Some of you might remember the story of Codo and Ayla who were abandoned at my home in April. Both had obviously been abused. While Ayla's injuries were emotional, Codo's were physical. Three of his legs were partially paralyzed. He couldn't walk, just scoot across the floor on his tummy, pulled by the one good leg while the other legs flailed aimlessly. The vet said there was no sign of pain; Codo had some neurological damage from either a big fall or being stepped on (the likelier explanation). We started a home program of physical therapy with little hope of improvement. Ayla had taken care of Codo for so long, helping him up ramps and keeping him from falling of cage shelves, that she didn't encourage him to play; she was just too careful of him. When he met our other two rescues, Rhys and Frost, he got a close-up look at what a ferret's life is supposed to be like. The other boys left him alone for the most part, instinctively knowing that he couldn't play chase or wrestle. But, they didn't have to; just watching them was impetus enough for him to try. I thought we'd done really well when, in June, he was able to stand. By July he could stagger a few steps without falling over, could make tiny stiff-legged hops, and had greater control over his toilet routine. I took him for a walk outside on Tuesday. He shocked me by being able to climb over the 4x4s that edge out flower beds. Then, he climbed up the two four-inch concrete steps up to our front door. I couldn't help but pick him up and cuddle him while I shed a few tears of joy. The matter of getting in and out of the cage has been an issue for Codo these months. In Super Pet cages, the door swings down to rest at an angle. The door makes a nice ramp up into the cage, if you're not using the stand to the cage. The stand ads four inches of height to the cage, leaving the door/ramp four inches off the floor. The other ferrets could jump that height or pull themselves up with their front legs, but Codo couldn't. And, you'd believe I was flabbergasted by finding him able to get in the cage himself today, Wednesday. Codo still has good days and bad days with his legs, and the muscle spasms that make his legs stick out like straight rods still occur. Still, I classify this one as a miracle. I thought we'd be carrying him forevermore and always having to bathe him after he used the bathroom. This big fluffy guy is being a "real" ferret now, wrestling with the boys and crawling through the tubes. Thanks for all your prayers and well-wishes! They've made a difference! With respect, Lori in Ohio Ferrets: Rhys, Frost, Ayla, & Codo Cats: Reaganne & Little Miss [Posted in FML 6437]