Saturday report-29 dec 07

So, it’s that time again. THE SATURDAY REPORT by Nigel


Today we decided to give Randy her fill-up of fuzzies, she had been looking a bit peaky lately so we figured she must be down a few hugs and kisses. You all know what I mean, Randy’s form of ferret abuse, she calls it rent, but tell me, how many times do you see Randy with a ferret up to her face with the little fuzzy’s desperately trying to push her away with his or her front paws. We brought along an alumni of ferrets from the shelter, Higgins & Burke, Fabian (Stumpy) and Dew. Sorry Deb, he’s still as cute as ever.

Out first, came Gloria and Laura, or Laura and Gloria if you prefer. And after an appropriate pause, Burkie was deposited in the middle. Gloria was ecstatic, a great big male to sniff and frolic with, Laura also soon caught on and we had a threesome. No dirty thoughts here, just three ferrets. So, guess what, we dumped Dew into the mix. No problems, all were having fun together, in went Fabian, and finally Higgins. We were concerned about Higgins, he used to be Juggernaut, and for a reason. He is very rambunctious, just big and fuller of energy than most. Well apart from a bit of a drag across the floor of Laura until she was taught him his lesson. All went well for the rest of the hour. These two girls should be tried with other ferrets in the shelter, under strict supervision, because they seem able to mix with others quite well. They did the same mixing with Ali’s two boys a couple of weeks ago.

We did see one funny thing during this gathering. Our boys all needed their nails cut so we decided to do it while at the shelter. When we were finished, we gave each a bit of tone on the belly and let them lick it off. We also gave some to the girls so they would not be left out. Well it so happened that Burke was placed next to Gloria while they both licked themselves clean, weeellllll.,……………. Gloria finished first and decided to help Burke and started to lick his belly. I haven’t seen Burke move so fast with such an indignant look on his face when she licked his privates.


Then our boys went to bed and out came Hercules and Sophie in one room and Tommy and Bailey in the other room. I had T & B in the main room. I also filled a box with some leaves from the bag in the back room. Bailey went absolutely nuts when dumped in the leaves and then had leaves poured all over him. Tommy was excited too but not as nuts as Bailey. On Bonnie’s side, Hercules and Sophie were introduced to first Burke and then Dew. Hercules did not like Burke being there but took some time to get nasty. He tried to intimidate him, but Burke can’t be intimidated, he just ignores aggressive ferrets and goes about his business, this must have frustrated Herc, cause he then tried to teach Burke a lesson, and although he wasn’t getting very far we pulled Burke out and put in Dew instead. Sophie got to Dew first and tried to take a chunk out of him. Looks like Sophie and Herc are great together but not with others at the moment. Neither was very impressed with playing very much in the leaves. They were both active until about an hour had passed and then Hercules went down for a snooze. Sophie was still active when she was put away, with a large dose of goop on her belly.

Tommy prefers the paper box to the leaves.


Lastly we had Juniper and Gizmo out, one to each room. Giz is like a puppy, and wants 100% attention. He actually nipped me to get my attention when it faltered. He now has an impressive coat of fur and needs to get adopted. He will make some one a wonderful personal friend. He is so gentle, and yet loves to play one on one. At some point, it would be interesting to try and introduce him to another ferret. Perhaps we could try him with Laura and Gloria.


While Juniper was out she had Burke for company, and to those that thought she would not mix, they got along fine. She did try to show him who’s boss, but when he stood up to her she backed off and then tried periodically to provoke a reaction from him. He would then ignore her. All in all, they tolerated each other and even interacted quite well. They survived an hour together without any conflict. She is another that should be mixed in with another ferret. Maybe Gizmo.


And that ends Saturday, we have four exhausted boys all curled up and fast asleep. Bonnie and I may not be far behind.


Nigel and Bonnie.

