and so the saga continues....

Well, it's actually not that exciting, but I will try to keep you somewhat entertained... When I got home, I took everyone out again and except for the usual scuffles--they seemed to be doing ok. Except at one point, Freckles was under the blanket with just his head poking out-and his face looked kind of weird (like a little girl with her pony tail too tight) so I pulled back the blanket... lo and behold--it wasn't a pony tail holder he had stuck to his head--but Skipton's face!! The funny thing is--even though Skipton has a grip like you wouldn't believe--I can stick my finger right in his mouth and pry his teeth off--he doesn't want to let go of the other ferret, but he doesn't even TRY to bite me (even as a reflex).

The nicer gentler weasles (Henri, Tempe and Latte) are starting to catch on--when he starts getting frisky, they run into the tunnels where they can defend themselves and keep him from munching on them (if they seemed distressed, I would save them--but honestly, they act like they think it's just a new game)

I think Coyle thinks he is playing--he just rolls around on the floor with him and bats him in the face and over the head with his paw when he (Skipton) latches on--until he lets go. (it's actually pretty funny to watch--honestly-sometimes I can't tell if Coyle is good natured, or not all that bright... LOL)

I KNOW that Meelo thinks he is playing (he plays REALLY rough--partly because of the way he was kept, he never really learned how to play) So, He is like "who hoo--bring it buddy--someone who finally plays right" Not sure that Skippy really gets that. LOL.

Al continues to try to stay under the radar (which is a good idea because he is also adrenal) and HILARIOUSLY, he doesn't even ATTEMPT to mess with Mari--I think she is just too mean. Miss Mari don't take NOO shit from Noone!! LOLOL. I love her--she's so funny.

He and Freckles seem to be the biggest problem right now--because they are both VERY adrenal and can't seem to stay away from each other. Picture this: "Don't touch me--I'm touching you--no, I'm going to touch you--Don't touch me--I'm touching you--no don't touch me--I'm touching you, etc..." except it's said with Clucking, screaming and squealing (have I mentioned before that Freckles is a complete Drama queen?)

I've been able to put him (Skippy) in the cage with my big group (or leave him out in the room) and he is usually Ok--until the chorus of "I'm touching you--stop touching me--I'm touching you...etc) starts between 5:30/6:00 AM and if they are loud enough (and they usually are) he is put back into his own cage.

He's had a melatonin implant and he (along with Freckles) will be getting a Lupron injection in the near future. So, I'm hoping that will calm them both down. But, all in all--he is doing better than expected (and better than he was at the shelter)

I'll keep you posted.

Time for another head count and Status:

I lost Aria the Friday after Thanksgiving--she crashed at the vets once again and we determined that (due to a lack of life quality) we would let her go. Go with God, my little furry girl.

(foster) Lila: is DANCING--she is coming out of her shell and is a joy to watch

(foster) Prissy: was 1.1 lbs when I got her--is now 1.5 :-) Good deal Priss--you GO girl!!

(foster) Freckles: His adrenal disease seems to be progressing--and I hope this upcoming Lupron shot will bring him some relief

(foster) Al: not really any changes (knock on wood)

(fosters) Baby Boy and Mandi: were adopted out to a WONDERFUL woman who will be a fantastic mom for them.

(foster) Skipton: Found wandering the streets of Boston--we took him in and as he started to recover, we determined that he would do better at my house

Paulhus's
Meelo--is now on Cosequin and is doing well on it--he is dancing. :-) His lymph nodes are back to normal--and we are continuing to monitor his BG. (Blood Glucose)

Coyle: has finally turned back into my winter beastie--in September he weighed 2.4 lbs and the other day was up to 3.0. :-) and his fur is beautiful again

Mari, Tempe, Latte and Henri are all doing the same (but that's a good thing)

KNOCK ON WOOD

My new work in progress....

On Wednesday, I brought home a new foster who "needs some work" in all honesty, it's very likely that he is "unadoptable" and therefore staying with me as a "permafoster"

He is VERY adrenal and we are currently working to get it under control. How that translates practically speaking is that he is aggressive. Think horny teen with no impulse control crossed with Neanderthal--and you might get the picture. The good thing is that it's not his fault and he really is a nice boy. (of course, the ferrets he is dragging around by their neck, may not agree)

We decided to send him to my house, 1. as a reward for all the hard work that I do... (hahahahaha--that was my joke-work your butt off, and as a reward, you get the ferret that doesn't get along with anyone...) 2 (the real reason) because I have a really great group of ferrets who like to mess around, but usually don't get offended easily --so they will either get away from whomever is bothering them, or bat them off-but it usually doesn't turn into a major aggressive episode. and 3. he likes to bother little girls--and my girls aren't little--my girls are tough and scary. One of my girls (Mari) made Diane's Alpha cry and we had to go rescue him. :-(

So, I brought him home on Wednesday-and let him out in the room with a couple of guys, just to see how it would work out. At first, I just had him out with Henri and Tempe (my kids who get along with EVERYONE) thinking he might not mess with them. At first he didn't--but, then I found him dragging Henri under the cage by his neck--with Henri completely limp (he wasn't hurting him, and Henri was acting appropriately to a more dominant ferret)--but, I didn't want him to be subjected to that. So, for his protection, Henri went back in the cage. A couple minutes later, the same thing happened to Tempe--so, I rescued her and put her in the cage.

So, after that, I thought that I would go straight to the big guns--no more messing around--yes, that means...MARI came out. (cue scary music). My mindset was that he might not continue to try to mess with someone who won't let him.

It actually worked--he tried to mess with her for about an hour--and she tried to mess with him right back--and then they got tired--so, there would be about 15 minutes of quiet with periodic messing with each other noises. Then they decided that they would be friends.

Then came the next step--another ferret. But, who should it be?? I decided the nice kids were out of the question (at least for that night) so that meant that Tempe, Henri and La La were staying in the cage. Al can be fresh with the smaller girls-(cause he's kind of a bully) and I was afraid that he would get the fur kicked out of him. Freckles is also adrenal and I could just picture the two adrenel boys going at it, so that was out. There was no way I was going to subject my foster girls to him because they are too delicate and even don't associate with my beasties. So--that left Coyle and Meelo--which could go either way. Sometimes Coyle is a bully and other times he totally takes crap--it depends on his mood. I never really know how he will react to each new ferret. On the other hand-Meelo NEVER takes shit (but he's so big, he rarely gets it) so, it could go either way. I thought that I would give it a shot.

The immediately went at it--but more noise than aggression--both their tails were poofed, but I knew that Meelo wasn't really mad because he is not descent ed and when he is truly mad--trust me, all know it!! That went on for a little bit then it settled down. I needed to go to bed, so I put Skipton (the new kid) in his own cage (for every one's safety) and went to bed.

The next morning, I was feeling dangerous (lol) so I let them all out (except the foster girls) and there were a couple of scuffles, but nothing major (mostly between him and Freckles, which I suspected) and Al was under the radar, hiding out. (LOL)

I let them all hang out for a bit and then put him in the separate cage again so I could go "do Thanksgiving"

To be continued....