Friday, November 25, 2005
The Kitty
Mashed Potato is believed to be a Himalayan/Siamese mix. A SPCA, severely flea-infested, drop-off (she couldn't even open her eyes because of the fleas)--Mash has been with me since 8/23/03. I met Mash while volunteering at the SPCA with one of my clients and couldn't get her out of my head. I drove back the next day and adopted her.
Mash's name was inspired by the discovery of Tom Robbins' books, which were the focus of that summer. Having devoured all of his books (and nothing else) in a relatively short time--one apparently also begins to think like him...
Anyhoo, Mash is a very vocal cat (takes after the Siamese side, in that aspect) and she feels that living with the weasels is the lowest of lows and that no cat should ever be subjected to such torment. She's a lousy bug-hunter and acts more like a dog than a cat. She faithfully waits by the door while I am gone; she follows me from room-to-room when I am home; and she comes when you whistle--Mash is just one cool cat.
You can check out her blog at Mad Mash Beyond the Litterbox.
Mash's name was inspired by the discovery of Tom Robbins' books, which were the focus of that summer. Having devoured all of his books (and nothing else) in a relatively short time--one apparently also begins to think like him...
Anyhoo, Mash is a very vocal cat (takes after the Siamese side, in that aspect) and she feels that living with the weasels is the lowest of lows and that no cat should ever be subjected to such torment. She's a lousy bug-hunter and acts more like a dog than a cat. She faithfully waits by the door while I am gone; she follows me from room-to-room when I am home; and she comes when you whistle--Mash is just one cool cat.
You can check out her blog at Mad Mash Beyond the Litterbox.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
The Current Business
Sirius Black came to live with me on 7/21/07. Born on 4/23/07, Sirius was my first experience with baby teeth! Sirius is my only ferret from a breeder (Ravensnest Ferrets). He's a beautiful black sable hob (currently he looks like a regular sable). In keeping with his parent's names: RN's Fireball of FSF (chocolate hob) and FSF's Tootsie Roll of RN (chocolate solid jill) and also keeping in mind the Harry Potter theme that Ravensnest frequently uses; my little guy is named after one of my favorite characters in the HP books. He is fairly sure that Cinnamon is his ferret and has been obsessed with her since his first day here. He's growing into quite the little man and is especially fond of lying on his back and having his mommy rub his chest and belly. He's still intact (much to the dismay of my other ferrets and to the olfactory senses), but will be getting neutered closer to his first birthday.
My Cinnamon Girl was rescued on 6/7/06 from a very naïve animal hoarder. The stench was unbelievable. Dogs and cats everywhere imaginable. She meant well, but wow! Scary! She told me that the ferret was in such bad shape when she got it that its teeth were overgrown. She had to "give it stuff to wear its teeth down." Ferrets are NOT rodents, their teeth do NOT grow like that! I’ve heard of people filing ferrets’ teeth down or removing them altogether, but this is the first I’ve seen anything like it. She told me that the ferret would bite so hard that they would have to pry her mouth open with a metal file. She told me that she could not use Bitter Apple because it makes the ferret flip out and attack. The ferret even destroyed the Bitter Apple bottle. The lady's heart was in the right place, but I wish she would stick to cats and dogs. Weasel girl came home with me. What choice did I have? She's a total ball of energy and sometimes makes me crazy with her mischievous manner, but she is a sweetie none-the-less! Update 11/07: Cinnamon is still a little foot-biter and her energy levels haven't even dipped yet. She is always into everything and you can't turn your back on her! Cinnamon 2007.
Crimson Comet is named after an Australian comic book hero (so named for avenging the ticks that were almost his demise). His name was selected through an on-line contest (Monique picked that name). Found outside in a wood pile and surrendered to the SPCA, he was thoroughly covered in ticks to the point that they were life-threatening. He came to live here on 6/25/05 and is still working at overcoming his numerous fears and becoming a "normal" ferret. The other ferrets are helping him with seeing that there is to be no fear in a ferret's heart. Crimson has a sweet disposition (except towards Mash--I think he may be the true "cat killer" of the group) and everyone agrees that he is absolutely stunning. Update 11/07: Crimson shows no fear and no hint that he is anything but your normal ferret. He's still absolutely gorgeous! Crimson 2007.
Link #9 was already named Link when she came to live here on 6/11/04. Since she came here for dragging a kitten away and was feared to be a cat killer (plus she was the ninth ferret to come into my life)--she earned a #9 (for trying to steal the kitten's nine lives) after her name. Also, she was most unappealing and reminded me of a greasy link of sausage (song by Black Slaxx--33 Links of Sausage)--so she became Link #9 (The Cat Killer). She is the one ferret that not even the bullies will mess with. While she is loving and often keeps to herself--she is most savage if provoked. She has also lost the nasty, greasy coat and has acquired a soft, velvety one. Link is perhaps best known for her acceptance and welcoming of new ferrets when everyone else avoids or torments them. She also has a small, green, plastic frog that is "her baby" and she is often seen toting it with her throughout the house. Update 11/07: Link has been battling with adrenal disease, but it doesn't seem to have slowed her down. She still spends her time transporting plastic balls from one end of the ferret room to the other--when Cinnamon isn't tormenting her, that is! Link 2007.
Nanook of the North is named after an Inuit Eskimo known for his survival in the Arctic. Nanook overcame great odds and almost didn't make it. In his previous home, he survived cage escapes in an animal-unfriendly, Pit bull and Doberman-infested environment. Inactivity eventually claimed his back leg muscles (he would pull himself along with his front legs and had to receive physical therapy several times a day) and a burn in his mouth was preventing him from eating. Having dropped to an extremely unhealthy weight--it is believed that many of his brain cells were also lost. Nanook still tires easily and tends to be quite placid (not your average ferret). He has also become a bit of a glutton and is often found at the food bowl and even makes special trips to the cage so that he can eat while the others are out playing. However, after his first month of being kept alive solely with a heated wet food paste and a high calorie food supplement--seeing him eat on his own is still a happy thing (and he is able to use his back legs most of the time, now). Update 11/07: Nanook is finally gaining weight and becoming more active--he still pretty much has a zombie mentality though! Nanook 2007.
