"Munchkin's Story" "Munchkin FerretWise
 
"Munchkin" as she would later be lovingly called arrived at Ferret Wise
on January 18, 1995.  The phone rang early that morning, and I recognized
the voice of the Fish & Wildlife contact, "can you pick up a ferret we
are holding?, she was turned in yesterday after being found in the
morning on the steps of a hardware store in Leominster, MA" he said.
She's a wild one but I hate to think of the other option, this is a
pretty little ferret." We agreed to transport that morning and both
shelter Dad & Mom hopped into the van for a trip and relay in Orange, MA.
To see what this abandoned ferret was... we will never forget her.  (A
critical and important part of the early and formative shelter years,
at Ferret Wise were, as a licensed rescue transport from the state of
Massachusetts.  Ferrets were not legal in Massachusetts when Ferret Wise
rescue began, prior to its incorporated days.  From early 1994 to March
of 1995, when legalization took effect in the state of Massachusetts,
Ferret Wise transported, cared for, and placed more than 150 ferrets.
All were refugees, illegal aliens of the state of Massachusetts.  This
would not have been accomplished if Ferret Wise did not qualify for an
Export / Transport license issued through the MA , Fish & Wildlife
Headquarters in both 1994 and 1995.  During these years Ferret Wise won
the trust and respect of both the Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife and the
MA Environmental Police.  We are proud to say we saved some precious
ferret lives in our early days.) The tiny jill was in a wire cage and
was hopping mad -- she had water, food was strewn around-- she obviously
was not pleased with recent accommodations!  She was shuffled into the
carrier we brought and we started to load it in the van.  I wanted to
reassure this tiny gal all would be okay.... she let me no on no
uncertain terms she was unhappy.  Foolishly 20 minutes into the trip I
tried again-- twice she won, twice I was reprimanded!  Oh, well.  Once at
the shelter, we let her out of the carrier into unconfined space, a teeny
little silver rocket ship -- she tore around like no one's business.  The
ferret had ridden a freedom train straight to Ferret Wise and she danced
up a storm for hours.  Munchkin, she would shortly after be named, was an
unaltered silver mitt jill.  She had a beautiful white bib and ruby eyes
that danced with fire.  A fire that alpha females know well.  She was the
ruler, not to be ruled!  She was also in "heat" and hormones made her
even more unsteady in the temperament department.  "Munchkin's" estimated
date of birth was 2/94 making her about 11 months of age.  Munchkin was
spayed on January 24th and recovered in short order.  All her blood tests
showed she was healthy.  Her temperament would take a bit of modifying --
she was evidently upset from the chaos and abandonment experienced in her
young life to date.  Munchkin never cared for other ferrets, she was an
ONLY child.  Because of this she was passed by time and time again-- even
after her personality was redeeming.  Finally a young Vermont couple
adopted her after several visits in September of 95.  They agreed only
one ferret was for their home!  We would get note and letters from them
telling us how she was the light of their lives.
 
The phone rang again in September of 1997, the couple had relocated
to Massachusetts and recently had a baby.  There was no more time
forMunchkin.  She arrived back at Ferret Wise on October 13, 1997.  A
mere shadow of the ferret we had known.  In her cage, which she left in,
shewas eating plums, apples and bananas.  The ferret who left robust and
healthy on Totally Ferret food, was emaciated and thin.  Her coat was
white-- her ruby eyes were minus the spirit we had previously known.
Munchkin it was plain to see was at her last home -- she needed lots of
love and care.  Immediately it was determined she was to be started on
a nutritional support soup.  Within two months the white ferret began
to turn silver again.  This was great news, but there was some bad too,
Munchkin had impaired liver & kidney function.  Who knows the cause --
perhaps diet, perhaps lack of food or water during her absence, perhaps
the last vaccinations she had before arriving in a malnourished state --
but the truth was to be dealt with.  We added more supplements to her
diet and the vet and shelter folks were amazed.  In June of '98 Munchkin,
still on her soup supplement, traveled to NY and was entered in a silver
specialty ring-- she took 3rd place!  The condition of her kidney disease
caused ups and downs... we were afraid we would lose her prior to
Christmas '98 about the same time we lost mascot Ewok.  We were guided
through sub-q fluid flushings by Dr. Karen, and once again "Munchkin"
triumphed.  Her appetite resumed.  Then finally at the end of February
she was slowing down-- she would take only small amounts of soup, and her
urine was exited via the pores on her skin, causing some scalding.  We
knew her end was nearing.  Still she ran to the door at the shelter she
asked to be picked up-- she was a loving gal.  On March 9, 199 Munchkin
took her last ride on the Ferret Freedom train, both shelter Mom & Dad
saw her off.
 
Munchkin is not in pain and she we are sure is dancing among the green
fields where the rainbow meets the bridge.  She shares the fine company
of many ferrets who left before.  We prefer to think of Munchkin in her
early days-- when she was the spirited boss at the shelter-- backing even
the big mascot Ewok into a corner!  Dance and play our little Munchkin,
no more will you be lost or forgotten... there is always time for you, in
our hearts you live on.  Your shelter mom, Alicia and your many ferret
friends at Ferret Wise
[Posted in FML issue 4757]