It's been a few days since we said goodbye for now to our beloved Meeko
(he passed 2/11/2011 at 4pm). Meeko was one of those ferrets who stole
the hearts of everyone around him.

I've started this email several times..... only to break down in tears
and stop.

I meet Meeko the first time I volunteered at Fbog in Marietta, GA in
December 2008. I'd moved from Michigan to Georgia a few months before.
I'm grateful to the Fbog shelter yahoo forum for helping me not only
adjust to life in Atlanta, GA but also help me care for my 7 kids that
I moved down from MI with us.

Meeko, his brother Louie, and his sister Tazzy were dumped in front of
a vet's office back in 2006. They were left in a dirty, flea infested
carrier with an unsigned note asking the vet to please "Find Meeko,
Louie and Tazzy a good home. After a good flea bath. Our kids have out
grown them."

After arriving at Fbog Tazzy became apart of a different "play/cage
group" because the boys were picking on her. Meeko and Louie were
deemed loners, destined to spend their existence at the shelter
together.

When I first met Meeko and Louie it was love at first site. I wanted
to bring them home. But had my husband and 7 Michigan ferrets to think
of. My husband wasn't interested in bringing home additional ferrets,
let alone older ferrets. I did/do love the 7 I moved down with me.

My husband and I "came to an agreement" where I would foster one
special needs shelter ferret at a time. I brought home and cared for
others that I dearly miss before bringing home Meeko and Louie.

The first night I volunteered at the shelter I couldn't believe what
I saw when I checked in on Meeko and Louie before leaving. Both boy's
were laying in their hammock, bottom halves tucked in, Meeko laid face
up. Louie lay facing Meeko. They were paw in paw. It reminded me and a
dedicated volunteer of an old married couple. I took pictures.

I tried not to give special attention to Meeko and Louie when I helped
at the shelter. It was hard not to. Our shelter mom's family lives in
New York. So every year volunteers either bring shelter ferrets home
for the holiday's or commit to covering the shelter while the shelter
mom visit's home. I decided that I would bring home Meeko and Louie
back in November 2009 permanently. Of course I told my husband it would
be just for the holiday's. I did bring home Tazzy (who was dumped with
the boys) and 2 other gals (the old lady sorority). During that holiday
we sadly said goodbye to Annabelle (our long term foster who was
surrender to fbog due to owner neglect) and Marshmallow (short term
foster, long term and well loved fbog ferret).

No one know's for sure the age of Meeko, Louie and Tazzy when they were
dumped by those people. They were at the shelter for about 2 years
before becoming apart of our home. While at the shelter they became
adrenal and insulinomic. Louie lost his vision.

Meeko integrated easily with our other kids. I really think that his
socializing with other ferrets, to come back to Louie who was very
guarded helped Louie assimilate. Prior to Louie's passing is 4/2010
he accepted several of my original MI kids.

Thankfully Meeko didn't morn himself to death after Louie's passing.

A month after Louie's passing Meeko was implanted with the deselorin
4.7. I swear it gave him another 8 to 9 month's of "fun and frolick"
that may not have happened.

Meeko's balance between sweet affectionate boy, treat begging boy,
passive eat my gravy no big deal boy, and clown like silliness was a
rare combo.

Meeko started to mellow out about a month ago. I wasn't sure what the
cause was. Maybe he needed a new des implant? His insulinomia was in
control.

After his mellowing, Meeko was still a little piggy when it came to his
gravy and treats. I didn't worry to much. Then it happened, 1 1/2 days
before we let him go, he didn't want his gravy. That was an abrupt
change.

Along with the not wanting to eat gravy/treats Meeko's poop became
colored with a dark red blood. Mind you his stool was still nicely
formed. It was just mixed with blood.

I kick myself for not being able to bring him to the vet the following
day after the blood red poops started. I wish I could've saved Meeko.
He touched a part of me.

I hoped it was some type of ulcer. I tried to coat his system. But his
poop became worse, stability worse, more blood. He let me know he was
done. I couldn't bear to keep him around selfishly for me.

So I brought him into a local clinic, "For Pet's Sake" Decatur, GA.
Dr Jason confirmed what I thought, it would be best to say goodbye. He
didn't do any additional tests, but thought that whatever was happening
with Meeko wasn't related to adrenal or insulinioma. That we had a
third player. Possibly lymphoma (tumor rupture) creating the anemia,
etc.

I hope that Meeko has found Louie and Tazzy. I thought it was strange
that Louie, Tazzy and Meeko all passed within 10 months of each other.

I hope that Meeko finds those he knows have pasted prior to him: Louie
and Tazzy, he would also know other fosters I've had..... Hanky,
Bedlam, Annabelle, Marshmallow, Girlfriend, Kuzoo, and our Diggy that
moved from Michigan with us.

Meeko my dear, I will always miss you. You took a park of me. I wish we
had more time. I'll miss you're kinky lil tail, black eye, white patchy
hair.... vocal ability. And the way you would look at me, head have
cocked, wondering what I was thinking.

Until we meet again my little Meeko boy.

Love
Wendy
Riley, Ahkee, Agatha, Tink, Junior, Baxter, Teddy the bear, and Polly
Prissy Pants
missing Hanky, Bedlam, Annabelle, Marshamellow, Louie, Diggy and of
course Meeko.

[Posted in FML 6974]