Winzig das Opossum (German for "tiny opossum") has been with me the longest of the current ferrets (12/13/02) and is the only one that came straight from the pet store to live with me. She is therefore known as "The Princess" since she has no idea about the horrors that most of her cagemates have lived through. She still had her own battle, early on. Having been spayed and descented too early, part of her female organs still remain which causes her problems from time to time. Winzig has also experienced the loss of more than a few of her cagemates. However, she maintains a positive, happy ferret attitude. Very dainty and delicate, one has to humor her (and try not to laugh) when she attempts to be ferocious. Update 11/07: Winzig has recently been discovered as the "Secret Biter." I'd hear tales of her biting and bad behavior from pet sitters and always thought they had her mixed up with someone else--my angel wouldn't act like that! Well, I've finally seen it with my own two eyes. She's still my special princess though! Winzig 2007.
My Cinnamon Girl was rescued on 6/7/06 from a very naïve animal hoarder. The stench was unbelievable. Dogs and cats everywhere imaginable. She meant well, but wow! Scary! She told me that the ferret was in such bad shape when she got it that its teeth were overgrown. She had to "give it stuff to wear its teeth down." Ferrets are NOT rodents, their teeth do NOT grow like that! I’ve heard of people filing ferrets’ teeth down or removing them altogether, but this is the first I’ve seen anything like it. She told me that the ferret would bite so hard that they would have to pry her mouth open with a metal file. She told me that she could not use Bitter Apple because it makes the ferret flip out and attack. The ferret even destroyed the Bitter Apple bottle. The lady's heart was in the right place, but I wish she would stick to cats and dogs. Weasel girl came home with me. What choice did I have? She's a total ball of energy and sometimes makes me crazy with her mischievous manner, but she is a sweetie none-the-less! Update 11/07: Cinnamon is still a little foot-biter and her energy levels haven't even dipped yet. She is always into everything and you can't turn your back on her! Cinnamon 2007.
Crimson Comet is named after an Australian comic book hero (so named for avenging the ticks that were almost his demise). His name was selected through an on-line contest (Monique picked that name). Found outside in a wood pile and surrendered to the SPCA, he was thoroughly covered in ticks to the point that they were life-threatening. He came to live here on 6/25/05 and is still working at overcoming his numerous fears and becoming a "normal" ferret. The other ferrets are helping him with seeing that there is to be no fear in a ferret's heart. Crimson has a sweet disposition (except towards Mash--I think he may be the true "cat killer" of the group) and everyone agrees that he is absolutely stunning. Update 11/07: Crimson shows no fear and no hint that he is anything but your normal ferret. He's still absolutely gorgeous! Crimson 2007.
Link #9 was already named Link when she came to live here on 6/11/04. Since she came here for dragging a kitten away and was feared to be a cat killer (plus she was the ninth ferret to come into my life)--she earned a #9 (for trying to steal the kitten's nine lives) after her name. Also, she was most unappealing and reminded me of a greasy link of sausage (song by Black Slaxx--33 Links of Sausage)--so she became Link #9 (The Cat Killer). She is the one ferret that not even the bullies will mess with. While she is loving and often keeps to herself--she is most savage if provoked. She has also lost the nasty, greasy coat and has acquired a soft, velvety one. Link is perhaps best known for her acceptance and welcoming of new ferrets when everyone else avoids or torments them. She also has a small, green, plastic frog that is "her baby" and she is often seen toting it with her throughout the house. Update 11/07: Link has been battling with adrenal disease, but it doesn't seem to have slowed her down. She still spends her time transporting plastic balls from one end of the ferret room to the other--when Cinnamon isn't tormenting her, that is! Link 2007.
Nanook of the North is named after an Inuit Eskimo known for his survival in the Arctic. Nanook overcame great odds and almost didn't make it. In his previous home, he survived cage escapes in an animal-unfriendly, Pit bull and Doberman-infested environment. Inactivity eventually claimed his back leg muscles (he would pull himself along with his front legs and had to receive physical therapy several times a day) and a burn in his mouth was preventing him from eating. Having dropped to an extremely unhealthy weight--it is believed that many of his brain cells were also lost. Nanook still tires easily and tends to be quite placid (not your average ferret). He has also become a bit of a glutton and is often found at the food bowl and even makes special trips to the cage so that he can eat while the others are out playing. However, after his first month of being kept alive solely with a heated wet food paste and a high calorie food supplement--seeing him eat on his own is still a happy thing (and he is able to use his back legs most of the time, now). Update 11/07: Nanook is finally gaining weight and becoming more active--he still pretty much has a zombie mentality though! Nanook 2007.
Winzig das Opossum (German for "tiny opossum") has been with me the longest of the current ferrets (12/13/02) and is the only one that came straight from the pet store to live with me. She is therefore known as "The Princess" since she has no idea about the horrors that most of her cagemates have lived through. She still had her own battle, early on. Having been spayed and descented too early, part of her female organs still remain which causes her problems from time to time. Winzig has also experienced the loss of more than a few of her cagemates. However, she maintains a positive, happy ferret attitude. Very dainty and delicate, one has to humor her (and try not to laugh) when she attempts to be ferocious. Update 11/07: Winzig has recently been discovered as the "Secret Biter." I'd hear tales of her biting and bad behavior from pet sitters and always thought they had her mixed up with someone else--my angel wouldn't act like that! Well, I've finally seen it with my own two eyes. She's still my special princess though! Winzig 2007.
