed him, Cupid and I are face-to-face. His little eyes, dark ruby, are filled with soulfulness. There is definitely a connection. He has the longest canines I've ever seen in a ferret. The tip of one of them broke off the first week I had him! This gives him character, I think.

Today I took Cupid's footprints and I think he was afraid I was trying to poke him for a glucose! I'm sure he thought I was crazy...

In other ferret news:

Whoo Hoo! We went outside this morning - a beautiful day - and played in the playpen (they played, I watched). Rocky's coat continues to change and he now has this awesome stripe-thing on the base of his tail. Must get a pic.

I went to the rescue yesterday and took some photos of a calendar I'm going to put together to help raise money. I always love going there! There are ferret fanatics (like me), and I am learing so much from them. Of course, there are lots of adorable ferrets to love on! Always, when I get home, my guys sniff me and look at me like, "Mommy! Were you cheatin' on us??!!"

One of my guys got into my mom's purse last night and stole her sunglasses. She thought that was great!

Blogging makes me sleepy. Time to go do Duck Soup. More to come....

HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR WEASEL TODAY?

The fuzzies are kind of quiet tonight. I went and got Cupid and told him I wanted to hold him for a minute. Gave him some Ferretone so he'd linger in my lap. It lasted two minutes, perhaps, before he wiggled to get down. He's never been real big on being held, but he's become even more crabby about it since he got sick. Well. He gets lovies whether he wants them or not!

Dave wouldn't have any of Cupid's grouchiness tonight. He found Cupid, woke him up and pushed him out of his bed. Then Dave proceeded to "pounce" Cupid, inviting him to play. (Pouncing in Dave and Cupid's case is more like slowly climbing, but their intention is that of pouncing). Cupid ignored Dave. Dave pounced (climbed) on Cupid again. Cupid ignored. Finally Dave lets out this big, loud, "KECK! KECK!" Cupid went into the Hidey Hole.

And that was that.

Tomorrow is National Ferret Day! Hug a Weasel ! We (some members of the Ferret Association) were in the Houston Chronicle's Lifestyle section today with a very nice little article about ferrets. Also, on the Chronicle's website, is a photo gallery with some pictures. I was all excited and was showing some people at work. One lady said she thought I needed help because I'm "obsessed". Ugh. Whatever.


Several people have notified us that they need to find a new home for their ferrets. The rescue isn't taking anymore in right now (temporarily), so it's hard to know what to tell these folks. I keep telling hy husband that I'm very serious about starting a rescue. He's OK with it for a future goal, but now isn't the time. I thought of approaching the people that are doing the rescue I'm volunteering for and seeing if we could work together and expand the current one. We both live on the north side of Houston, but on opposite ends...so we could cover a broader area. We'd still be raising funds for just one rescue, instead of two separate ones. Don't know what anyone else would think about it ~ just an idea I've had.

Anyway, here's good link if you'd like some ideas on how to help out your local rescue:

http://www.sjferret.com/100ways.html



My ferret rescued me....

(photo: George)

CONSIDERING DAVE

(OK. So, I decided to give someone else some blogtime and give poor Cupid a break...)

Meet my little guy, Dave E. Bear. Dave is Cupid's BFF and is just about the sweetest, most gentle fuzzy ever. I brought Cupid and Dave home from the rescue I volunteer for. At the time, the rescue was getting full and needed some space, so I took them in to foster.

It didn't take long before these two guys stole our hearts (and our socks). As a Christmas gift this past Christmas, I officially adopted Cupid and Dave. It was the best gift ever!

Dave and Cupid came from a home where their owner was a young girl who was leaving for college. The girl's parents didn't want to care for these two, so they were surrendered to the rescue.

Dave is almost 5 years old (approximately) and is a big, beautiful black and white sable. He is a Marshall's ferret and a Gemini :0) . And, Dave is blind. I don't think he was always blind - it must have been a progressive degeneration of some kind. When we first got him, I noticed he slept with his eyes open. Then I noticed he ran into things (poor baby). Now he gets around so well, you'd never even know he couldn't see. He has an amazing nose and can smell Duck Soup a mile away!

