Dear FML'ers, I haven't posted since we brought home sweet, old flat-headed Pappy with his many lumps- it is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Pappy is now dooking on the rainbow bridge. Pappy was the older Lympho ferret we adopted this past September. Pappy was making his way around our household on a daily basis, biting a slow cat now and then, or stealing the dog's food. His back-end suddenly stopped working, so we "walked" him with our hands to help him keep from soiling himself. He still had a great appetite, but I caught him grinding his teeth a few times, and he was sleeping more & more. My husband and I took Pappy to the vet's to have him looked over before we upped his predinsone- We go to Brook Run Animal Clinic (804-262-8621 -Richmond, VA)- Dr. Mike Zucarro is WONDERFUL!!! Dr. Zuccarro was so upset about Pappy. He found a large tumor along his spine (along with the lumps under his legs and neck)- he also had a small tumor growing quickly in his ear. There was also a sizable mass in his stomach. He thought that the tumor had probably penetrated his spinal column, and that he wouldn't regain his hind-end mobility. Pappy was estimated to be 6 years old- With many silent tears, I held Pappy and let him lick Ferritvite from my fingers while Dr. Zucarro gently put him to sleep. I whispered to Pappy that we loved him- and I know he heard me. I let Kymberlie Barone from the Pennsylvania Ferret Shelter know about Pappy- she was the one who originally took him into her shelter and trusted me enough to let Pappy come home with us- WHERE HE OPENED OUR HEARTS! Pappy is buried in a "real" people cemetery behind a horse farm-it's enclosed with a wrought iron fence, with other Old Farts- he's next to Samuel Mayes 1817-1887. Because of Pappy, We have started the RICHMOND FERRET RESCUE LEAGUE so that we can take in needy ferts ASAP- Pappy made us see how many ferrets need help- And even if it makes us cry, SOMEONE HAS TO OPEN THEIR HOMES AND HEARTS FOR THESE LITTLE GUYS!!! My husband and I are looking for a larger home with a separate area or building so we can accomodate more than the 11 we have now. I am BLESSED with a wonderful husband:-) OUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS- contact your nearest shelter and offer to donate time or food or ANYTHING to help out the wonderful folks who toil night & day for homeless ferrets. If possible, ADOPT A NEEDY FERRET so he'll be able to wake up on Christmas morning and have a real FAMILY, instead of staring out of his shelter cage and wondering where his family is. A shelter owner only has so much time to spend with each homeless ferret. I know there are ferrets that would give anything to be held and kissed and given a raisin for just an hour or so. PLEASE HELP!!! For anyone wondering about Rabies shots- I had the misfortune of putting my fingers in a rescued, upset ferret's reach- he really did some damage to my joints and thumbs- The next day my hands looked like footballs!!! I went to my GP expecting to just get some antibiotics- but she had a fit and wanted to know WHERE the animal was that bit me. I quickly told her a stray kitten at a flea market had done the damage- I did not want to chance having a headless ferret:-( Just to let y'all know- the rabies vaccines cost $1,800- (luckily I have great insurance)- it's a series of 5 shots - the first day ALL of the bite sites are injected- also your arm & butt- Then you go back 4 more times for arm injections. I'm happy to say I've finished my series and did not once foam at the mouth- and the upset rescued ferret is rehabilitating nicely- he still can't resist flesh if you put it in front of him- I just don't give him the opportunity:-) One more thing- I have an 8-month old deaf DEW altered female that absolutely will not tolerate any "new" ferrets. She's fine with the 6 "originals"- but she's hits on the new guys like a magnet- and she means to kill!!! She'll actually HUNT for them- Do y'all think she's just jealous or the next ferret serial killer? Any suggestions? I've tried switching bedding - she can see the "new" guys (yeah- 3 months "new")- I give her extra love to help any jealousy problems- doesn't work. She just hunts them down for the kill. If you get a chance- call me at home at 804-272-9791 or E-MAIL TO [log in to unmask] THANKS-MLB (Premier Pet Products- Home of the Ferret Fun 5-In-One Harness!!!) Merry Dooking!!! [Posted in FML issue 2510]