A Sweet Hagerstown Boy:
 
This is the story of "D".  He was one of the many saved By Barb Clay and
Kim Sikorski in the first of the 2 rescues from Frosty Paws Ferretry.
This is his first pic, taken on his day of intake, July 25., 2003.  As
you can see he looks very lost and confused by all the goings on.  That
Friday he seems to have gotten his very first glimpse of daylight and
fresh air in years.  "D" does not appear to be a young boy, he is
certainly over 5 years, some very hard years.
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039307772456475329929.jpg
 
He did not have a good life where he was.  He was one of the Hobs used
specifically for breeding.  The only time he knew a human touch was when
he was taken from one cage of jills and placed in another.  He lived in
filth and was not loved.  One of the most noticeable signs of the neglect
he suffered from hematoma on his prepuce.  This was more then likely
caused by dragging his penis across the rusty,feces encrusted cage
bottoms where he lived.  Or many he had gotten his 'hook' caught and
since no one was there to hear his screams and help him he may have
damaged himself to try to get free.
 
Sadly, that is just one of his 'issues'.  Of all the ferrets that had to
acquire new muscle tone, Duke seems the most challenged.  For unknown
reasons, post op, his hind leg weakness worsened.  "D" was suffering from
substantial Hind-end weakness.  Mainly, his right rear leg would drag
behind him when he tried to walk, after a short time of trying to walk
3 legged he would throw back his left leg and just drag himself around.
This condition became apparent following his altering and was a result,
most likely, from his poor physical condition.  Breathing in Fiberglass
insulation, mouse feces and everything else in the garage where he was
housed.  We may never know.
 
"D", now known as Duke, was welcomed into my home on Sunday, September
7th.  He is being fostered here at the Love Zoo.  Duke is the only ferret
from the mass rescue being fostered.  He is here for Physical Therapy.
Barb wants him to be able to walk, run and Dook for his Forever Family.
I do not run a shelter, I have never 'fostered' a ferret or anyone else.
Duke is the first.  He came here to work on strengthening his rear end by
swimming and long walks.  He is also being treated with Prednisone to
help make all this happen.  On Sept 7th, he could not walk more than 5
feet without throwing both hind legs back for a drag.  Now he can walk,
fairly normally, for long stretches of time and over great distances.
 
When he came here, he was that Orange ferret, with an almost a rust
colored rear end you saw pictured.
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039306785413403242290.jpg
 
A guess was taken at intake that he is a Mitt.  After much attention he
appears to be a light Chocolate or maybe a Champagne.  Regular brushing
and pluckings(most will know what I mean) are making this happen.  Fur
was falling off of Duke, now it's not.  He is a Handsome fella!
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20039306785413403242290.jpg
 
Duke is available for adoption at Rocky's.  He is an angel who is still
learning how to be a ferret.  He is learning how to dance and dook and
steal socks.  He loves to be cuddled and kissed.  Duke loves long
romantic walks and raw beef, cooked chicken and Ferretone.  He has a bit
of an interesting walk-like a monkey! lol
 
If you are interested, please visit:
http://www.rockysferrets.com/ferrets/adoption.html
and fill out the application.
 
Thank you for hearing our story :)
 
=====
Lynn with the Ferrets of the Love Zoo
Irish, Darlin Daisy Do, Nosferreteau, Miss Maisie, Sugimon, Gracie,
Emily, Dizzy-Isabella, Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo
[Posted in FML issue 4287]