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Post by Tressie on Apr 14, 2009 17:22:06 GMT -4
Ferrets can, and do grieve. They can grieve for the loss of a bonded companion but can also grieve if they lose their human family.
I wanted to share this true story - with permission from the author Phyllis Spy. Phyllis' post was in response to someone who took in a ferret when his owner unfortunately had to give him up.
BEGIN QUOTE:
Those surrenders are the hardest for the shelter. The owners leave the shelter in tears over a very difficult decision - terminal illness, moving out of country, etc. Then the ferret goes through a difficult time as he is confused over why he is in this strange place and not with his beloved family.
We had one surrender where the owner was moving to Israel. The ferret was almost 5 years old and taking him along was not an option.
The owner arrived at the shelter just one day before she was due to fly to Israel. She was in tears as she handed over her beloved ferret and all his belongings. The shelter operator was holding the ferret in her arms as the owner left and the ferret never took his eyes off his beloved human. Then it went from bad to worse... He refused to come out of his cage. He refused his food and every brand of ferret and kitten food we could think of. He stopped drinking water. He was being forced fed Duck Soup, sub-q'd for hydration, held and cuddled, and yet he was dying right before our eyes.
We were frantic to try to help this little guy through his grief and loss. I was so desperate that I called a good friend and asked him and his wife for prayers for this ferret. Two days later, this friend called to say that his other ferret told him that he needed to drive to our shelter and bring this ferret to their house. We warned him of all the issues and that the ferret might end up passing of a broken heart. He understood the risk, but was willing to do whatever it took to get this ferret back on track.
Well, he arrived at the shelter, picked up the ferret and drove two hours back to his house, talking to the ferret the whole way home. As soon as they arrived home, the friend made up a dish of warm Duck Soup, took the ferret and gave him a "pep talk" like a NFL Football coach, put him down on the floor and the ferret ate the entire bowl of soup, explored his new home, found his new hammie, went to sleep and repeated this again in a couple of hours. The friend called the shelter director and said "I think you gave me the wrong ferret, because this ferret is just fine!" This ferret now has a new home, a new family, a new sister, and a new name and is doing WONDERFUL.
Sorry for the long post, but felt it was worth telling Wilson's story of loss and eventual success with his new family.
Phyllis
END QUOTE
The shelter director in this case did everything to try to bring this ferret around. I know her personally and I know how worried she was and was doing absolutely everything, including giving him tons of love. But he continued to grieve until someone had the compassion to take in a senior ferret and restore his will to live by giving him a forever home.
Wilson is now living happily with his new adoptive ferrents and his new ferret sister Melodie.
Tressie
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Ashley
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Post by Ashley on Apr 22, 2009 14:03:38 GMT -4
You know I never could understand how people can just give away their pets, I know in this case the owners didn't seem to have a choice, but I know I have one little guy that just follows me around everywhere, never wanting to leave my side. No matter where he goes or what he does, he's happy as long as he's with me, and reading stories like this just makes me want to cry at the thought of ever having to part with any of my amazing six ferrets, I just couldn't do it.
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Post by Tressie on Apr 22, 2009 19:07:58 GMT -4
I feel the same way Ashley. I remember when Wilson's human mom first posted looking for a home for him and a number of us tried to convince her to keep him.
I don't know - there is always a choice. The choice not to move to Israel. The choice to take the ferret with you.
My view - if you wouldn't give up your kids in similar circumstances - you don't give up your fuzzkids! There is always a way to be able to keep your ferrets unless you are dying from a terminal illness; have a serious allergy (fairly rare with ferrets) or have had a stroke or an accident and aren't capable of caring for them.
That's why I send some pretty heavy hitting information to people wanting to adopt. They've got to think ahead for at least 6 years and plan their lives with the fuzzkids in mind.
And I guess that's the biggest issue people don't think about what's really involved before getting a ferret.
I am adopting a cat and two of her kittens in a week - and I am committed for the next 18 years at least - to care for them.