December 24, 2007

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house ferrets were dooking, playing with my spouse…okay, I can’t pull it off so I’ll just stop and give you the skinny on the pre-Christmas weasel run…

 

Hercules and Sophie played well together. Sophie snacked on my right arm all evening. She really doesn’t like me. Perhaps my making her eat her own ass has something to do with it. She played in the leaf box with Herc and they chased each other through the tunnels. Herc  enjoys antagonizing Sophie. He has a terrible habit of goosing her from behind. One day that boy is going to lose his nose.

 

Gloria and Laura were good fun. Laura is not unlike Sophie in that she likes to chew on my arms. She will wander over and just casually hangs out beside me and then out of the blue nip me, then again, then again, then walk away. She never bites hard enough to hurt, unlike Sophie, and will only bit the soft fleshy part of my arms. Of course both Sophie and Laura, and Gloria for that matter do no such thing with Amanda. Gloria climbs everything all the time. Cutting back on her coffee would probably be a good idea.

 

Gizmo looks so good now that his fur is back. Gizmo tunneled through the blankets and towels I piled on the floor. Unlike the icky girl ferrets, Gizmo doesn’t bite. He was a lot of fun to play with. Gizmo spent the better part of his time out digging a rubber ball from the ball box. Once out he hide it somewhere. I’ll ask everyone to keep their eyes open for it, its blue and pink, and a definite choking/blockage hazard if it gets chewed up.

 

Even though Randy had Tommy and Bailey out previously, we had them out again for another 30 minute. They tooled around, dooking and carrying on like they normally do. Tommy is so fat now that his shadow was moved to another cage due to overcrowding. I played tug-of-war with Bailey and the hammock he pulled out of the toy bag.

 

Juniper was let out by Randy before we arrived. Thanks Randy.

 

Merry Christmas to Randy, Olympia, and all the volunteers. Thanks for caring when no one else would.

 

Sincerely,

 

Robert and Amanda.

FW: Randy Belair: Harley Bug

Here's a VERY sweet letter sent to me. Wanted to share.

Miss Randy Melanie Belair

Hi Randy,
Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I "talked" to you. When Tazzie was so sick, you and Harley was talked to often lol. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how much I loved your story in ferret magazine. It made me bawl of course. Lots of forgotten memories of things we talked about, about Harley and Tazzie and how Harley was showing Tazzie how to fight the good fight and how you helped me deal with those that said, put him down. I know you probably don't remember all this, or me for that matter, but you and Harley forever have a huge place in my heart. I remember when Harley died, Tazzie died a month later. I have always thought they are at the bridge together making up for all lifes' hardships they had to endure.
Harley has both eyes, and is the picture of health, and Tazzie, he is NEVER on those Tazzie wheels again. He's running on strong healthy legs and enjoying every minute of it:-)And your mom. I cried when she died. I saw her picture before yours or Harleys when I was thumbing through the magazine. I recognized her as your mom. I recognized her from all the love and stories and pictures you shared of her and Harley. I keep seeing her sharing her pudding with Harley lol. I can't remember if it's Dena or Deanna, but I'm almost 100% positive it's one of those two, even after all these years, and I'm a very forgetful person. I guess my point on this part is the legacies do go on. Anyway, I'll let you go. I just wanted to let you know how touched I was by your story. I remember all the pain YOU went through at the the time, and I know, you were such a great mom. Harley was very, very lucky to have you. Just as lucky as you were to have him.

Hugs and Merry Christmas
Lois Caselman

FW: Rolo & Otis pictures

Wanted to share these with you all. My Rolo and Otis :) Miss them so much but just LOOK how happy they are!!! Merry Christmas all and looking into these kid's faces remember what a great job you all do in helping these little ones find forever homes. We couldn't have a shelter or any success with the shelter without all of you. I am so thankful we have the WORLD'S BEST volunteers. Love you all!!! xx

 

 

Miss Randy Melanie Belair

sunday report

Hi everyone,

The kids were especially adorable and playful yesterday or maybe I just
missed them more.

