Dear Ms. Debi;
 
    At the risk of having people disagree, which is their privilege, what
you describe with Logan in "and I'm just frightened that Logan is "going
bonkers" since he's been tossed around so much and made to live in his own
filth";
 
    This is a very clear case of abuse, plain & simple.  If there were any
doubt, your saying "I've even walked out on him for being so abusive.....",
really makes it clear.  I have cried too many times reading of shelters
getting little ferrets that have bones broken, internal injuries, a recent
case where a plastic flea collar was put on and left alone for probably a
year to where it was so tight it had to be surgically removed as the skin
was growing around the band.  The ferret could hardly walk!  This ferret was
lucky, too many have died despite the most valiant efforts to save them.
 
    Speaking from a crisis intervention standpoint, (personal opinion here)
I'd take the ferrets (all) and leave the fellow!  There are too many
instances of people ending up dead from abusive relationships, almost every
night on any major TV station.  If there are reasons you wish to try & make
a relationship with him, the best hope would be for professional counselling
assistance, and the ferrets to remain with you during that time.  They are
innocent victims that cannot fend for their selves.
 
    I really do not apologize here for being very direct, as I've worked
with and had foster children of the two legged type for some 12 years, and
the stories of child abuse of the two legged variety are no less horrid than
the four footed abuse I've heard of.  You also mention his oldest ferret has
already died, you suspect from being "tossed about" so much.  I'm aware our
society in the big cities, and even small towns sometimes, is getting so
stressed that there are growing cases of animal abuse as well as the spousal
and two legged child abuse.  Even recent cases of torture and beating to
death with baseball bats in southern Kalifornia of cats, two separate
instances on separate days in one week.
 
    It really gets my dander up when some - bully - takes his frustrations
out on helpless victims, two or four legged matters not, but I even get
steamed more when it is a four legged victim since they can't run to
authorities for protection.
 
    If you can't care for the ferrets, there are shelters all across the
country that are existing to help prevent cruelty to the little ones.
Beating and making a child sleep in his own defecation is just plain cruel.
The man needs help almost as bad as the ferret, but the ferret must be
protected, they depend on us for their very life.
 
    Please feel free to e mail me personally & I can find a shelter to help
with care, or just someone close to talk to.  If it get's urgent, I'll pay
for the call, let me know at 800-209-1071, any time day or night.
 
    Life is too precious to tolerate abuse, please protect yourself and the
ferrets.
 
    Sincerely, Gary
 
Violence is not strength,  Compassion is not weakness.    From Camelot.
[Posted in FML issue 1399]