[Moderator's note: Posted in 3 parts... all combined into one here.  BIG]
 
Hi all!  Long time since I've written.  I've been awfully busy with all the
fuzzies though.
 
I know many of you have inquired about Big Bear, our little paralyzed dude
with the wheel chair.  We had a bit of a scare for several months with him.
He has a bad bacterial infection.  We've had him on antibiotics for a month
now.  It's possible that he may have to be on a low dose for the rest of
his life.  Now that the infection is under control though, he's back to his
happy and joyful self.  As well as gaining some weight which he had lost
during our battle with the infection.
 
For all of you who have had severe biters that seem like they can not be
stopped don't forget to consider that pain could be the key.  We had a tiny
wisp of a girl in here who would bite down quite hard.  She was also known
to terrorize the stuffed animals in the house.  Well it turns out she had a
kidney which had died.  Terribly huge ugly thing it was.  Once gone, she
never bit again and became the sweetest little angel.  All she was trying
to tell me the whole time before was that she really hurt.  Since then she
has been adopted to a wonderful home and has never hurt anyone since.
 
Some of you know that many ferrets were rescued from a large breeder in
Utah.  9 of the angels have came to us.  From what I know this kids have
had a very hard life.  Only human touch was through heavy leather gloves
and scruffed.  They were overbred, and interbred.  Some of the girls and
boys were much to old to still be breeding.  This babies had never seen
litter boxes, blankets or toys.  Life of breeding and stuck in an empty
cage is what they had.  What amazes me most about them is how happy they
are to have human attention.  You would think they would be feral or nippy.
They are not.  Litter box usage after only a few days is already at a good
90%.  The love snuggling in blankets, though still don't get what the
hammocks are for.  They play will wonderful abandon while out and love to
have me join in with the games.
 
When I first brought the babies home their toes were completely incrusted
in feces.  At a guess thats what they've been standing and sleeping in for
some great time.  So everyone got a bath.  These sweet kids took to water
wonderfully.  Then we all sat in my kitchen with a giant pile of towels, in
which I helped them to dry off.  I was power sniffed severely.  As well as
had one little girl who insisted on licking between my toes, very tickly.
All have ear mites which we are ridding them of.  Due to only being fed
soft food the older kids from the group have the worse teeth I've ever
seen.  One little old lady, while checking her teeth had one just fall out
on me.  So teeth cleaning and some removals, due to massive rot will be
needed.
 
The only boy of the group, a big hansom silver boy, is in this morning for
his neuter.  He is about 4-5 years old and in rutt.  He's been extremely
stressed and has had quite the bout with diarrhea.  Everyone was examed
yesterday, and he stayed.
 
Gerdy, a sweet little chubby sable girl will be needing an ekg, blood work
and x-ray.  That will be done Wednesday.  Her heart is horrible.  I'm not
one to tell much normally, but my vet had me listen and I couldn't believe
it.  It would race, then sputter and do a very slow beat for 3 or 4 beats,
then make some horrible sound and start that all over again.  Monday and
Tuesday the rest of the girls will be spayed.  We know Gerdy will be too,
but we want to see exactly what's going on with her first before risking
surgery.  Gerdy also is the only one to bite.  Though she did have good
reason.  Her ears are terribly sore due to the mite infestation and I had
to clean and treat them.  She screamed and bit me rather well.  I had to
make up with some feretone, which took me some convincing before she would
trust me.  She know seems to think I'm not quite as bad and will come up to
see me again.
 
Due to diet and being unaltered this kids are really yellowish/orange.
They are beautiful now, but once they are whitened up, they will be just
stunning.  Many from this group are silvers, dews and even a panda.  At
least 3 of the girls are deaf, possibly more.  I'm sure due again to the
bad breeding.
 
The next day after coming home with these guys, a 4-5 year old Marshal girl
was dropped off.  She's just sweet as can be too.  The ex-owner said she
did not have time to feed or water her any longer, and that for that last
year she has not be let out of her cage.  She now refuses to want any part
of being caged.  I'm sure afraid she will be trapped for a year again.  She
is an absolute pleasure to be around while she's out though.  And loves as
much attention as she can get.
 
If you visit my site (listed below) we have got their pics up under the
adoptable page.  Though it will be at least two weeks before everyone will
actually be ready to leave.  Some will be here for some time most likely.
I hate to ask, but please look at our ebay page
[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask] and consider
bidding.  There are really some beautiful items there.  We are up to our
armpits in costs, between surgeries, vaccines and x-rays..ect.  We also
appreciate any supportive thoughts sent our way.
 
Hugs to all of your and your fuzzie children.
 
Kristine Lunny
 
Friends of Fuzzies Ferret Shelter
http://www.geocities.com/mimsy_01
[Posted in FML issue 3015]