I was so pleased to see that Tommy and Bailey are room mates again.
They are so cute sleeping together in the hammock.

Laura and Gloria had loads of energy. You can barely tell Gloria had
surgery, her fur has grown in so nicely. They make such an adorable
little couple.

Sophie and Hercules have changed so much since she first came to the
shelter, They are so much happier and well adjusted. Every time I
walked by Herc's cage it seemed that he poofed but I guess they were
little love farties. It was time again for little Herc to be expressed
so out to the driveway we went.

Juniper gets prettier every time I see her. She is gaining weight and I
didn't hear her cough at all.

Gizmo by man is finally growing the fur on his back and neck. He is
such a sweet little boy and I love his Roman nose!

I put all the extra paper towels in the wood cabinet so the second room
does not look so cluttered.

Have a great holiday!
Olympia

saturday report

Sorry I didn't post yesterday.

I had Gizmo and Juinper out first. She was very active and chatty
yesterday. And all poop and pee was in the litter box! Gizmo was his
crazy little self, was running around like his head was cut off! Just
having a great time. I did notice he went into the litter box at least
5 times with out producing any urine. Other then that, he was fine.

Then Bailey and Tommy, with Sophie and Herc were out. I didn't realize
that Sophie can jump the gate now! Good thing Randy caught her, she
gave me a heart attack! So the back door was closed for Sophie and
Herc. Other then her getting out, they were great, very playful and
they love the leaf box still :). Bailey and Tommy are so cute, so
active and playful and Tommy runs to you to be picked up and cuddled.
Bailey gave me my first kiss! Three licks to my chin :). Everything
was great for them.

And then Laura and Gloria were out. Laura was very chatty yesterday,
and Gloria was her sweet self. Both were playful and cute :). Gloria
gave me lots of kisses, and Laura got a good bite to my chin! Forgot
what one I was holding, was looking at something and she just reached
up and "chomp!" My fault for ignoring the girl.

I cut all there nails. Some of them had really long nails, so I just
decided to cute them all, hope that was ok.

Two of them, or maybe three had soft poops, I can't remember what ones
but I wrote it in the log.

I really hope I get my camera for Christmas so I can start taking
pictures of them! There was one shot of Tommy I wish I could have got.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday! And a great New Years.

Ali

Harley "Bug" in Ferrets Mag!!!

It's been many years since he left us but now he's alive in our hearts once again. Harley "Bug" is on page 50 of the Jan/Feb issue of Ferrets Magazine. I couldn't be happier to share the story of Bug with everyone. My man. Even so many years after his death, he still remains such a big part of my heart.

 

 

Miss Randy Melanie Belair

Saturday Report

Hello everyone,

Saturday was great, every one had lots of fun.

Gloria, Bailey and Herc are looking wonderful after there surgeries.

Logan, Bailey and Sophie had soft poops, Sophie also had one yellow
coloured. I think it was just the three of them.

First time meeting Inge. She is so playful! She was running around
after me and she goes crazy for the squeaky toys. I thought she was
going to fall over trying to get to it after I squeaked it, and she
jumped pretty high as well.

Gizmo was out for 45 minutes (5:15, not 5:30, I can't remember if I
changed it in the log book or not). He kept scratching him self
somehow, maybe because he didn't have fur to protect himself. When I
took him out, he had a rash/scratch on the back of his neck and two
scabs, one on both back legs. When I left him to go clean the second
room, I came back 5 mins later and he had two small puncture marks, I
guess its called, on the back of his neck that were bleeding a little
bit, nothing major just a small drop or two. Then about 10 minutes
before I put him back he had another scratch/rash on the top of his
head. Something to keep an eye on maybe? I tried putting the red shirt
on him, but he wouldn't keep it on.

