Ferretwise Holiday Party

Well, on December 1st, we held our little Christmas
get together with all the people that are involved
with Ferretwise. People in attendance were, Marilyn,
Skyla, Susan, Maurice, Dino, Alicia, and of course,
me. Ferrets in attendance in this case were, Nestle,
since we were in his domain. He suffers Alicia to
have her art studio there too. We started off in the
studio for snacks and chatting, was also open house
time for Alicia's studio, http://www.earlysunrisefineart.com/

It was good to have time to chat and get caught up with
people. We then adjourned to Lee & Mt Fuji restaurant
for dinner and the traditional Yankee Swap. I will
attempt to attach a photo of the group, haven't done
this before, so I hope it works. I ended up with what
I brought for the swap, but that's ok. I purchased
something I would like to get, what planning! When we
first arrived, Marilyn pointed out to me that my
shirt was on inside out. She thought maybe it was some
new style, and I briefly thought of going with that,
but decided that I would just be truthful and then point
out that it was like that the whole time back at the
studio, and nobody noticed. If it isn't weasel like
and furry, we are a pretty unobservant bunch.

Back Row: Me, Susan, and Dino
Front Row: Skyla, Alicia, and Maurice
Not pictured: Marilyn (She's taking the picture)

After that some of us went back to the studio for
some coffee and more socializing. Plus we had to
play with Nestle a little bit. There were 2
packages there for me to grab, one for Ozzie and
LizBeth, and another for JJ and Austin. These were
their Christmas gifts from their secret Santa's. They
also helped me out a bunch as they had a bunch of supplies
that get used by everybody. So it was great all around.
Thank you to the secret Santa, you know who you are. I
don't, that's why they are Secret Santa's. After
coffee and more snackie things than I needed, it was time
to go. I had a 2 hour drive ahead of me, it was a fun time
altogether.

LAUNDRY DAY

Last weekend, I had decided it was time all the
bedding for the kids needed to be washed. This
is a semi annual event. These guys REALLY hate
it when I do the laundry. They like things just the
way they are. Lil was the only one that seemed to
think it was a fun time. I did it one house at a
time, starting with the 2 boys, JJ and Austin. I
started removing the dirty stuff, hammocks, sleep
sacks, and so on. Now the boys were occupying the
place at the time. It was Lil and Starlights time
out. Austin did not want me doing this, he, to my
surprise, very uncharacteristically nipped at my
hand a few times during the process. Austin never
does this! JJ will do it in the excitement of play,
but Austin seems so mild mannered. I got the job
done despite the protests.

As I pulled stuff out I dumped it in a pile on the
floor. This led to lot's of entertainment for Lil.
She had been asleep in the carrier in the corner
but came out when she heard me rustling around.
All this stuff on the floor to crawl through!
And it smelled like all those other guys she
wished she could get at to show them who is
the boss! She was crawling around frantically
doing the cluck sound ferrets do when they get
really excited. Her tail was totally bottle
brushed too. Lil spent the whole time I was
in there rummaging through all the dirty
laundry. I had to give her a foamy fry to
distract her so I could pick it up and take
it to the washing machine. Of course everyone
saw me do that and it meant treats all around.
I am such a soft touch.

Boston Children's Museum and other things.

Hi, It's been a good long time since I wrote anything, so I figured

I ought to. Alicia needs more material for the news letter anyhow.
On September 15th, JJ, Austin, and I went into the Boston Children's
Museum for a Critter Day. We had a little section of the museum to
set up a play pen and introduce the ferrets to any kids that wanted
to meet them. We were there with some of the shelter folks, Alicia
and Dino, Susan and Skyla were there too. As well as some of the
shelter occupants. I for the life of me can't remember which one's,
but JJ and Austin were there, so that is all that matters!

It was a very fun day, we met quite a few people and introduced them
to the ferrets. JJ and Austin also got to get re-aquainted with some
of their pals from when they lived in the shelter. They enjoyed
themselves as much as we humans did. All that unsolicited attention!
Finally they got the limelight they deserved. On the drive into Boston,
My 2 boys were incredibly antsy, I took them in the detachable top
floor of their condo. I had it all neatly arranged. Corner litterbox
in place, food here, bed there, mat under all. By the time we got
there, the litter box and food had been spilled a couple of times,
and the bedding was everywhere! So they were full of energy for
the day. The trip home was the complete opposite. Once we got out
of the building and into the car and traveling, they settled
right down and went straight into what I like to call the ferret
sleep of the dead. In this state it takes an atomic bomb blast
to get a ferret to stir. Even when you get their attention, they
will open up one eye and say, what? The first time I encountered
this phenomenon was with my first ferret, Mishka. I cam home
found her curled up and unresponsive and was really sad because
I thought she had passed on. When they get like that, they are
limp as a wet noodle, and will usually have a tongue hanging out.
Then I realized, wait a minute! She's very warm, and breathing!
I was tapping her on the forehead for a minute or so before
she stirred and opened one eye with the attitude of, what
do you want?