Gone, But Not Forgotten
RIKKI TIKKI TAVI 11/10/02-10/10/07
Named after the Kipling story about the mongoose--Rikki came to live with me on 5/21/03. Rikki was my only rescued ferret that did not come from a bad home--she simply needed a new home. Owned by a deaf family from Canada, along with four other ferrets, a dog, a cat, and several children--Rikki came to live with me when her owners moved to the states and couldn't keep their ferrets. Her signed name was either "Bear" or "Smelly" (because she liked to smell things).
Rikki loved to give kisses and knew the best hiding/sleeping spots in the house. She was also the one that removed the stuffing from the sofa arms to create "hammocks" for the ferrets to sleep in. Rikki had bowed legs in the front and never ceased to entertain us with her peculiar hop, but she never let it slow her down. Rikki crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge a month before her 5th birthday and only three days before Winzig's birthday. Rikki's last pictures.
BANTER BASHO BADGER 11/18/03-1/1/06
To banter is to playfully tease. Basho's a zen poet. Banter was a blaze ferret and had a badger-like appearance, as well as the feisty badger spirit. Always leaping and bouncing about (mouth open, teeth bared, appearing quite vicious); living to torment humans and weasels alike; he was secretly a little mama's boy at heart.
Banter came to live with me on Valentine's Day, 2004. He had been named Piranha for his love of latching on and vicious attacking (not to mention the many scratches and wounds suffered by his claws)--his first owner had him a grand total of five weeks before deciding that he was a holy terror and that she couldn't handle him. Even though he was only three months old when he came to live here, he was very nasty. Banter did eventually tame down and became quite the little cuddler. He could generally be found lying across my feet or anywhere that I was.
Banter was only a little over two years old when he died and the cause was unknown. I had gone away for Christmas and was gone for a little over a week. When I came home, Banter hid from me, for the most part. I assumed that he was mad at me for leaving. Two days later, I came home from New Year's dinner to find him dead in his cage. I guess I have to be grateful that it didn't happen while I was away and that I did get to spend a few brief moments with him before the end.
BARON WEASEL 1/3/03-5/9/05
Named after the weasel in "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George, Baron Weasel was a total Mama's boy. And sadly, he was a weasel that only a mom could love. Matt (my brother) and Sharon (long-time friend and now Slim's girlfriend) are the only ones that appreciated Baron almost as much as I did and saw how special he was. And maybe Pete, since Baron is the only one of my ferrets that never bit him...
Baron came to me in a rather odd manner. I received a phone call requesting that I take him because he was left behind when his owner went to college and his other cagemates had died. I met the owner's father at Uni-Mart, in DuBois. Baron (then named Charlie) was in a dufflebag sleeping and my first thought was that he was absolutely huge, stinky, and mean-looking! He came with no toys and laughed and chuckled upon his first tour of my apartment and all of the goodies just for ferrets.
I soon learned that Baron offered "Poison Kisses" (as Dar also discovered). Many ferrets will lick you as a means of offering kisses and love. Baron offered poison kisses, in that, if Baron started licking you, he was about to gnaw that body part off. Many attacks and bruises later, I realized that when Baron started licking you, get away! But regardless, he was a little cuddler and liked to snuggle up with me on a regular basis. Whenever I would rub his neck, he would get all fuzzy and happy--not many ferrets do this, most think you are trying to attack them and they go psycho!
Baron was also a terror to the other ferrets. His most favorite activity was dragging the other ferrets around by their necks and new ferrets would get grabbed and shaken as they were drug around. The poor new ferrets were generally terrified and would scream and end up soiling themselves. Baron just seemed to invoke fear no matter where he went.
Baron was scheduled to have a cyst removed on Monday, May 9, 2005. A year earlier, he had the tip of his tail removed due to having a nodule removed from it and the hair never grew back quite right, so he had a lovely "poodle-do" on his tail. He made it through that surgery okay and I hoped he would do okay with this one also. However, he began having trouble urinating that Saturday and when we went in Monday morning, I learned that his prostate was blocked. Due to his age (approximately seven years old) and the severity of his problem, I had to have him put down.
I would have never guessed that Baron would become such a special (and very missed) part of my life. He ended up being one of my all-time favorites. Banter still has difficulties too--Baron was his only playmate and his best friend.
BUD BADGER 9/25/04-5/6/05
Bud Badger (so named for his badger striped-head) wasn't with me for long, but his brief time with me was very special. He was a cuddler and spent many evenings tucked in my shirt as I worked on the computer.
Bud didn't get along with the other ferrets and had to be housed separately with his cagemate, Sassette. Occasionally, he would have it out with her too. With people, however, he was very gentle and loved attention.
He was rather old when he came to live with me (I'm guessing he was probably seven) and he had seizures throughout his time here. On Thursday, May 5, 2005--I came home to find Bud having a really bad seizure. He also had several strokes and experienced paralysis. I stayed up all night with him and had him put down the following morning.
Three days later, I lost Baron. Not the best of weekends--Mother's Day to boot...
DAS FRETTCHEN 1/26/02-3/19/04
A present for Blitzkrieg, das Frettchen (German for "the ferret") was everybody's favorite ferret. He was a ferret that could totally be trusted with anyone (except Pete, of course). He traveled with us half way across the United States for Matt's graduation from the Navy. He enjoyed car trips and would hang out peacefully watching out the window.
Dickey referred to him as "Depression," since he was unable to say his name (or Dickey being Dickey, he just didn't want to say it right) and he made special visits just to see this ferret. Dickey would actually get down on the floor and let this ferret crawl all over him and would spend hours playing with him. For those of you that know Dickey, you know how bizarre that is! :)
das Frettchen died at two-years old. We still don't know what the cause was and made weekly trips to the vet for fluid injections and new attempts to save him. Nothing helped.
