>From: Krista Templeman <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: SND (sleeping not dead)??? > >Well last night I had my first experience with this "coma-like sleep"... >very scary! I had read about it before and knew in the back of my mind >that it happens but when it did, my mind went blank. Buddy was asleep >in my arms for a while and when I picked her up she didn't move, stretch, >yawn, nothing....I started calling her name, still no response, I gave >her to my boyfriend in a panic, as he was sat next to me. He took her >while I completely panicked saying she was dead, needless to say I was on >the kitchen floor sobbing like crazy when Buddy walked over and crawled >in my lap, looking at me like I was a fool. While I was hysterical, she >had woken up.....it took me a few minutes to register what had happened. >I went to my "ferrets for dummies" book and looked up excessive sleeping >and found out, what I already knew, that it was completely normal. I am >still however very shaken up over it. I know, I must sound like a way >too overly protective Mom, but it scared the heck out of me! I honestly >thought she was dead. I guess what I'm looking for is some reassurance >from a more experienced ferret owner who has been through this before, >I'm even still scared to pick her up incase it happens again.... > >Krista Templeman Dear Krista, I've been there. Its very scary but very natural. When I first got Bailey (he's our oldest at about 4) I worried alot about adopting an older ferret. You know disease, short life span, etc. etc. Well he was asleep in his hammy. I was working on the computer and hadn't really noticed him but when I got up I saw him laying in the hammy, his hanging over the side and his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth. I freak! I freaked out of the room. I freaked back into the room. I freak down the hall to get Patrick, I freaked back to the room. And then Bailey raised his head up, yawned and lipped his lips and gave this, "why are freaking dad?" look. I think at that point I passed out from freakhaustion. :) I think all of us have been gotten by the fugitives from a furcoat at one time or another. Welcome to the club :) Dooks, Hawk & Patrick, Salem, Faye, Bandit, Bowser, Bailey, Ferry and Sugar the ferts Pyewacket & Azriel the cats and Smokey the African Grey Blessings to all animals great and small and those of us who love and adore them. [Posted in FML issue 4021]