Well hope everyone has a great weekend :)

Ali

Thursday report

We sure do have a lot of lovely ferrets at the shelter right now, so
playful and social, we had lots of fun tonite. The second room is quite
improved, the draft is gone, and once I had the door open for awhile
the room was just slightly cooler than the other one, and I think they
all enjoy room two the most .. I think the temperature is fine with
them.

The new rugs - I'm not sure if they are eyeballs or what - are lovely
and thick, we all liked them a lot, as well as the boxes of
leaves/shredded paper and the new soft tunnel were greatly liked and
well played with. Tonite was a good ball nite too, Gizmo was hilarious,
flying around after a ball like a fiend.

Chubby and Logan weren't as chirpy as I would have liked to have seen
them, but they played quite a bit and were up most of an hour. Everyone
else was bouncy and playful for their whole time out.

I can't get over what a little miss sociability Juniper is, she's a
lovely girl.

Cheers all, Sue

Tuesday report

Hi all,

I'm new so please forgive any faux pas I commit. I've also got a hectic week, so this will be a bit brief.

Tommy and Bailey - Bailey looks a little raw around his stitches closer to his hindquarters, but the upper three-quarters seem to be healing well. Both were very active and wrestling quite a bit. Tommy was especially sweet as always.

Gloria and Laura - Spent a lot of time playing in the leaf box (which has now morphed into a shredded paper box as well).

Sophie and Herc - Sophie was as mischievous as could be and Herc was his normal plodding happy self.

Juniper - Wow, is she ever a ball of energy. She was running and climbing and chatting and just didn't want to stop. There were four or five poops outside her little pan as well as what was inside. Some of them were dried so I don't know if it was all from one night.

Logan and Chubby - They were pretty active for the two of them, so I gave them some extra time out since I had an odd number of run groups. They eventually tired out and snuggled up in the cube, but they seemed to be in decent spirits.

Gizmo - The coat looks more full and even, mostly in the hindquarters, than two weeks ago. There was also more energy and inquisitive behaviour, so that seems to be a good sign.

Inge - This was my first time meeting Inge, but she seemed really excited to play and climb. She was ready to go long before she got out and would have been fine to keep going if she could have. Sweet little girl.

Cheers,
Stephen

Saturday report

Just thought you would all like to see it in bold lettering as you all keep telling me to keep writing one, sorry Ali but 6 ½ years of reporting is a hard habit to break.
Today was a thrill for both Bonnie and I, except for the bone problems, you all know what I mean, eh, Sue, some of us older folks find it a drag to keep sitting down on the floor and then getting up again. It has to happen, you know, you get settled on the floor with one of a duo to find the other has just climbed a cage and you think they are in imminent danger of falling off or tossing everything onto the floor, so up you get and bring them down, to then sit back down and find they have climbed back up. It’s a cycle we all go through, eh! Sooo truue.
I started with Juniper and Bonnie started with Inge, then we swapped at about the half hour mark. I was catching up on my paperwork using the cage with the plywood on top, and little Juniper would keep climbing the cage just to be with me. Time and again, she did this. She just loves personal attention. A beautiful little girl for someone to adopt. So personable. She also loves playing with balls.