I guess he was lucky to have those two years. das Frettchen was going to be sent back to the breeder (Path Valley) to be destroyed. The pet store (Pet Place, DuBois) felt that he was mean and aggressive and not fit to be a pet. His cagemates had been sold weeks earlier, he was caged by himself, and the workers were giving him raisins when he bit (rewarding the behavior--real smart). I persuaded them to let me take him (with the promise not to bring him back or sue them) and he tamed down within two days. Easily, the nicest ferret that I have ever owned.
BLITZKRIEG 2/19/96-10/15/02
Blitzkrieg (German for "lightning war") was my special little guy. He tried so hard to protect me from my abusive relationship. He would wait until the gentleman was sleeping and then would run up, bite him on the belly and run away. Eventually it came down to "the ferret goes or I go." Of course, there was no difficulty in making that choice.
Blitz gave up after Spaz died. He made it ten months and just quit. He quit eating, quit drinking, quit living. He couldn't deal with Spaz being gone. It was heartbreaking to see what he went through after Spaz died. It is for this reason that I will only have one ferret or many ferrets--I NEVER want to go through that again.
SPAZ 4/02/96-12/23/01
Spaz (because he was) was a present for Blitz. I was in college full-time and worked full-time, so I was worried that Blitz may be lonely. The abusive boyfriend decided we were getting Spaz, as opposed to his cagemates, because he was the only ferret in the group to bite me and apparently he was hoping to have a ferret on his side (it didn't work out that way though).
Spaz was diabetic and had numerous health problems, which was likely the reason he didn't live as long as most ferrets. He never totally bonded with people; his true love was for Blitzkrieg. Between the two of them, mass chaos ensued.
KOTO 6/22/89-2/19/96
Koto (named after one of the ferrets in the movie "Beastmaster") was my first ferret and a great little girl. I had her for eight years and she carried me through many heartaches and rough times (the move to CA, my mother's death, several years of an abusive relationship).
A very mean ferret when I got her, she paved the path for future ferrets to come and is responsible for my love of ferrets. Koto was the original sweater monster and was the runt of her litter, so she only had a stub for a tail. She went with me everywhere that I went and had great travel stories of her own. The number of people she bit is beyond count! :)
Named after the Kipling story about the mongoose--Rikki came to live with me on 5/21/03. Rikki was my only rescued ferret that did not come from a bad home--she simply needed a new home. Owned by a deaf family from Canada, along with four other ferrets, a dog, a cat, and several children--Rikki came to live with me when her owners moved to the states and couldn't keep their ferrets. Her signed name was either "Bear" or "Smelly" (because she liked to smell things).
Rikki loved to give kisses and knew the best hiding/sleeping spots in the house. She was also the one that removed the stuffing from the sofa arms to create "hammocks" for the ferrets to sleep in. Rikki had bowed legs in the front and never ceased to entertain us with her peculiar hop, but she never let it slow her down. Rikki crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge a month before her 5th birthday and only three days before Winzig's birthday. Rikki's last pictures.
BANTER BASHO BADGER 11/18/03-1/1/06
To banter is to playfully tease. Basho's a zen poet. Banter was a blaze ferret and had a badger-like appearance, as well as the feisty badger spirit. Always leaping and bouncing about (mouth open, teeth bared, appearing quite vicious); living to torment humans and weasels alike; he was secretly a little mama's boy at heart.
Banter came to live with me on Valentine's Day, 2004. He had been named Piranha for his love of latching on and vicious attacking (not to mention the many scratches and wounds suffered by his claws)--his first owner had him a grand total of five weeks before deciding that he was a holy terror and that she couldn't handle him. Even though he was only three months old when he came to live here, he was very nasty. Banter did eventually tame down and became quite the little cuddler. He could generally be found lying across my feet or anywhere that I was.
Banter was only a little over two years old when he died and the cause was unknown. I had gone away for Christmas and was gone for a little over a week. When I came home, Banter hid from me, for the most part. I assumed that he was mad at me for leaving. Two days later, I came home from New Year's dinner to find him dead in his cage. I guess I have to be grateful that it didn't happen while I was away and that I did get to spend a few brief moments with him before the end.
BARON WEASEL 1/3/03-5/9/05
Named after the weasel in "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George, Baron Weasel was a total Mama's boy. And sadly, he was a weasel that only a mom could love. Matt (my brother) and Sharon (long-time friend and now Slim's girlfriend) are the only ones that appreciated Baron almost as much as I did and saw how special he was. And maybe Pete, since Baron is the only one of my ferrets that never bit him...
Baron came to me in a rather odd manner. I received a phone call requesting that I take him because he was left behind when his owner went to college and his other cagemates had died. I met the owner's father at Uni-Mart, in DuBois. Baron (then named Charlie) was in a dufflebag sleeping and my first thought was that he was absolutely huge, stinky, and mean-looking! He came with no toys and laughed and chuckled upon his first tour of my apartment and all of the goodies just for ferrets.
I soon learned that Baron offered "Poison Kisses" (as Dar also discovered). Many ferrets will lick you as a means of offering kisses and love. Baron offered poison kisses, in that, if Baron started licking you, he was about to gnaw that body part off. Many attacks and bruises later, I realized that when Baron started licking you, get away! But regardless, he was a little cuddler and liked to snuggle up with me on a regular basis. Whenever I would rub his neck, he would get all fuzzy and happy--not many ferrets do this, most think you are trying to attack them and they go psycho!
Baron was also a terror to the other ferrets. His most favorite activity was dragging the other ferrets around by their necks and new ferrets would get grabbed and shaken as they were drug around. The poor new ferrets were generally terrified and would scream and end up soiling themselves. Baron just seemed to invoke fear no matter where he went.