Tressie
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mindy
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Post by mindy on Apr 22, 2009 20:35:07 GMT -4
And I guess that's the biggest issue people don't think about what's really involved before getting a ferret. i think that is the problem when it comes to a lot of pets. with ferrets, though, i think that it is much easier for someone to be this way. they think of ferrets as pocket pets, caged pets, something disposable. it is very sad. i could NEVER leave any of my pets. even when frodo meows ALL morning and i don't get any sleep and i am super cranky, i still would never give him up  |
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Post by lindseybarnie on Aug 5, 2009 23:32:46 GMT -4
I have a lot of pets, I have horses, Pet sheep, Cats, a dog, fish, Finches and a hamster. I strongly don't ever think of giving up ANY of my animals! I always take my hamster outside with me and let her explore in the grass, She's rarely in her cage, cause I hate caging up animals. The sheep are always out for walks (they think they're dogs) and The horse is always ridden (Other one's retired  ). Whenever someone decides to get something that involves commitment should stick to it! Don't go buy a pet rat and forget about it in a month, That's selfish and irresponsible! I've got all my pets, And for however long they're gonna live, I'm commmitted to them. They're friends, They're companions, They're my life. <3 |
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Post by Johnny and Demon on Aug 6, 2009 10:08:36 GMT -4
My view - if you wouldn't give up your kids in similar circumstances Tressie Well I feel the same. You always have a choice no matter what. Its like when you are young and say: " I go to school because I have no choice". Well yes you have the choice to go or to not to but you know the best for you is to go. I don't want to be rude or anything but I can't understand. Pets and kids are very similar. They need you. Take care of a sick ferret (or any other pet) is the same as taking care of a sick infant. You have to do choices for them, because they are innocent in this world. My boyfriend and I always said that if we want to move one day, we move with the babies ( ferrets). I think that when you love someone, you feel like you will never let go. I don't understand people that get rid of their pets, but whats pissing me off are people that post add on kijiji saying that "I love my pets and don't really get rid of them but ..". Thats stupid. Sorry, thats my opinion. Yes, ferrets are cute, but they are like kids of 3 years old. So please think twice before getting one. Oh and thats remember me, when I walk my ferrets, most people say: "woah they are cute ! Its fun small animals don't take much care". Uh sorry, YES, they DO ! & then I start the long High Maintnance speach. What a surprise on people face when you told them how it costs to take care of a ferret ! lamo If people read about the animal they want to before getting one, there will be no FLSAC and SPCA... |
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Post by Johnny and Demon on Aug 6, 2009 10:13:57 GMT -4
Oh and just a thought, when people will stop to say "I have to get rid of my pet (most of time cats) because of allergy"  I had allergy when I was 5½ til 12 ! and I was fighthing them to stay with my dog haha ;D What I mean is .. severe allergies concern only 2% of the population. Usually, with medication and time you can get rid of your allergy instead of your pets  |
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mindy
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Post by mindy on Aug 6, 2009 10:28:26 GMT -4
i am allergic to things with fur... i suffer it out! i am most of all allergic to dust and i can't do anything about that so why would i get rid of the pets? i am going to suffer pets or no pets, so i would MUCH rather have pets around to love and cuddle than suffer with just the dust. (if that makes any sense!  ) |
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Post by airy on Aug 11, 2009 14:21:33 GMT -4
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes reading that story..Just don't understand how anyone could part with a beloved pet like that, if it were me I simply wouldn't go..never for any reason would i ever get rid of my ferrets, there is always a way if you look hard enough, I would move heaven and earth to keep my ferrets, Just the thought of parting with them breaks my heart..Pets are a lifetime commitment not material possessions that you can just part with whenever you feel they are nolonger convenient to keep anymore. I regard my pets as family so there is nothing in this world that would ever make me part with mine. Too many people are giving pets away, some of the ads I see on Kijiji make me sick, like one i seen a few months ago, someone put a ad up looking to get rid of their dog, the reason why?? because they just got a new dog and it was not getting along with the older dog..why in the hell would they get rid of a dog they already had and keep the new dog they just got?? its sickening!!! Sometimes a cat will have kittens, the owners will decide that one of the kittens are just to cute to part with..not being able to have anymore cats for whatever reason they will get rid of the mama cat and keep the cute little kitten instead, this is quite common too..I swear that there should be a license to have pets..same goes for kids..some people don't