I have to say a HUGE thank you for supporting me during this really tough
time...I have to be totally honest though...after posting about what
happened with my kitten and the ferrets I was very afraid of what people
would think but I chose instead to post it because I just wanted it to
pose as a reminder of a ferrets capability...nothing more.  I sincerely
apologize for it being to graphic, I never intended for that to be.  I
was writing that soon after it happened and I think I was in a total
state of shock, heartbreak, guilt and a million other things along with
dealing with my completely devastated son..he is only 7 and although he
did let the fuzzys out without permission after being warned a thousand
times regarding the baby, he NEVER meant for that to happen to Gremlin.
I have now put locks on the ferret cage...I know that may sound extreme
to some, I just think that until he is a little older I would rather not
take any chances..I have 2 other kittens in the house, 5 weeks, 7 weeks
and their foster mom so I will ensure there will never be another tragedy
like that!
 
I do not in any way blame my ferrets and I had to explain this to my
son..  they are after all animal and any creature with teeth can bite..
outside cats regularly kill birds and dogs can do their share of things
to, and these are all animals considered pets.  They did nothing wrong..
they just did what they did, I love them no less!
 
I have gotten many really nice emails that I am so sincerely grateful
for..Although the same does not hold true for the ferret group I belong
to.  I only bring this up because I was accused of making this story up
for attention.. which Is something I would NEVER in a million years do
to anyone for any reason.  A lot of very not nice things were said about
this and I just want to say that for any of you that didn't believe this
horrible story, all of it was true.  It was also said that I must be
starving my fuzzys which I of course would also NEVER do!!  I have no
idea why they did what they did, but it was not out of starvation or
being wild.  I am a veterinary technician that cares for critically ill
animals every night in an emergency clinic ICU.  I would never hurt or do
anything but love and care for an any animal....I never had the kitten
out or in the same room with my ferrets the whole time he was with me.  I
had noticed that his high pitched crying made two of my ferrets freak out
for some reason..they react in a similar way to a squeaky toy.  It was my
son who let them out without asking or telling me and it all happened in
a few seconds.
 
The vets where I work looked at the kitten post mortem and said what
killed him was they must have shook him and severed his spinal cord.
They were pulling at him like they fight over certain toys and I am sure
that must have been why he had the wounds.  Not because I starve them.  I
am very sorry to go on about this but I was completely hurt when accused
of making this up or neglecting the animals I adore...I wanted to clear
things up for any of you who were doubting me in any way.
 
Thank you very much for listening to this and giving me a chance to
explain things further.  Although I carry a tremendous amount of guilt
over his death, I know Gremmy is at the Bridge now and not in any pain
and I will see him again someday...
 
Kathleen
[Posted in FML issue 4492]