Baron was scheduled to have a cyst removed on Monday, May 9, 2005. A year earlier, he had the tip of his tail removed due to having a nodule removed from it and the hair never grew back quite right, so he had a lovely "poodle-do" on his tail. He made it through that surgery okay and I hoped he would do okay with this one also. However, he began having trouble urinating that Saturday and when we went in Monday morning, I learned that his prostate was blocked. Due to his age (approximately seven years old) and the severity of his problem, I had to have him put down.
I would have never guessed that Baron would become such a special (and very missed) part of my life. He ended up being one of my all-time favorites. Banter still has difficulties too--Baron was his only playmate and his best friend.
BUD BADGER 9/25/04-5/6/05
Bud Badger (so named for his badger striped-head) wasn't with me for long, but his brief time with me was very special. He was a cuddler and spent many evenings tucked in my shirt as I worked on the computer.
Bud didn't get along with the other ferrets and had to be housed separately with his cagemate, Sassette. Occasionally, he would have it out with her too. With people, however, he was very gentle and loved attention.
He was rather old when he came to live with me (I'm guessing he was probably seven) and he had seizures throughout his time here. On Thursday, May 5, 2005--I came home to find Bud having a really bad seizure. He also had several strokes and experienced paralysis. I stayed up all night with him and had him put down the following morning.
Three days later, I lost Baron. Not the best of weekends--Mother's Day to boot...
DAS FRETTCHEN 1/26/02-3/19/04
A present for Blitzkrieg, das Frettchen (German for "the ferret") was everybody's favorite ferret. He was a ferret that could totally be trusted with anyone (except Pete, of course). He traveled with us half way across the United States for Matt's graduation from the Navy. He enjoyed car trips and would hang out peacefully watching out the window.
Dickey referred to him as "Depression," since he was unable to say his name (or Dickey being Dickey, he just didn't want to say it right) and he made special visits just to see this ferret. Dickey would actually get down on the floor and let this ferret crawl all over him and would spend hours playing with him. For those of you that know Dickey, you know how bizarre that is! :)
das Frettchen died at two-years old. We still don't know what the cause was and made weekly trips to the vet for fluid injections and new attempts to save him. Nothing helped.
I guess he was lucky to have those two years. das Frettchen was going to be sent back to the breeder (Path Valley) to be destroyed. The pet store (Pet Place, DuBois) felt that he was mean and aggressive and not fit to be a pet. His cagemates had been sold weeks earlier, he was caged by himself, and the workers were giving him raisins when he bit (rewarding the behavior--real smart). I persuaded them to let me take him (with the promise not to bring him back or sue them) and he tamed down within two days. Easily, the nicest ferret that I have ever owned.
BLITZKRIEG 2/19/96-10/15/02
Blitzkrieg (German for "lightning war") was my special little guy. He tried so hard to protect me from my abusive relationship. He would wait until the gentleman was sleeping and then would run up, bite him on the belly and run away. Eventually it came down to "the ferret goes or I go." Of course, there was no difficulty in making that choice.
Blitz gave up after Spaz died. He made it ten months and just quit. He quit eating, quit drinking, quit living. He couldn't deal with Spaz being gone. It was heartbreaking to see what he went through after Spaz died. It is for this reason that I will only have one ferret or many ferrets--I NEVER want to go through that again.
SPAZ 4/02/96-12/23/01
Spaz (because he was) was a present for Blitz. I was in college full-time and worked full-time, so I was worried that Blitz may be lonely. The abusive boyfriend decided we were getting Spaz, as opposed to his cagemates, because he was the only ferret in the group to bite me and apparently he was hoping to have a ferret on his side (it didn't work out that way though).
Spaz was diabetic and had numerous health problems, which was likely the reason he didn't live as long as most ferrets. He never totally bonded with people; his true love was for Blitzkrieg. Between the two of them, mass chaos ensued.
KOTO 6/22/89-2/19/96
Koto (named after one of the ferrets in the movie "Beastmaster") was my first ferret and a great little girl. I had her for eight years and she carried me through many heartaches and rough times (the move to CA, my mother's death, several years of an abusive relationship).
A very mean ferret when I got her, she paved the path for future ferrets to come and is responsible for my love of ferrets. Koto was the original sweater monster and was the runt of her litter, so she only had a stub for a tail. She went with me everywhere that I went and had great travel stories of her own. The number of people she bit is beyond count! :)
Sassette AKA Sassy
Sassette and Buddy (soon to be renamed Bud Badger) arrived in September of 2004--right after my apartment flooded. The last thing I needed was two more ferrets added to the chaos; but they had no where else to go. Their cagemate, Link, had come to live with me several months before that (June 2004). Figuring that Link would be ecstatic to be reunited with her old cagemates, I reintroduced them. Sparks flew and it was discovered that Bud and Sassette didn't get along with other ferrets and Link wanted them dead.
Bud and Sassette were housed separately until Bud died in May 2005. At this time, I again reintroduced Sassette to the others. She didn't like them and they despised her. Sassette soon became the object of their torment. Link was mortified that Sassette had moved into her new home and led the other ferrets in a daily hate-filled series of attacks against Sassette.
On June 28, 2005, Sassette found a new home where she is the only ferret and has two cats to play with and torment. Sassette is the first and only ferret that I have ever adopted out--but it was completely in her best interest and it is something that I need to learn to do if I am ever going to have a ferret shelter. She is now know as Sassy (I always hated the name Sassette)--and it fits her well! She is doing well and I am able to visit her regularly.
Sassy also has her own blog now (full of cute pictures), which you can check out by following this link.
UPDATE 4/8/06: Sassy's home is now a two-ferret home (few ferret people can manage only having one), as she gained a new little brother, Loki, on March 31st. Sassy is reportedly not happy with the new addition and relishes in tormenting him!
FINAL POSTING 10/7/06: Sassy lost her fight with adrenal disease. This is her final posting on the ferret blog.