Dave E. Bear's favorite things are eating Duck Soup and then sitting in my lap afterwards to wash his hands and feet and stretch. He loves snuggling in one of his favorite sleep spots and snoozing, playing in sacks and slo-mo wrestling with Cupid (seriously, it's funny).

He is learning to tolerate baby Milo's sudden pounces and piggy back rides. When he has to, he can hold his own in a rumble.

Dave is the essence of pure goodness and unconditional love. He is a good sport and is so patient with himself and with others. He is a peaceful little fellow and he had brought so much healing to me.

He is a beautiful boy and I love him deeply !!

A BETTER DAY

I've seen an improvement in Cupid over the last day. He started drinking water out of his bowl on his own (EUREKA !!!). He is also up playing some of his favorite games (sack and ball). He seems to be much happier and more comfortable. He's even tolerating baby Milo's pounces and piggy-back rides.

He's taken a couple of tiny bites of his kibble, but I'm still giving him the Duck Soup with Carnivore Care mixed in. This morning he asserted himself and refused to eat the soup, so I don't know if he's finally getting tired of it or he's wanting back on his original schedule. :? I moistened his kibble a little bit before I put him to bed last night and, although it doesn't appear that he touched it, I believe the Lasix has finally started working and he may be on the cusp of getting back to his old self again. (Every night when I put him to bed I say a little prayer that he'll get better!) I'm anxious to get home from work today to see if he ate, and I pray that he did !!

The other five fuzz-guys are just being so sweet with him. They go check on him, cuddle up and sleep with him and groom him. They know their Sensei is feeling bad and it is so moving to see them try to comfort him. (photo below: George is clearly worried about Cupid)

I continue to cherish every moment with Cupid. This is the gift he has given me: Cherish every moment with those I love.....because life is fleeting.

CUPID'S LESSON: BE HERE NOW

He's at least 6 1/2 years old, perhaps older. One of his canines is broken and he's missing some grooming teeth. His fingers and toes are long and graceful. Sparse silver hairs peer out through a soft, white coat, suggesting he was probably once a silver panda turned dark-eyed-white. He moves slowly and stiffly, preferring sleep to rumbling with the youngsters. His name is Cupid, but we often call him Sensei, because he presents himself as the quiet, patient and wise teacher to the other ferrets. A very mature fellow, Cupid is a man's ferret and isn't down with mushy kisses or those silly games.

Even Rocky, the Alpha, respects this serious and independent guy. And just like the old martial arts master who sits in quiet meditation and sternly (yet lovingly) corrects his students when they become haughty, be assured that Cupid can kick some butt. To see it is pure amazement.

Cupid came to me last August, along with his best friend, Dave. I fostered these two for the rescue I volunteer for and fell in love. For my Christmas gift this past season, I was given the money to adopt Cupid and Dave. It was the best gift ever.

Sensei took to my husband right away and they've become buddies. He loves to play "foot" and steal dirty socks, which he will stash under my husband's desk in his office (I once counted THIRTY socks under there, no kidding). Cupid makes a nest of these socks and naps on them while my husband works at his desk. Thus, another nickname was created: "Cupid, the Sock Nest Monster".

(photo ~ Cupid is caught thieving hubby's sock)

Now, only after six months of having Cupid in our lives, he faces a big illness. Last week he collapsed and spaced out. He couldn't walk. Even though I've not had a situation like this before with any of my ferrets, I'd done enough reading and was taught by my friends at the rescue and I knew this was a sign of low blood sugar. I quickly rubbed a small amount of Karo syrup on his gums and he was better almost immediately.

I took him to the vet the next day and he was diagnosed with insulinoma. They prescribed prednisone to help stabilize his blood glucose. A day or so later, Cupid developed a terrible sounding cough and continued to be very lethargic. His breathing was labored. He stopped eating and drinking on his own and I resorted to hand feeding him Duck Soup and syringe feeding him water and Pedialyte.

