Hi gang!  In case Alicia does not have time to update you all today, here is
what I know...
 
Bills are mounting for Gabriel's specialized care, and plans are in the
works for him to be transferred so he can see a "specialist" for his injury.
Alicia has received a few donations to help and it has boosted her spirits a
bit, for that I am very thankful!  Alicia has been really worried about how
she will care for Gabriel and we have a long way to go, but I have faith!!
I keep telling her not to worry, somehow, we will find a way.  Thanks to all
those who have sent things to help our little miracle boy, Gabriel.  We
could not do this without you *all*.
 
He is showering Alicia with kisses now, so I think he understands she is
there to help him!  The first few days he hardly gave kisses at all, I think
this is a good sign that his pain is lessening.  It is the most wonderful
feeling you can imagine, when you help a kid that is in pain or suffering or
has been abused, and one day they seem to realize what you are doing for
them, and that finally they have someone to love them, and they begin to
shower you with affection and sweet ferret-kisses as their way of saying
thanks.  I can't speak for the other shelter operators, but for me, those
little ferret kisses are the reason I do what I do!  It isn't for money
(hah, that's a joke if you look at my vet bills) or to gain people's
appreciation or their approval, or for any other reason, it is only for
those little ferret-kisses and "thank you's".
 
Alicia writes:
 The vet pointed out the x-ray and really feels that though there is some
 differentiation in the vertebre-- spacing etc..  she feels it is not a
 break-- rather probable clot, trauma and perhaps disc injury-- I will be
 phoning Mary and advising her.  Things look set for transfer on the 16th--
 
 I will put together a post for Monday-- and bring everyone up to speed.
 And hopefully an update on Tuesday before I leave.  We will be picking
 Gabriel up on Friday nite as I get in from Hartford CT to bring him home to
 the shelter.  I can have 1 whole day with him all to myself!!!!!!  Then I
 can tell him how very lucky he is to have all the friends in the ferret
 world!!
 
FYI - Mary is Gabriel's mommy-to-be!  She has worked with special cases like
his before, and has training for it!  She is very eager to get him on the
16th!!!  She'll provide the best care he could get while he is in treatment.
Ferretwise shelter is making arrangements with a specialist in spinal/bone
problems and will still be 'footing the bill' for his care, but he'll get to
stay with Mary, as she is close enough to the vet that he won't have to stay
over if the vet says he can go 'home'.  If I have the information correctly,
I think Mary also wants to keep Gabriel permanently.  And I think I have the
logisitic of Mary's location in relation to the vet's office correct.  The
only catch is that Mary and Gabriel will be about 5 hours away from Alicia!
That is sad, but the transfer is being made so Gabriel can have a specialist
work on him, so it is worth the sacrifice to Alicia.
 
We are becoming very optimistic folks!  There are alot of happy, healthy
paraplegic ferrets out there folks.  I think one day Gabriel will be joining
that group!  Ferrets just don't understand "handicaps", they make the best
of what they have and go on just being ferrets!  I think it is evident that
Gabriel has alot of spunk, and a significant desire to "beat this thing" and
be a happy kid again.  I am very anxious to see that day!!!!  Thank you
friends for supporting him.
 
Trish
Director, Ferrets First Rescue & Shelter
[Posted in FML issue 1839]