A few weeks ago, I adopted a furry little ferret named "Rowdy". To me, he didn't seem so rowdy. After all, he just had a lot of pent up energy. Small cage, not enough time out is what I was guessing. Still, you could tell he was loved by his previous "parents". It took us about a week to find him a more appropriate name, which is now "Tweak". Mainly because he "tweaks out" and lets you know that he needs time to play.
Tweak has been the joy of our family, despite the ankle biting and toe nibbling urging us to play. He puts up with my 3 year old daughter chasing him around and shrieking when he gets close enough to nibble her little toes. At his delight he scampers and hops away chattering playing the "come get me" game.
Last week I decided to start searching for a furry friend for him to play with. Ferrets don't need other ferrets to play with in order to be happy, but it helps. It gives them someone to play with when the "parent" gets too tired to keep up with their antics. I looked on Petfinder.com and found a slew of other animals. Bookmarked the ones I thought would be decent matches and then checked out craigslist.com where I had found Tweak awaiting me.
I found a posting for "Ferrets and Cage" and opened it up. The ad was very simple, 3 ferrets, 2 male, 1 female all fixed and de-scented, needing new home. $150 for all, $40 per ferret without cage. I replied, asking about biting habits, vaccinations etc.
I received a message back saying that they were good ferrets and so forth. So I told them I was wanting to come and see them on the next Wednesday. When I arrived, I was horrified. Ferrets are normally 3-5 lbs depending on age, weight and sex. One larger ferret, a male, barely weighed a pound. You could feel every bone in their bodies. Every part of their spine, hips, even tail. Instead of one, I took two. I couldn't stand to leave them there for them to die. I chose the two worst and felt bad for the third, but in my head, I had told myself at least I was saving two.
The two boy ferrets, nearly lifeless, laid in our laps. My brother and I took them to the pet stores to get "Duk Soup" for sick, malnourished and aged ferrets. It's a high protein, high fat mushy food to help them gain weight fast and increase their appetites. They ate for hours. I then gave them bathes and introduced them to Tweak. Before the end of the night the little boys were named "Skunk" and "Shaman". Skunk actually has a white mark on his head down his neck. Shaman has that old wise look to his face. Both appeared young, within two years of age by looking at their teeth. Before going to bed, they ate again, as if they didn't know when their next meal was coming.
I had the hardest time getting to sleep. My mind kept wandering back to the ferret I left behind. Now lonely, away from the two ferrets she slept with nightly, I wondered if she was ok. I wondered how badly her malnourishment was since theirs very evident by looking at them. I dreamt about ferrets dying and hurting. It was a horrible night.
When I awoke the next morning, Skunk and Shaman were waiting for me. They eagerly looked at me wondering if they were getting their Duk Soup for breakfast. I quickly loved on them while Tweak slept and then gave them their nummies. They ate slowly almost as if they were savoring each little morsel. After getting dressed I looked and they were curled up next to Tweak. It was then that I decided that if I had three, four couldn't be any worse.
I went to work and told my story to others. I asked others for help. Despite everyone feeling bad for the little girl, no one could help. I texted the owner again and pleaded for her release along with the cage, explaining I could not afford to give him what he was asking. Something in him must have known that this ferret needed to have a life. He told me I could take her and the cage for an additional $20.00. My heart soared.
I picked up the little girl and her cage and rushed her home. She, like Skunk and Shaman was ravenous. Her bath was brief and then came the cuddles. Once she was warm and knew we would not harm her, she was introduced to the pack.
The looks I have gotten from my rescued ferrets have been both unbelieving and thankful. Each time I put in new food, take out feces and take them out to play it seems as if it is something new for them. The first time they were allowed to roam and check out their surroundings both Shaman and Skunk just kind of sat still wondering what to do.
Shaman has gained a little weight in just under a day, just as skunk has. Today, Skunk actually played with Tweak instead of letting Tweak nibble on him and run away. Shaman, still very weak actually explored and had a little bounce to him, not much, but a little. All big improvements from yesterday. I know each day, they will be healthier and eventually become like Tweak and bounce everywhere, chattering when he is happy and exploring everything causing me to chase after him.
It's moments like this that I just can't understand how someone would let an animal starve to death. How could you look at them every day and just keep saying "I'll get to it later or tomorrow" and just never do it. I don't know what the circumstances were with their previous handlers, but I know I could never allow something so innocent to be neglected.
Each ferret kiss, each little sigh while laying on my lap, each look after getting a meal tells me that these little guys have feelings. Their soul speaks a million words that I can hear each and every interaction.
I have rescued turtles too. Seems like a hobby I guess, rescuing things that people don't want. Ever seen a turtle smile? I have. They can. Mine smile when they get a treat that they love. They look at me, look at the treat and run. It's moments like those that I feel I have made a difference in this world. I challenge you to do the same.
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