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Subject:
ferret ownership night mare
From:
[log in to unmask][log in to unmask], 15 Aug 2004 10:06:31 -0700636_- Hi folks,

It's me, Melissa, who hasn't been known as "Melissa from Lost Ferrets"
in several years now. The website is still there, but hasn't really
been functional beyond providing general info since my daughter was born,
because I was having a LOT of trouble keeping up.

http://www.geocities.com/lostferrets

Well, I've decided that needs to change. I want to get Lost Ferrele things can indeed be quite expensive...i imagine if i
had been able to keep my numbers at a reasonable level...it would have
been better...but i did not...a hard lesson...

but you know...i get so much more from them than you could ever
imagine... they fill my heart...my soul...so much love and so much
more...it is hard to put into words... [...]45_31May200406:49:[log in to unmask] 0406 585 44 42_Re: The Nightmare of Ferret Ownership?!?!?12_Sandy [log in to unmask], 31 May 2004 13:45:07 EDT399_- >How could such a small, innocent, adorable creature be such a headache
>in so many areas???

You have the question wrong. It should be, why would so many people keep
a small, innocent, adorable creature that can cause such a headache?

This kind of explains it, at least for me.

The Gift

On Christmas Eve your gift to me,
Was a wonderful one to see. [...]36_31May200413:45:[log in to unmask] 0406 630 25 42_Re: The Nightmare of Ferret Ownership?!?!?9_Mia [log in to unmask], 31 May 2004 13:11:35 -0700531_- You want an honest answer?

YES it is really that bad, ferrets are an exotic creature with a lot
of special housing, medical and diet needs, they have a very short
life span, again honestly 5 to 7 years although some live to 10 or 11
I wouldn't really call it living, they are very vulnerable to many things
disease and accident related and are not much liked by a large chunk of
the human population of the planet and in some countries and states are
considered pests and a threat to local ecology. [...]39_31May200413:11:[log in to unmask] 0406 656 34 42_Re: The Nightmare of Ferret [log in to unmask], 31 May 2004 16:34:04 -0400549_- Victor,

Ferret ownership is allot of fun but it is also allot of work and with
them being illegal in CA, I would suggest you hold off on actually
getting any. People are fighting to get ferrets legalized in CA but it
is going to be a long battle I'm afraid.

Yes, ferrets can cost allot of money and I think this is something that
to few people realize. I have had one ferret that had two adrenal
tumors removed and then his spleen. He died when he was about six. I
have another with one surgery under her belt [...]48_31May200416:34:[log in to unmask] 0406 691 37 42_Re: The Nightmare of Ferret Ownership?!?!?11_Fred A [log in to unmask], 1 Jun 2004 00:54:27 EDT369_- >... I would love to read what you all have to say on these issues. I
>need to know what I am looking at BEFORE I end up becoming an owner....
>
>Victor

Victor

Well pal all I can say is this. Either ya get your feet wet or ya stay
on the shore. Life isn't easy and if you are looking for an easy pet
then get a pet rock. [...]36_1Jun200400:54:[log in to unmask] 0406 729 51 33_Re: Nightmare of ferret ownership12_Rita [log in to unmask], 1 Jun 2004 01:45:11 EDT578_- Victor,
I would agree with all you said about ferret ownership but add that every
dime, every difficulty, every tear has been worth the joy my ferrets have
given me. You are probably doing the best thing you can do by doing
research BEFORE you get ferrets. It has been said many times on this
list that so many people know little when they first get their ferrets
and that is a real problem because many times the ferrets end up being
dumped, abandoned or worse.
Date:
Mon, 31 May 2004 08:59:02 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (39 lines) 
Hey Victor,
 
Thank you for being so responsible!!  I am so glad you are doing
research before becoming a ferret owner, that way you wont become a
ferret abandoner.
 
It is true that it seems like ferrets get a lot of diseases.  Without
domestication the ferret lifespan in the wild is only about 1 year.  Most
of the diseases we see are from old age.  The life span in domestication
is 6 to 8 years average.  Yes there are a lot of cancers, but a lot of
old folks have cancer, same with blood sugar problems, heart problems
etc.  One disease almost every ferret gets is a malfunction of the
adrenal glands.  Some researchers believe this is caused by the diet we
feed them (not enough meat, too much grain) and the kind of light they
are exposed to (too much light) .
 
Over the last 6 years I have had the privilege of caring for 12 ferrets.
I still have 5.  The first I lost to a bad vet, the second and fourth to
an escape and unfortunate accident, the third to cardio sympathy, the
fifth to cancer, the sixth to an immune disorder that made her allergic
to food, the seventh to cancer.
 
Do they break your heart?  YES!!  Do they cost a fortune?  YES!!  Are
they worth it?  YES!!
 
Everything about a ferret is intense.  They have intense little lives.
They bring and feel intense joy, their play is intense, they require
intense one on one time and sometimes intense medical care and nursing.
They cover all the extremes.  Intense joy, intense sorrow, intense
frustration, intense love.  If you are an extreme person and have a
true love of animals, they may be for you.  If you want a casual, easy
going peaceful pet, Pick another animal.
 
I hope this has helped you in your decision making process.
 
HappyTails,
Karen and the Scruff You Gang
[Posted in FML issue 4530]

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