The problem with giving her back, promise or no promise, is that the
ferret will go through another transition. If her previous person
has not visited her in that year, the ferret most probably will not
remember her. If this is all about the ferret - that is what needs to
be taken into consideration. Since she has had such a difficult time
with transitions, this may not be a positive change for her.

Years ago I was in a similar situation and I gave the ferret back
to her very concerned and caring people. It was the wrong decision.
Samantha did not adjust and they brought her back to me, because they
cared that much and could see she wasn't happy, but it was too late.
She became withdrawn and was never trusting again. I kept her for the
remainder of her years, but they were not the normal happy ferret years
they should have been or were before I gave her back. She was well
taken care of the time she was away from me, but her heart was broken
and it never healed completely.

Ferrets can only take so much, then they become withdrawn when there
hearts are broken too many times.

Please discuss this issue with the previous person and see how Eliza
reacts to her. If she and you are determined to make this work, I'd
suggest a few visits and maybe an overnight or two before the new
living arrangement becomes permanent.

Seriously, a promise that harms another needs to be broken and I say
that with sad experience.

tle
www.ferretfamilyservices.org

[Posted in FML 8073]