Oh, she also got into my camera bag.
Then Bonnie and I switched girls, I got Inge and she got Juniper. She found Juniper to be the same with her as she was with me. Inge is very similar in her behaviour as Juniper. She is very personable, and cuddly, loves being handled, takes TD’s, and will nip when she is in the leaf box. NOT hard.
BTW, I brought in a large yard bag of dried leaves to keep the leaf box fresh with scrunchy leaves for the ferrets.
Oh, I forgot, It’s Bennie’s birthday on Sunday, please call (416-219-6728) to wish her a happy birthday.
Inge originally was picked up by Bonnie and I at Brampton Animal Control after she and her companion, Tony, we named them were left at the gate of a local school. Her friend was Tony (named after a couple, friends of ours and the shelters who took four ferrets from the FAS. Tony and Inge. Unfortunately, and sadly Tony had issues that did not allow him to survive a surgery we gave him to help him overcome his problems. That left Inge, who substituted all the volunteers for her lost mate. She is a really affectionate little girl. Forgot to mention, Inge uses the litter when outside the cage, unusual but great.
Following Inge came Tommy and Bailey with me and Sophie and Herc with Bonnie. Tommy has his best coat ever, long hair and super luxurious, Bailey is also doing well, but his is more course. Bailey’s tail is super, grey with a black band and a pure white tip. Tommy actually looks much bigger than he actually is due to all his luxuriant fur. Tommy also seems to be developing a blaze on his head, it is a light streak from front to back. And finally, he seems to be the dominant one over Bailey in the leaf box. Bailey actually behaved quite subdued to Tommy when they were both in the box.
Just a note, our Burke has just sobered up and woken up, he loves to clean our wine glasses, he can smell one from across the room, and NO we do not encourage him.
Bailey is looking great after surgery, hasn’t really slowed him down one iota. His incision is still looking a bit raw, but it is not slowing him down.
Please keep an eye on Sophie, she has vomited at least three times in her cage. She did well today, her normal mischievous self, or as Bonnie told me, she nipped Bonnie on the back of her leg, i.e. bare skin, and then fluffed her tail and jumped around the room chortling to herself. ( laughing at Bonnie). She really is a really personable little devil.
Herc was his normal self despite having had his belly ripped open this week. Sophie and Herc were out in the garage room which according to Bonnie is perishingly cold, the ferrets must agree with her as most who came out in that room spent most of their time looking for warm places to curl up.
The door needs some weather stripping installed and also the mouldings need some more nails, I will try to do something about it soon.
Next was Chubby and Logan, and these boys really do need to get out of the shelter. They need a home!. They are not doing really well at the shelter.
One really has to work at getting these two to play and be active. They are wonderfully personable boys, but seem unhappy. Chubby was also quite cold in the garage room and spent most of his run looking for warm places to curl up in.
Logan did play well in the leaf box with the new leaves. If these current leaves get mulched like the others did, then change them from the bag of leaves in the garage storage room.
Almost at the end, we had Gloria and Laura out . Let me firstly fill you in on Gloria’s last few days. Gloria had surgery on Thursday, adrenal. Britt picked her up from the Clinic and took her home, so she got the royal treatment at Britt and Stephen’s, with lot’s of Stephen’s chicken soup. It is so famous that other significant ferret owners use it too. As it was our weekend to do the shelter, Bonnie and I went over to B&S’s ( we were Xmas shopping in their neck of the woods anyway) and spent a great evening with B&S (thank you) and brought Gloria home with us when we left. She slept all the way home. She also met our little Dew, who is so unobtrusive and inoffensive that she let him follow all around the house while she explored. He wa totally enamoured with Gloria.
Today we brought her back and Laura was ecstatic to see her little friend. Gloria is the most cuddly, and gives lots of kisses. Laura is still a bit skittish, she was particularly nervous when any sudden noise occurred. I made some noise while I repaired the half door by the stiars.
PLEASE DO NOT USE THE DOOR AS A HANDRAIL/SUPPORT WHEN YOU GO DOWN INTO THE ROOM. IT WILL BREAK THE DOOR. SO DON’T DO IT.
And lastly out came Gizmo, our little naked boy with all the pizzazz imaginable, although he must have felt cool, he just kept going, always looking for attention, climbing p on us so he could get attention.
He appears to be starting to grow some hair, hopefully it will all come back, he really is a great ferret, who needs a good attentive home. He at least does not stand on his dignity, and shy away from attention, he is a proud and playfull little guy.
So there you have it. Saturday’s report.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend, and remember to give your little friends an extra hug, you all will enjoy it.
Nigel and Bonnie.
PS my other bitch is against those who secure the litter boxes in the cages to stop the guys from moving them around. It makes it so much harder to clean them.