Hello, everyone.  I've been lurking on and off, and way behind in reading my
FML mail due to a too busy life!  But I did need to buy some pet food the
other day.  I was admiring the two baby ferrets the pet store had for sale,
($149 ea!) and a store employee approached and asked if I wanted to adopt a
ferret.  When she told me the ferret's history, I had to see him.  He had
been brought in by his owner during a nasty storm here, this past Saturday
night.  The owner said he could no longer keep it and would let it go if she
didn't take it in.  He would never had lasted through the night.  He is a
bag of bones!  His hind muscles, or at least what should be his hind
muscles, are weak.  His spine sticks out straight up to his neck.  She told
me he had been totally neglected.  Never let out of his cage, was fed
regular dry cat food.  His water bottle was encrusted with gunk, there was
nothing to sleep on except dirty cedar shavings.  It was appalling!
 
So, you can guess the rest.  I have four ferrets now, my family is growing!
Izzy is doing fine.  He lets me hold him for short periods of time, then
scrambles away and does his "war dance", then waits by his cage to go back
in.  He's a little to weak and scrawny to let him interact with my other
two, especially Rex, who is still working out the pecking order with Keesha
and Simba.  That situation has improved, due to Rex slowing down with age,
and Keesha and Simba getting larger and faster.  They just outrun him!
Gives Rex a good workout.
 
I'm feeding Izzy a mixture of Iams Kitten, Marshall Farms Ferret food,
Ferritvite and Ferretone.  If there are any suggestions for me to help him
gain some weight, I'd be happy to hear about them.  He looks good otherwise,
clear, bright eyes, no discharges from anywhere.  He's a sweetheart, seems
to have an even temperment.  I know with time, he'll more readily accept my
handling and caressing.  And the rest of the family is anxious to play with
him.  They are always by his cage when they are out, sniffing and climbing.
I stagger their 'out' time right now.  Hope all is well with everyone.  I
may not always be around here on the FML, but it is awfully good to know
there are people here who care.  Love to all.....  Vicki
[Posted in FML issue 1379]