The first post on this topic was truthful in some ways, but much
to harsh in others. I know both sides of choosing to live without
ferrets -- why you do it and why you open up your heart again.
In 2002, I began with ferrets. They were the physical therapy that
helped me relearn to walk. Being my responsibility, I had to crawl out
of bed to tend to them, no matter how much my depression and pain held
me in place. I salute Lance, Merlin, Nikita, Pirate, Sandy, Smokey,
Loki, and Arthur for all the love and support they gave me. But, when
Niki and Rat (Pirate) went to the Rainbow Bridge, I couldn't stomach
any more loss. They were the sort of ferrets that find people much more
interesting than playing with other ferrets. Watching the insulanoma
and adrenal hit and progress to the end was... Well, you all know;
you've been there.
In 2007, the last of my first group of eight passed on. My heart was so
heavy that I just couldn't open my home to another ferret. Every time I
saw or thought of ferrets, all I could think of was how they would only
be with me for a few years and how their last year or so would be
filled with illness. And, since I took in shelter babies, I'd seen some
of the cruelty ferrets can go through from the hands of humans; it is
sickening. So, I got rid of every last ferret-related item in my home.
I swore off ferrets and the pain they caused every time my heart broke
for them. I was miserable for two years.
In 2009, I started gathering up abused and ill ferrets. Not able to
reach a ferret shelter in my area at that time, I trolled internet ads.
I got to see what ferrets look like before a shelter sees them. It was
hard going for my heart, but I'm just not complete without ferts in my
home. Almost every ferret I am owned by has some disability or illness.
I take pride and joy in knowing how much I can help them and in seeing
how much they love me.
Frost was the first of the new group to reach SaraFerret. He was a
couple months shy of seven-years-old when we got him, and he developed
adrenal right away. Frost made it eleven months before leaving us from
congestive heart failure. I was afraid that that loss would put me back
in that dark place, where I didn't want to be near ferrets whatsoever.
It didn't. By the time Frost died, I also had six of my current crop of
seven ferrets. There were so many others that needed me that I couldn't
just stop. Rhys lost almost three pounds in grief over Frost (leaving
him at 2 lb. 13 oz.). Codo still can't walk very well. Rhys and Codo
both have adrenal. Ayla is still not extremely fond of men or strangers
and has a hemroidal syst. It takes special patience to put up with
Mandie's destructive nature. Charlie is mostly blind. Holly, a former
McKay breeder, is understandably a bit neurotic and had an infection in
her scent glands. I had children of fur that I couldn't let down. All
except Mandie and Winter are at least 4 yr. 9 mo. old. They won't be
with me as long as I wish, but they need me, and I need to be needed.
My heart may be in for a beating, but I've come to the conclusion that
ferrets also make my heart stronger and my world a better place to
liv in.
It is a very personal choice in choosing to continue to provide a
home to ferrets, especially for people that keep shelters or volunteer
at shelters. Experiencing too much loss and seeing too much cruelty
causes serious psychological and emotional damage. Call those of us
that choose to set aside ferrets for a time or permanently weak and
uncaring, but we can become unfit ferret owners, because of what we
have seen. Everyone has their own tolerance for pain and loss. All
you can ask of folk is to do the best they can.
With respect,
Lori in Ohio
Current crop of trouble:
Rhys, Ayla, Codo, Mandie, Winter, Holly, and Charlie
Busy reeking havoc with SaraFerret:
Frost, Lance, Merlin, Nikita, Pirate, Sandy, Smokey, Loki, and Arthur
[Posted in FML 6690]
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