deserve them either. I agree with Tressie that there are some legit reasons why people do have to part with their pets, some reasons are completely understandable and I really feel for those people, but for other people I feel that they make no effort to keep their pets and see them as inconveniences. If people would stop and consider the commitment that comes with having a pet instead of falling inlove with that cute little face and disregarding all logic of bringing it home..there would not be as nearly as many orphan animals as there are today Oh, and on this topic, I was in Pet village a month ago and there was this most gorgeous baby ferret who i just fell inlove with, I nearly bought her, but of course I thought it through and decided against it because right now is not a good time to take on another ferret as I have a lot going on right now and plan on relocating across the province within the next month or two. So I left that pet shop feeling sad for just leaving her there, then yesterday I see that exact same ferret on kijiji. The ad said they only had her for a week and a half, made me want to cry, here she thought she had a forever home and before two weeks time they are tying to find a new home for her, I know they are not trying to profit off her because 250.00 is what i was going to pay for her that day and is what they were asking for, and i do believe their story about why they are getting rid of her..but still it makes me sad, because even though I only spent a few minutes with her, I did get attached to her..I just pray she will find a nice forever home where she will be loved. I still think about calling those people and buying her but I am trying to be reasonable here and need to be responsible, now is not a good time for me to have another ferret here is her ad if anyone wants to see just how beautiful she is... saintjohn.kijiji.ca/c-pets-other-pets-for-sale-BABY-FERRET-FOR-SALE-W0QQAdIdZ147247465oh, and whoever does buy her, I sure as hell hope they replace that cage. |
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Post by christina127 on Nov 3, 2009 14:02:05 GMT -4
I cried while reading all this.. i'd rather die then part with any of my babies..
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Post by christina127 on Nov 3, 2009 14:06:45 GMT -4
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Post by Johnny and Demon on Nov 3, 2009 15:46:34 GMT -4
How they dare to say those living criters ar "good money makers" ! Goodness ! How cruel is the world we are living in  |
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Post by christina127 on Nov 3, 2009 15:48:55 GMT -4
I no.. I'm starting to not even wanna look at the classifieds anymore..
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Post by airy on Nov 3, 2009 19:32:17 GMT -4
How they dare to say those living criters ar "good money makers" ! Goodness ! How cruel is the world we are living in "Good money makers"..well that should certainly convince someone to give up their poor ferret to her  . Seriously WTF??? Honestly, how could anyone EVER trade a pet for another pet?? I pray some moron did not give her a ferret!!, I viewed her other ads, she is also looking for a bunny and giving away a cat, Certainly leaves me under the impression that animals can be disposable. So heartbreaking, think about it, she ends up getting that ferret, what happens if she decides a iguana or hedgehog will be her flavor of the month?? Will the ferret possibly be traded off?? Okay, I know I am getting downright mean here so Im gonna stop my rant on this poor person but seriously, I hope she knows what she is doing and those poor chinchillas end up in a good and loving home and if she does get her ferret..well I just hope it will be under better circumstances and she will truly love and care for them. |
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Post by Johnny and Demon on Nov 3, 2009 20:34:15 GMT -4
"truly love and care" .. she obviously don't give a F--- about pets How sad but true .. There's only two kind of people in this world: those that take their pets as 3 yearls old kids and those that take them as car or any objects. They are cute, they want them, they don't have time for them, they do not have money and they get rid of them for another pet. I hate those people, they make me sick. I may be mean but I wish they eat sh*t and die ! |
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Post by Johnny and Demon on Nov 4, 2009 9:46:08 GMT -4
Maybe there's good news about the Chinchillas/ferret trade story ! I've posted the lady a message with a link to the page of FLSAC site where's Tressie post what Pet Stores don't tell you about ferrets and here's what she replied:
"well thank you so much and news papper sounds better then spending alot on bedding but i have looked them up alot and think its best if my son gets a baby rabbit im not sure yet what we will get him we still have the chichillas but thank u so much have a great day ".
I hope she will think twice before getting her son any kind of pets :S
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my fuzzbutts!
). Whenever someone decides to get something that involves commitment should stick to it! Don't go buy a pet rat and forget about it in a month, That's selfish and irresponsible! I've got all my pets, And for however long they're gonna live, I'm commmitted to them. They're friends, They're companions, They're my life. <3
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