Bud and Sassette were housed separately until Bud died in May 2005. At this time, I again reintroduced Sassette to the others. She didn't like them and they despised her. Sassette soon became the object of their torment. Link was mortified that Sassette had moved into her new home and led the other ferrets in a daily hate-filled series of attacks against Sassette.
On June 28, 2005, Sassette found a new home where she is the only ferret and has two cats to play with and torment. Sassette is the first and only ferret that I have ever adopted out--but it was completely in her best interest and it is something that I need to learn to do if I am ever going to have a ferret shelter. She is now know as Sassy (I always hated the name Sassette)--and it fits her well! She is doing well and I am able to visit her regularly.
Sassy also has her own blog now (full of cute pictures), which you can check out by following this link.
UPDATE 4/8/06: Sassy's home is now a two-ferret home (few ferret people can manage only having one), as she gained a new little brother, Loki, on March 31st. Sassy is reportedly not happy with the new addition and relishes in tormenting him!
FINAL POSTING 10/7/06: Sassy lost her fight with adrenal disease. This is her final posting on the ferret blog.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Much Loved and Missed
While none of the following pets were ferrets, they have huge places in my heart and I hold out hope that they will be waiting for me on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge...
KRISHNA
Krishna is a Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound)--one of the tallest and fastest dogs known to man. They are in the hound group (sighthound) and have an odd, piercing wail as opposed to barking (reminiscent of the call of banshees). They are absolutely amazing and beautiful to watch in action (check out this video clip).
Krishna came to live with me on her first birthday. Since my meditating Buddha was the first of MANY of my belongings that she destroyed (Krishna being the black Hindu God) and due to her crazy long fur ("Hairy" Krishna)--Krishna fit. She suffered from separation anxiety (don't all of my pets) and was big enough that she was even able to remove items from my walls and destroy them. Any dog that can stand, put their front paws on your shoulders and still have their head be a good ten inches above yours is a big dog.
Due to the fact that I was working 12-15 hour days and she was home alone that entire time, I began seeking out a new home for her. Shortly after this decision, the roof of the apartment that I was living in caved in and I had to move immediately. I was unable to find any place that allowed dogs and the official wheels were set in motion.
Krishna went to live with an older couple that had a Borzoi in the past and longed for another one. They live in the country; have a large fenced-in yard and numerous small dogs for Krishna to romp with. The dogs have their own sofas and the woman does dog grooming. Her name is now Krista (better than Liza, as she came to me with, I guess). I still have visions of getting my house and land and Krishna coming to live with me again...
VINCE
Vince was a gorgeous German Rottweiler with a large head, clear expressive eyes, and a beautiful bone structure. Vince was almost three when he came to live with me. He had always had male owners and his behavior problems were in part due to his belief that he was the boss in my home. He came to me with the name Vince.
Vince hated all other animals--dogs, cats, ferrets, birds--if it wasn't human he would go mad trying to catch and kill it. He was also a large, powerful dog making it difficult to control him when he decided something needed to die. He killed all of the stray cats I had adopted and had been feeding. He attacked my landlady's boxer (thankfully we eventually were able to get him off of her dog and he ended up being okay). He nearly destroyed my TV one day because I was watching Animal Planet and upon hearing cats meowing, he thought there was a cat behind the TV and set out to find and kill it.
Vince was always angry when I went into the ferret room and would head butt the door (think Cujo) and would pee all through my house when I was in there. He "marked" several of my friends as his (including my roommate)--always fun when your dog lifts his leg and pees on your friends! Yet I loved him and tried to look beyond these things.
Vince was my sole companion after my six-year relationship ended. We walked through the State Game Lands daily. My car windows were covered in slime and drool on a regular basis. As for his aggression; I got him neutered, we went through obedience classes, yet nothing worked. While he loved people, his aggression did eventually begin to show towards me also. The next step would have been moving near Cornell University and hoping that they could help figure out and stop the aggressive behaviors--thousands of dollars that I didn't have...
As I mentioned, Vince was my sole companion for quite some time. What finally pushed him over the edge was when I brought home a guy that I liked a little more than just friends. While Vince adored the guy too, he had issues with losing his place as the "main man" in my life. He became increasingly aggressive and began snapping at me also. Eventually I had to have him put down.
I was unable to take the chance of him attacking a human the way he did other animals. He didn't give me a choice, when he started turning on people. Perhaps you would have to understand the sheer strength this dog possessed. I tried everything I could. There is nothing more difficult than taking a beautiful, healthy animal that you love dearly and is in the prime of its life and ending it.
I still miss him more than I should and cry over him even now. I never loved a dog as much as I did Vince and I have a special place in my heart for rotties as a result. While I hope to have another someday--there will simply never be another dog quite as special as Vince was.
GOITER
Goiter was an abused iguana that a friend had brought to me. He had burns all over his body, including his jaw and was starving to death because he couldn't open his mouth to eat. For weeks, he survived by having liquid minerals run along the outside of his mouth with the hopes that some of it would be ingested. He earned the name Goiter because of the appearance of having goiters all over his body.
Goiter never grew in length over the years, but he did end up becoming a beautiful iguana with few visible scars remaining. He was a gentle fellow, could be held by anyone and frequently slept upon my chest. He wasn't the brightest pet that I've ever had, but was certainly one of the sweetest.
RAZZMATAZZ
Razzmatazz came to live with us as a kitten. His mother was a large full-blooded Siamese and his father an unknown wanderer. When our mom took us to pick out a kitten, he crawled onto my lap and the rest is history! He was so little when we got him that he would stand in the opening of Kleenex boxes and shred the tissues with all four feet. Eventually he grew into a 25+ lb cat that we could count on to console our tears and he became part of the family. He was named after a prize-winning Samoyed.
Razz was with us for sixteen years. When my youngest brother turned eighteen, we had to have Razz put to sleep due to old age. Matt and I went together to have Razz euthanized and buried him together. As Matt put it, we grew up with Razz--he was our connection to childhood, youth, and family--Razz's passing was like our mom's way of saying that we were all grown now and no longer needed watching over--Razz was free to go.
