Once any web work is done, time for phone calls to return.  I have
voicemail, and while I've been online for hours, there's calls to return.
Some personal, some business.  That takes an hour at least.  Somewhere
during all this I manage to grab something to eat real quick for
breakfast, a few pieces of bacon, maybe boiled or scrambled eggs.  Every
two days I dump litterboxes completely, I wish I could say I scooped
daily, but, I used to!  I hate being asked how many ferrets we have, no,
I hate saying how many, non ferret people quit blinking a few minutes and
you are not sure if they are comatose or in shock.  We have, approximately
35.  20 are mine, 2 are my sons, then any rescues we have.  Sometimes, we
have gone higher.  I have not reached capacity...yet.  We have empty
cages.  I do not turn ferrets away, and am currently getting referrals
from others who are nearer capacity.
 
Thankfully, I get so many inquiries :o) and ferrets are usually here a
week or sometimes less.  Here comes a part some may or may not like about
me.  I breed.  Not much, and only ADV neg.  ferrets live here.  This is
one of the few things I do for myself.  I rescued for nearly 4 years,
before I decided to breed.  I believe that ANYBODY who breeds, should
rescue too.  I keep tabs on all my kits, have strict spay/neuter
contracts, and I educate people to death, sending them home after long
talks with folders full of information on health, local vets, and general
care.  I insist they get Ferrets for Dummies, and may soon be sending it
home with every rescue and kit.  I do far more rescue than I put out kits,
and, I push rescues first, they are needy, my kits have had it good all
their lives, being handled from birth with love and kindness.  They get
free roam in my living room daily, and have their own room downstairs that
is finished and they free roam down there except overnight when i like
to round them up and kiss them to sleep.  Part of my day may consist of
running to a pound for a dog or ferret abandoned, sick, or that bites.
Accepting an owner surrender.  Adopting out a ferret or dog...or two.  I
spend an hour cleaning cages, a lot less time than it used to be, thanks
to my shop vac.
 
Now, when I go downstairs to say hi to the kids, I say "Good morning
babies" and turn the light on.  Shut the door, and open cages.  (I insist
everyone get along and they DO except for a select few) I sit on the floor
and am swarmed by furry little bodies.  Some try going up my pantsleg,
others up the back of my shirt.  Many climb up to my shoulder, and play
in my hair.  I get kisses and of course there's Dragon, who goes back to
sleep in my lap.  Everyone gets a cuddle, and a kiss in turn, and we play.
Then it's cage time.  Then I pack everyone back in while I clean the
floor, then, everyone goes back out for the day while I check food and
water.  Reverse this entire process (minus cage & floor cleaning) at
night, ending with a "Goodnight, Babies" and a turn out of the light.  I
probably spend three hours with them at most, and the rest of the time
they get to play with their hundreds of toys.  I spend a few hours a week
sewing.  I make hammocks for the kids here, for other shelters, take
special orders for other people, and then sell the rest on eBay.  I play
with the dogs, feed the chickens (source of fresh eggs for our Duck Soup!)
and find time for a small lunch.  My son helps with household chores when
he gets home from school, gods know it's not my forte and need all the
help I can get with everyone to care for here.  He also helps me sometimes
with the ferret cleaning and feeding.  Never wonder why pioneers had lots
of kids.  They needed the slave labor, LMAO!  Honestly, though, since he
pays neither for food, litter, vaccines nor vet bills, this is how Todd
earns his ferrets' keep and he gets a small allowance to boot.  It also
teaches him responsibility, and he sees and knows firsthand how much work
pets are.  he is learning.  Why do I do this?  The look in the eyes of the
ferret who has been neglected.  The ones who bite from fear, or who climb
into my lap, stare at me with a smile, give me a kiss, then sigh and fall
asleep content.  THAT is why. cont. in part 3...
 
Mystyx Arctic Breed Canine, Feline,
and Ferret Rescue of Galloway, Ohio
www.mystyxcritters.com
www.mystyxrescue.petfinder.com
[Posted in FML issue 3775]