Other things going on at home, I have instituted some tooth
brushing. Starting with Starlight and Ozzie who had some
gross things growin in their mouths. Now Starlight is a tiny
little thing, we just weighed her last week at the vets and
she was at 640 grams, which is a good weight for her. I bought
a couple of children's ultra soft tooth brushes and some kitten
tooth paste and started out. When I scruff her, she can make
it with her neck, so there is nothing to grab. I will eventually
get a hold on her. But when I start brushing, then the fun begins!
She will thrash about like a little devil. I can't keep a grip
on her. She spins her bottom around like a top. She spends
most of the day sleeping and resting, she is almost 8, so
she has plenty of energy to spare. I will eventually get the
deed done, but we are both usually covered in tooth paste!
After that it's Ozzie's turn. He lets me scruff him and brush
away for as long as I want. Go figure. This is the one that
Alicia sent with me because he chomped on too many people.
He is fine with me. Hasn't tried in a while. I think he is
content. Well, that is all for now. Life goes on, there
are always plenty of N-bones and other treats, who could
ask for more?

Awesome Austin and the J Man

Last Saturday we had our monthly get together of Ferretwise
people. We met at the shelter instead of the Colony Mill
Marketplace so we could do some clean up work and have a
barbecue. JJ went for a ride with me to visit with Austin.
They were roommates when JJ lived at the shelter. Austin
is the only ferret that JJ likes, any other ferret he
tries to beat up. Austin was supposed to go with some
other people who ended up not being able to take him,
so he came home with JJ and I so they could be roomies
again. We just had to make sure JJ remembered Austin,
fortunately he did. So while I cleaned carriers and
ate barbecue, they got reacquainted and played.

On the trip out, JJ was all full of energy
for some reason, usually when I travel with any of the
kids, they just hang out in a hammock and sleep. Not
JJ, he was bouncing off the walls, kept trying to
turn the litter box over and generally messed his
carrier up. Fortunately on the trip home, with
Austin in there with him, he was calmer and napped.
I think he had played pretty hard and was worn out.

Austin has moved right in and is getting used to
his new home. I discovered he is a door charger, the
first time they were out to play, I opened the door
to go in and he zipped out right between my feet.
He didn't get far though, I think he was confused
because he didn't recognize the place. I was told
by Alicia that he got out last week and was in her
fabric room having a grand old time. I think he
was looking for that. I was able to nab him while
he was standing there. His befuddlement didn't
last long though, he goes at the door every time
I open it when he is out. Even if he is across the
room. I am ready for him now though. So now I have 2
of them, Lil likes to do that too. Keeps me on my
toes.
JJ is now a happier boy than he was before, if
that is possible. He has his roommate back to
help in any shenanigans he might want to get into.
He is so funny when I let them out for their play
time. They won't come out on their own, I have to
lift them out and give a hug. But when I put JJ
down, he never lands on his feet. He is so
excited to get going he is squirming all over the
place, so he ends up falling over on his side
usually. He will then run around in a circle a
couple of times. After that he makes a dash for
under the chest of drawers I have in there to hold
bedding and stuff for them. This is the funniest
part because JJ is a large boy, so he has to squash
down with his hind legs spread eagle to get under
there. He does this at top speed though, which is
why it is kind of comical to watch. After he gets
under he sticks his nose out to see if I am still
there, because he wants to play some more. I always
oblige him. The sack game is his favorite.( See
the airport post for the description of this.).