We returned to the vet and, although his blood sugar level was good, they did an x-ray which showed fluid around the lungs. They gave him a shot of antibiotic, thinking that Cupid may have pneumonia. At this point I took Cupid to the vet he saw when he was in the rescue. She is an hour away from where I live, but she is vey knowledgeable about ferret medicine and I trust her totally. She read the x-ray I brought to her and told me that Cupid's heart is enlarged and the fluid is both in and around his lungs.

The vet prescribed him Lasix to help get the fluid off of his lungs and an oral antibiotic. She told me that she couldn't tell right now, but Cupid either has heart disease (cardiomyopathy) or lymphosarcoma in his lungs. We won't know until the x-ray is repeated in a few weeks and the fluid is reduced (hopefully).

It's been a day since we started the Lasix and antibiotic and I can tell Cupid is breathing easier and seems to be resting better. I haven't heard any more coughs. He still refuses food and water on his own and I have to coax him with every ounce of charm I have to get him to take it from me. I had a glimmer of hope early this morning when I got up at about 4 am and looked in on him. He was standing in front of his water bowl and he had eaten a few licks of the Duck Soup I'd put in his cage before bed.

When I went to get him up later to give him his meds and food, he was sleeping like a silly ferret: on his back and all twisted with his feet sticking up in the air. I realized that he hasn't slept in that position in a while.

After he ate, he stayed up and played in a sack, stole the insole out of my shoe and played with baby Milo. He seemed more like himself and I was so excited ! But, tonight he is back to the lethargy again. I am very worried.

I'm trying so hard to get him better. I want him to get better. I'm not ready to say goodbye. When I look at him, though, he just seems so tired and weary -- as if he is ready to go.

My heart is broken. Nothing lives on this earth forever. I just want more time with him. Just a little more. And it's important that I cherish every single moment with him now. Cupid teaches me that, all six of my ferrets do. Cupid has a sense of knowing. He told me with a small kiss (but it wasn't a mushy kiss or anything..).

MILO'S STORY

Milo Mouse came into my life almost four weeks ago. He was the smallest of three ferrets at a local exotic pet store. The owner handed him to me and my heart melted. He was clearly underweight, dirty and had a prolapsed rectum. The cage he shared with the other ferrets was all wire, with no sign of any soft litter for them to walk on.

Milo snuggled close to me and gnawed at my fingers. I fell in love and brought him home. And even though I "bought" him, I knew I was rescuing him from what I felt was a terrible living condition. I am sure he would have gotten very ill or died if left in that cage.

When I brought Milo home, I fixed him up a little cage all his own, with soft blankets and food and water. He attacked the food as if he hadn't eaten in days. He snarfed it all up. I made more. He ate half of that and fell asleep. The next morning, the food bowl was empty again. He ate ravenously like that for several days before slowing down to a normal pace.

I took him to the vet and had him checked over. The vet agreed that Milo was underweight. He also told me the prolapsed rectum was due to coccidia and gave me some medication for Milo. (The man at the pet store told me a prolapse rectum was "normal" for kits. How stupid is that?)

Well, it hasn't taken very long for little Milo Mouse to gain weight and get a cute little ferret tummy. He's growing like a weed and romps and plays with my five other guys just fine. I believe he is deaf, but that is not an issue for such a strong and tuff little kit. He steals toys, runs through tunnels, digs the rice box and attacks my feet with the best of 'em.

Milo is just now figuring out that it is OK to sleep on soft blankets. He tends to sleep on the hardest, coldest surface he can find. I attribute that to the fact he had no soft place to sleep. I'm not certain, but it may be that he was not welcome by the other ferrets in the pet store cage. It makes me so sad to think that perhaps they weren't allowing him to eat or cuddle up with them at naptime.

Milo has brought so much happiness and joy to our home and I am so grateful to have found him! What a beautiful little gift !

