Hello Family again: Boy, I'd forgotten how much I missed the FML. Already I have gotten four e-mails from readers: it's so nice to converse with those who understand the lovable critters. Two topics on today's post: first, I need medical advice for my very slothy ferret. After that, I have a request for poets out there willing to "donate" a piece to the Pennsylvania Ferret Rescue Association. Patches is a very special ferret of mine, but then again of course they all are for different reasons. For Patches, it's because of where he came from, and how he "weaseled" his way into my heart. I first learned of him when I got a call that a ferret was running loose in a townhouse complex. I got my "ferret finder" kit and went to look. I never found him, but in trying to locate the owner, I knocked on the door of his owners neighbors. The woman, Cindy, told me horror stories about the "family" who owned him (a hodgepodge of unrelated adults and some children lived there). Patches was being abused, kept in the July heat on a deck with no shelter, the children tossed him around like a ball or swung him by the tail. I knocked on the owners door and was not greeted nicely. The owner, Joy, told me that he stank and was better outdoors. I had already peeked on her deck and saw the filth he lived in: cage with feces everywhere, cedar chips soaked with urine, a cardboard box for a litterpan that was so overflowing that it curdled my stomach. For food: I saw wilted lettuce, crusty bread, and other undefinable things. No cat food/ferret food. No water bottle, only a pan that was upside down. I asked about the food/water situation, Joy told me that he was a "finicky" eater and they'd give him what they had. She justified the water thing by saying that she "gives him water but it's not her problem if he dumps it." To shorten a long, horrible story, I fought for months to get that ferret, and finally, when the landlord kicked her out and Social Services took custody of her kids, the neighbor convinced her to give him up. I never learned his name, age, medical history, etc.; I was just happy to have him. After being for adoption for a few months, I knew he was just one of those that I couldn't let go. Now, nearly two years later, I'm SOOO scared I'm going to lose him. He over-compensated for his poor eating habits of the past by overeating grossly. At first the weight gain was welcomed; I was so glad he was getting better. But over the past six months or so I've noticed that he's become so slothy that he was having trouble breathing (so it seems; he breathes heavily) and he is getting less and less active. Some days, when he has run time, he only walks to go to the bathroom or to beeline it to the cat's food dish. I suspected heart trouble at first, but now it doesn't look that way, after a series of x-rays over several months. He's been dieting (down to 1/2 cup of Pro Plan daily, and down to one raisin a day from 5). Today began our excercise: spring broke today so we're going to go outside every nice day. He was active for about 5 minutes today before he got pooped and just plopped down, but hey, that's 5 minutes more than he'd have gotten before. Does anyone out there have any advice on dieting, exercise, or slothy ferrets? Since he's been dieting, he's dropped from 1600g to 1550 in a month. Of course, I don't just want him to waste, I want him to get healthy. Please, if you have any idea what could be causing his lethargy (if not fat) or if you can offer advice, I really want to save this precious kid's life. Post or privately e-mail, just please help!!! Now, on to the poetry thing. The following poem is about a stray cat: I know it doesn't have anything to do with ferrets, but I want someone creative to read this poem and write a new one, of similar nature but not close enough to be plagerism, that I can use for the Rescue. I want to make prints or cards of it to sell for the shelter, so you must be willing to donate the poem to me but I'll always use your name as author. Everyone who has a heart (and you're here, so you all do) MUST read this poem, closely. It will touch you. STRAY CAT Oh, what unhappy twist of fate Has brought you, homeless, to my gate? The gate where once another stood To beg for shelter, warmth, and food From that day I ceased to be The master of my destiny. While he with purr and velvet paw Became within my house, The Law He scratched the furniture and shed And claimed the middle of my bed. He ruled with arrogance and pride, And broke my heart the day he died. So if you really think, oh cat, I'd willingly relive all that Because you come forlorn and thin, Well don't just stand there, Come on in. Author Unknown Don't it just tug your heartstrings?? Weep, weep... Post or email your poetry attempt! Please!! Kymberlie Becker <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Pennsylvania Ferret Rescue Association [Posted in FML issue 1885]