Omigosh, it's been a while since I've written about Diamond. In a nutshell, she's thriving. I have her in an extended playpen in a spare bedroom. I'm wary (aka overprotective) of her ability to navigate ramps & shelves. She WAS sleeping in a 14x14 fabric-covered foam cube until last Thursday. Last Thursday I was taking a nap before going to work. I was disturbed by a little cold ferret nose sniffing my ankles. I had put her away before I laid down but obviously I did something wrong. I snagged her, loved her up, put her back in the playpen, checked for any ways out but everything was secure. Doggone, if a few minutes later, I could hear her climbing up the bed. I waited for her & then got up & put her back in the playpen again ....... and watched from the hallway. She watched me watching her but her new-found achievement got the best of her. This little 3-legged girl climbed up on top of her cube, which was also probably 3 inches away from the side of the playpen. She then jumped, caught the top bar with her left paw, bit the bar like she was testing its support, and wiggled her way over the top. I was dumbfounded. Her landing didn't bother her one bit. She landed, got herself balanced and off she went, so proud of herself .... until she got scooped up again by me. I congratulated her as I put her back and informed her she just lost her cube. She was going to have to settle for her sleep sack and hanging tube. She was not a happy girl. She watched me take it away and actually went into a little diva pout. Diamond made her first public appearance at the MFF 7th Anniversary Party in February wearing a collar with red heart-shaped jewels. Her second big event was this past weekend at the West Michigan Pet Expo. She was there both days, Saturday and Sunday. She tolerated being put in her carrier and being pulled out although I was told at one point, she spread her hind legs to catch something so whoever it was getting her out, couldn't. She endured all the petting and holding with much grace; and I think she may have learned how to sleep with her eyes open. I have her picture with a Burnese Mountain Dog that was pulling a cart .... The caption is "Diamond's Running With The Big Dogs". The only noticeable residual from her ordeal is a 3-4 inch scar on the back of her neck. Diamond has the run of the house when she's out & about. Her favorite sleeping spot is in the sofa and since I can't get my hand in to get her out, a squeaky toy gets an amazing reaction ... she scrambles out in a flash. NOW FOR THE OTHER THINGS .... ***I am honored and humbled by the Friends of Ferret Shelters to be their chosen shelter for their April raffle. I had every intention of having a raffle for Diamond after her surgery in November but was never able to get one done. Susanne and Lisa doing this shelter for me is a Godsend. If you haven't had a chance, please visit the website to take a look, there's still time. Your support is greatly appreciated ... more than you'll ever know. http://www.shelterfriends.blogspot.com/ Every raffle winner will receive a picture of Diamond with her favorite guy, Dr. Mike. ***Friday, March 20 was an extremely frustrating day. I waiting for a volunteer that was a "no-show". I received a call from "Chris" that he had a ferret he wanted to surrender and we made an appointment for 1PM. I waited. He was a "no-show". I called. He forgot. We made an appointment for 4PM. He was a "no-show". I called. He forgot. I was wasting a day waiting for this guy. I finally told him I had errands to run in his area & I would pick up this ferret. 8PM ... Chris told me he couldn't get "Vixen" to eat, he'd had her for 2 weeks, got her from his cousin and she was 20 months old. This was the most emaciated, dehydrated ferret I've ever seen, nothing but skin and bones. She lay limp in what I call a "guinea pig cage". I called my friend, June, (June's a vet tech) to meet me at my house. We immediately syringed turkey baby food and gave her 20 cc's of sub-q fluids. She weighed in at 10.9 ounces!!! Chris had said he took her to the emergency vet clinic, spent $275 and was told to give her molasses and mushed food. Thank God, she made it through the nite and gained 3 ounces. I took care of her Friday & Saturday. June came for her Sunday since I had to work. June also had the luxury of being able to take Vixen with her to work so she could continue the feedings and sub-q. Today, I'm relieved to say, we have another success story. Funny thing is, June told me she'd take her but never made a reference as to when she'd bring her back. Surprise, surprise, surprise ..... Vixen has a new home. Another funny thing, her co-workers (at a cat clinic, mind you) brought it to June's attention that Vixen has a penis. Chris said Vixen was a "she". Vixen was in such bad condition, I never thought to look because the priority was to keep her alive. Now that Vixen has her/his strength back, June is noticing juvenile behavior so she's thinking Vixen is 20 weeks and not 20 months. Vixen has an appointment with a vet this week. The count here today is 62. ***Upcoming events: April 18 -- Michigan State University's Vetavisit. (Midwest Ferret Fellowship) May 2-3 -- Tulip Time Festival, Holland, MI (West Michigan Ferret Connection) June 14 -- Petapalooza, Holland MI (West Michigan Ferret Connection) October 17 -- Midwest Ferret Fellowship Faire, Grand Rapids, MI Dee Gage West Michigan Ferret Connection [Posted in FML 6296]