I've been owned by ferrets for the past ten years.  In the ferret world
now days, that's not very long.  I've only lost four of my babies so far.
In the ferret world, that's not a lot either.  Our first pair came from
a 15 year old girl with no time to devote to them.  They were Holly and
Michael.  We didn't know much about ferrets and unfortunately lost Holly
to an accident involving a dresser.  She was about two.  By then we'd
added Rocky, the love of my life.  He was given to us by friends who got
him from some of their friends.  They thought we'd be able to devote more
attention to him.  We did and I made him the promise to be his Mommy
forever.  I did that.  We then added a beautiful albino girl which we
named Sno.  She was nine months old and a biter.  My daughter calmed the
biting down and she gives us the most kisses.  Our neighbours' daughter
gave us a petite silver mitt girl we named Lucy.  She was given up
because her family didn't want to include her in their new house when
they moved.  Lucy had advanced adrenal when she came to us.  We were able
to love her for around a year before I helped her to the Bridge.  We had
already lost Michael to a bowel obstruction.  We thought he passed all of
it, we saw some of it passed at the vet's office, but he didn't and later
died in my daughter's arms.  He lived in her heart and still does.  And
my precious Rocky, he had inoperable adrenal and insulinoma.  He was on
pred. for about a year.  He passed on the way to the vet's to be helped
to the Bridge.  I like to think he was saving me from the pain of going
through with the shot.  Since they were all "rescues" with limited
information our estimates of age at the time of death are: Holly was
about two, Michael was about three and a half, Lucy was about five, and
Rocky was about six.
 
Sno is still with us.  She's about seven.  She's never had anything
requiring surgery.  She's currently finishing up her meds for
Helicobacter, her only illness.  We also have Pooh, who's four and using
Meletonin implants for adrenal control.  Lexus and Maggie, who're one and
a half.  Maggie is also using Meletonin implants for suspected adrenal.
Anna-Belle, Scarlett, and Blaise are all six months and younger, from
pet stores.  Princess is a two year old rescue.  All are and were
Marshall Farms except Sno who is Path Valley.
 
I feel like our experience is pretty normal.  We know so much more now.
I know we did all we could for our four babies.  Even Holly, because at
the time we hadn't known about the potential for disaster.  Consider
yourself blessed if you've had a baby stay with you for eight or more
years.  Many think they are prone to disease and such, but are they
really?  Think about their shortened lifespans.  Dogs and cats usually
live to be well over ten years with some living over fifteen years.
Ferrets pack a lot more health problems into a shorter lifespan.  I know
for sure all of mine, living and at the Bridge, have brought me so much
joy and happiness.  It has always been worth the pain of their loss.
 
Give your babies hugs and kisses,
Christa
Sno, Pooh, Lexus, Maggie, Anna-Belle, Princess, Scarlett, and Blaise
Missing Holly, Michael, Lucy, and Rocky (Bubbie)
[Posted in FML issue 4795]