PLEASE SAY NO TO INDIVIDUALS "REHOMING" (SELLING) THEIR PETS ON WEBSITES LIKE CRAIG'S LIST. ADOPT FROM YOUR LOCAL SHELTER OR RESCUE!

THANK YOU!

FERRET 101

There's a lot of great information via books and the internet which cover ferret basics, history, health, behavior, etc. But, since this is a blog about ferrets, it behooves me to put in my own two cents worth.

At first glance, people may think that a ferret is a rodent, like a mouse or hamster. In truth, ferrets are not rodents at all, but carnivores (meat-eaters). They are in the mustelidae family, which they share with the wolverine, sea otter, skunk, weasel and polecat. The domesticated ferret's wild cousin, the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), is one of the world's most endangered species (see pic). It is thought that ferrets were kept as pets in Egypt, even before cats. Pictures drawn on Egyptian tombs depict ferret-like critters being walked on leashes.

The word "ferret" comes from a Latin word, meaning "thief". Thus, they are appropriately named, because they will definitely steal your keys, your wallet, your socks, your spaghetti noodles....and your heart. The official scientific name is Mustela putorius furo, which, loosely translated means "stinky mouse-killing thief". Personally, I prefer to call them "fuzzbutt" or "silly weasel".

This brings me to the "stink factor". Ferrets have scent glands near the anus, which is true of all carnivores. If they are startled or feel threatened, they will release a strong, musky odor, which will dissipate fairly quickly. If a ferret is purchased from a pet store, they will have their scent glands removed. They still have a slight body odor from their skin oils, however, which, again, is no different than Mr. Kitty or Fido. Proper grooming (keeping the ears clean and not bathing them too much), regular washing of their bedding and keeping the litter boxes clean will keep any odor under control. A few of us ferret-lovers happen to like the way their ferrets smell !

Ferrets are actually very clean little critters. I observe mine taking the time to wash their feet and face after they eat. They will use the litter box, newspaper or puppy pads most of the time (but be prepared for a surprise every now and then). Personally, I prefer the use of puppy pads and newspaper, as opposed to litter boxes. I dislike the smell, inconvenience and mess the litter makes and it's a lot easier for me to just pick up the soiled paper and put a clean one down.

A normal healthy ferret will sleep an average of 18 - 20 hours per day, with bursts of activity in the morning and again in the evening. Two or more ferrets will sleep in a pile and they love to burrow in soft, warm, dark places (such as your laundry basket). It's very cute, but ferret owners must quickly learn to check the couch cushions and blanket heaps to avoid a serious ferret injury. Recliners are very dangerous and can crush a ferret.

Ferrets need a minimum of "out-of-cage" time of four hours per day. This means having a ferret-proofed home (think of a two-year-old that can climb and squeeze behind the refrigerator). Unless you have an entire room you can devote to your ferrets and allow them to run around, forget having House Beautiful. The decor will be more of the tubing, cardboard box, jingle ball motif. Put your antique tea pot your grandmother gave you in the china cabinet and not on the coffee table. If you don't want little ferret teeth marks in your new Nikes, put 'em in the closet. My fuzzbutts love candles, and will chew the wax. It's been a learning curve, but now I've learned to think like a ferret. The few candles I now have are out of reach.

The cage your ferret lives in (when not out) needs to be large enough for him to move around comfortably. It should have a hammock, sleep sack and soft blankets, a water bottle and crock, food bowl and litter area. Purchase a cage made specifically for ferrets. There are a variety of quality ferret cages available in a broad price range.

Ferrets make fun, loving and loyal pets. But they aren't for everybody. They need the attention and care just like a dog or cat. They can make you laugh or push your patience. The key to finding the best pet for you is knowledge. Do your research so that you and your pet will have a long and happy relationship.

REMEMBER!! PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WHO CHARGE "REHOMING FEES" FOR THEIR UNWANTED PETS! SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHELTER OR RESCUE!