KRISHNA
Krishna is a Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound)--one of the tallest and fastest dogs known to man. They are in the hound group (sighthound) and have an odd, piercing wail as opposed to barking (reminiscent of the call of banshees). They are absolutely amazing and beautiful to watch in action (check out this video clip).
Krishna came to live with me on her first birthday. Since my meditating Buddha was the first of MANY of my belongings that she destroyed (Krishna being the black Hindu God) and due to her crazy long fur ("Hairy" Krishna)--Krishna fit. She suffered from separation anxiety (don't all of my pets) and was big enough that she was even able to remove items from my walls and destroy them. Any dog that can stand, put their front paws on your shoulders and still have their head be a good ten inches above yours is a big dog.
Due to the fact that I was working 12-15 hour days and she was home alone that entire time, I began seeking out a new home for her. Shortly after this decision, the roof of the apartment that I was living in caved in and I had to move immediately. I was unable to find any place that allowed dogs and the official wheels were set in motion.
Krishna went to live with an older couple that had a Borzoi in the past and longed for another one. They live in the country; have a large fenced-in yard and numerous small dogs for Krishna to romp with. The dogs have their own sofas and the woman does dog grooming. Her name is now Krista (better than Liza, as she came to me with, I guess). I still have visions of getting my house and land and Krishna coming to live with me again...
VINCE
Vince was a gorgeous German Rottweiler with a large head, clear expressive eyes, and a beautiful bone structure. Vince was almost three when he came to live with me. He had always had male owners and his behavior problems were in part due to his belief that he was the boss in my home. He came to me with the name Vince.
Vince hated all other animals--dogs, cats, ferrets, birds--if it wasn't human he would go mad trying to catch and kill it. He was also a large, powerful dog making it difficult to control him when he decided something needed to die. He killed all of the stray cats I had adopted and had been feeding. He attacked my landlady's boxer (thankfully we eventually were able to get him off of her dog and he ended up being okay). He nearly destroyed my TV one day because I was watching Animal Planet and upon hearing cats meowing, he thought there was a cat behind the TV and set out to find and kill it.
Vince was always angry when I went into the ferret room and would head butt the door (think Cujo) and would pee all through my house when I was in there. He "marked" several of my friends as his (including my roommate)--always fun when your dog lifts his leg and pees on your friends! Yet I loved him and tried to look beyond these things.
Vince was my sole companion after my six-year relationship ended. We walked through the State Game Lands daily. My car windows were covered in slime and drool on a regular basis. As for his aggression; I got him neutered, we went through obedience classes, yet nothing worked. While he loved people, his aggression did eventually begin to show towards me also. The next step would have been moving near Cornell University and hoping that they could help figure out and stop the aggressive behaviors--thousands of dollars that I didn't have...
As I mentioned, Vince was my sole companion for quite some time. What finally pushed him over the edge was when I brought home a guy that I liked a little more than just friends. While Vince adored the guy too, he had issues with losing his place as the "main man" in my life. He became increasingly aggressive and began snapping at me also. Eventually I had to have him put down.
I was unable to take the chance of him attacking a human the way he did other animals. He didn't give me a choice, when he started turning on people. Perhaps you would have to understand the sheer strength this dog possessed. I tried everything I could. There is nothing more difficult than taking a beautiful, healthy animal that you love dearly and is in the prime of its life and ending it.
I still miss him more than I should and cry over him even now. I never loved a dog as much as I did Vince and I have a special place in my heart for rotties as a result. While I hope to have another someday--there will simply never be another dog quite as special as Vince was.
GOITER
Goiter was an abused iguana that a friend had brought to me. He had burns all over his body, including his jaw and was starving to death because he couldn't open his mouth to eat. For weeks, he survived by having liquid minerals run along the outside of his mouth with the hopes that some of it would be ingested. He earned the name Goiter because of the appearance of having goiters all over his body.
Goiter never grew in length over the years, but he did end up becoming a beautiful iguana with few visible scars remaining. He was a gentle fellow, could be held by anyone and frequently slept upon my chest. He wasn't the brightest pet that I've ever had, but was certainly one of the sweetest.
RAZZMATAZZ
Razzmatazz came to live with us as a kitten. His mother was a large full-blooded Siamese and his father an unknown wanderer. When our mom took us to pick out a kitten, he crawled onto my lap and the rest is history! He was so little when we got him that he would stand in the opening of Kleenex boxes and shred the tissues with all four feet. Eventually he grew into a 25+ lb cat that we could count on to console our tears and he became part of the family. He was named after a prize-winning Samoyed.
Razz was with us for sixteen years. When my youngest brother turned eighteen, we had to have Razz put to sleep due to old age. Matt and I went together to have Razz euthanized and buried him together. As Matt put it, we grew up with Razz--he was our connection to childhood, youth, and family--Razz's passing was like our mom's way of saying that we were all grown now and no longer needed watching over--Razz was free to go.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
The Kids
You may notice that Mash and several of the ferrets do not have many photos exclusively of them. This does not reflect any preferential treatment (as Mash would have you believe). They all have numerous photos of just them; however, not all of those photos are available on-line.
Also, while the ferrets are not jealous creatures (they are just out to have a good time)--I did list their personal stats individually in alphabetical order to prevent Mash from trying to stir up hostile feelings. They suggest that you check out their blog, Wacked Weasels, to learn the truth that Mash doesn't want you to know. However, their blog is a bit dry--odd little creatures--I would advise against reading it.
Here you will find photos of the ferrets as a group. Being the social creatures that they are, it is pretty rare to find a weasel off by itself. They have discovered that they generally can create more chaos when they move together as a group. This also seems to help prevent Mash attacks.
While Mash clearly hates the ferrets and is quite jealous of them--they also feel that she is often nasty to them for no reason. Mash and the weasels just seem to have one of those volatile relationships that there is no hope for. Mash has the Godmommy, Uncle Jim, Heather and many others believing that the weasels are horrible creatures that abuse her and make her life unbearable. Judge for yourself who has it worse--the ferrets or Mash.
Also, while the ferrets are not jealous creatures (they are just out to have a good time)--I did list their personal stats individually in alphabetical order to prevent Mash from trying to stir up hostile feelings. They suggest that you check out their blog, Wacked Weasels, to learn the truth that Mash doesn't want you to know. However, their blog is a bit dry--odd little creatures--I would advise against reading it.
Here you will find photos of the ferrets as a group. Being the social creatures that they are, it is pretty rare to find a weasel off by itself. They have discovered that they generally can create more chaos when they move together as a group. This also seems to help prevent Mash attacks.
While Mash clearly hates the ferrets and is quite jealous of them--they also feel that she is often nasty to them for no reason. Mash and the weasels just seem to have one of those volatile relationships that there is no hope for. Mash has the Godmommy, Uncle Jim, Heather and many others believing that the weasels are horrible creatures that abuse her and make her life unbearable. Judge for yourself who has it worse--the ferrets or Mash.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Winzig's 3rd Birthday Party
9 out of 10 ferrets agree... Converse Rule! And this was against the world famous Skechers, rubbed on and loved by cats everywhere! My favorite picture? When the ferrets are yelling at each other to get up and party!
Also, photos of what happens when the landlady refuses to turn on the heat...
Also, photos of what happens when the landlady refuses to turn on the heat...
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Mash's Evidence
Saturday, November 12, 2005
The Gatekeeper
Mash's "new game" AKA proof that she DOES terrorize the ferrets. The first thing the groggy, waking weasels want to do after getting out of their cage is to follow mom to the kitchen and drink out of the community water fountain.
Mash, who has realized this opportunity to attack the dazed weasels, sits behind the livingroom curtain waiting to pounce on and chase the ferrets as they attempt to pass through.
Guaranteed to raise a fuzzy tail on the weasels and increase their odds of premature heart attacks, it is such abuse that leads to the occasional leap and nip from the ferrets.
And if she is brazen enough to do this in front of me, you can imagine what the weasels go through when Mash knows that I am not watching...
Mash, who has realized this opportunity to attack the dazed weasels, sits behind the livingroom curtain waiting to pounce on and chase the ferrets as they attempt to pass through.
Guaranteed to raise a fuzzy tail on the weasels and increase their odds of premature heart attacks, it is such abuse that leads to the occasional leap and nip from the ferrets.
And if she is brazen enough to do this in front of me, you can imagine what the weasels go through when Mash knows that I am not watching...
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Spidey Web Snapper
Not for the faint of heart; I caught Spidey in the act of trying to escape. Pretty lucky that he is so big and top-heavy...
I had one other Rose-Hair escape and they are a bitch to catch! :)
I had one other Rose-Hair escape and they are a bitch to catch! :)
Good Charlotte
These are my first successful photos of Good Charlotte and this was also the day of her first "official" human contact (I couldn't resist--she is so soft and pretty).
I also had to share this description I found regarding my beloved Charlotte (my Sunburst Tarantula):
Animal Description:
They are often called "Orange Demon Spiders" and "The Orange Bitey Things" because of their speed and aggressive natures. Because this tarantula is so aggressive it is often not recommended for beginners. When feeding, it is recommended to feed through a sliding door at the top of the enclosure to prevent bites and escapes.
About 14 to 15 centimeters in length, the Usambara Orange Baboon is an average sized spider. However, its size is the only thing that's average about it! They are a fiery, deep orange or red in color, with dark marks on the abdomen and cephalothorax. Paired with their extremely quick speeds, they often resemble a ball of fire.
Poor Charlotte! What a reputation! After all, she is my GOOD Charlotte!!!
However, if she escapes (as Mash seems to be encouraging)--she may become that little demon that they speak of! And I suppose I should probably keep her lid on more often...
I also had to share this description I found regarding my beloved Charlotte (my Sunburst Tarantula):
Animal Description:
They are often called "Orange Demon Spiders" and "The Orange Bitey Things" because of their speed and aggressive natures. Because this tarantula is so aggressive it is often not recommended for beginners. When feeding, it is recommended to feed through a sliding door at the top of the enclosure to prevent bites and escapes.
About 14 to 15 centimeters in length, the Usambara Orange Baboon is an average sized spider. However, its size is the only thing that's average about it! They are a fiery, deep orange or red in color, with dark marks on the abdomen and cephalothorax. Paired with their extremely quick speeds, they often resemble a ball of fire.
Poor Charlotte! What a reputation! After all, she is my GOOD Charlotte!!!
However, if she escapes (as Mash seems to be encouraging)--she may become that little demon that they speak of! And I suppose I should probably keep her lid on more often...
Wooly Bully
These pictures are really fuzzy--I will keep trying. Anyhoo, this is Wooly Bully (a Wooly Tarantula) on the day that I brought him home (November 23, 2005). He was so tiny and cute, not much bigger than a quarter. My, how quickly he has grown up!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Wee Weasels!
If I would have been able to get a ferret from Ravensnest Ferretry, one of the hobs in these pictures would soon be living with me. These are the results of the Phoebe/Moose (his last) breeding.
Moose also has a really gorgeous son, Oscar. Maybe they'll breed him in next couple of years and I'll still be able to get one of the "Mooselets." Seamus, the huge champagne male that they would not let me "ferretnap" is a Mooselet, too.
Moose also has a really gorgeous son, Oscar. Maybe they'll breed him in next couple of years and I'll still be able to get one of the "Mooselets." Seamus, the huge champagne male that they would not let me "ferretnap" is a Mooselet, too.