While at the airport

While I sit at the Manchester NH airport waiting for my delayed flight,
I thought I would write a post. Try to catch up on what has been going on.
I am flying down to Atlanta to do a face to face interview with a company
called Danger. The job is up here, but the guy I will work for is located in
Duluth Ga. So I get a trip on them down there. Fun, huh? The flight is
delayed by 3.5 hours or so, thus the wait.
Well, there is a new face at the ferret fun house. JJ a.k.a. Jeremiah Jr.
has moved in to the empty house in the ferret room. He is a real sweet
heart of a ferret. His problem is, he doesn't like other ferrets, just people.
So he hangs out alone, until I get home from work to play with him. Then
he is all energy. He loves playing with his Rikki Tikki Snake toy. I think
he likes the rattle in it. He can jump up as high as my knee, which is
pretty good considering his size. He likes to play the jump in the sack
game too. I hold a sleep sack open in front of him and shake it around
in the air and he will jump into it. He enjoys that a lot. He likes his
soup too. Every morning he gets a bowl and finishes the whole thing.
I caught red handed LizBeth sleeping in the litter box on the first
floor of the youngsters house. Alicia put it beautifully when she said,
"Oh for pete's sake!". This explains why it's always such a
mess in there! ;-) When they are out to play they poop all over the
floor too. Kids, I go through a lot of paper towels because of them,
but that's ok, I shop at BJ's and buy in bulk. I have noticed they get
better as they get older. We will see if that holds true. At least LizBeth
lets me trim her nails now. Time was she didn't want the ferrettone
and would just bite away at my fingers. She is learning.
Oh well my flight is getting ready to board so I will publish this and
get ready to hit the skies.

Making a fun toy funnier!

The other day I was in a pet store picking up some of the necessities.
Things like N-bones, Totally ferret senior, and oh yeah, some cat food.
Yeah I have a cat too, a mackerel striped tabby cat named Igor,
pronounced eye-gore. Straight out of Young Frankenstein. If you don't
get the reference, I suggest you rent the movie. Anyhow, while I was
there, I decided to pick up a new tube for the guys to use. They
shredded their last one some time ago.
I came home all proud of myself for being such a good dad and
took the tube out and attached it to the big ball thing made for this
purpose. The first thing I noticed was that the tube wouldn't stay
stretched out, the spring would pull it back together. I pulled it
way out and held it there for a bit, but it would slowly pull itself
back together. I stretched it out and left it. The kids showed it
sporadic interest at best. Whenever I went in I would stretch it
out for them. It was clear that it wasn't as much fun to run down
a short little thing as it was when it was stretched out.

We went on for a few days doing things that way. I would
stretch it out whenever I went in, which is frequently. When
I did this there would be about 10 minutes of high intensity
play and then they would stand around waiting for me to
do it again. This was all the youngsters playing, Sasha,
Ozzie, and Lizbeth. Lil and Starlight are much to refined for
any such shenanigans. Anyhow, one day I had an epiphany,
what if I stretched out the tube and tied it into a knot like a
pretzel? Brilliant I thought and enacted this plan as soon as I
got home.

The 3 kids were having their playtime when I went to
implement plan. Ozzie always flips out ecstatically when
I come in the room while he is out, and this occasion was
no exception. This always transfers to the other 2 as well,
making it a little difficult to get the tube picked up, stretched
out and pretzel-ized with 3 ferrets jumping on you. I
accomplished my task though, and the 3 of them went to
town with it. It was the coolest flurry of frenetic ferret frenzy
I have seen in a long while. It is a riot with all 3 of them in there
at once! The down side of it is that they go at it with such gusto
that within 10 minutes, the tube is lying out straight again.
Then they come at me, jumping up on my legs to get me to do
it again. I think it is good that it won't stay knotted up, because
then it would become just the same old toy and wouldn't get
used as much.

Yuck! Bad breath!

Well, Since the last time I wrote anything not much exciting has
happened around here. Last week I took Lil and Star in for their
annual poking and prodding, which is twice a year now since they
are officially into old lady status. Everything looked pretty good.
The only problem being Lil's teeth. Even though I have been
brushing her teeth once a day, not a venture for the faint of heart,
she still has gross-ness going on in there. So next week she is going
in to get her teeth and gums cleaned up. Starlight is pushing 7 years
old, but doing pretty good. She has had her teeth done and a lump
taken off of her belly, which was almost but not quite cancerous. No
other lumps have shown up since, so we are keeping our fingers
crossed. She go a melatonin chip installed, which will hopefully help
her out some. She was very good about it, she didn't even squirm.
Elliot used to freak out when we did it to him.

We did have a bit of a miracle a couple of weeks ago. When I am
home I go in and check on the kids frequently. At night, the cage
of youngsters are out to play and Lil and Star are in their house.
They need to separated because Lil and Ozzie will start to go at
it. It was dislike at first sight when Lil met him. Anyway, One
time I went in to check, and said hi to Lil and Star, and forgot
to shut the top door after I was done! Now I have ferrets that
are part Monkey, they will all climb up the sides of the cages.
Usually when I do this, it is followed in short order by a lot of
screeching and fighting as Lil and Ozzie go at it. But they
didn't this time. I went back in before going to bed, about an
hour or so later and saw it open and almost freaked out. Lil
and Star were still sleeping soundly. I looked around the room
and Ozzie was in his usual hidey hole, in the cloth tube he pulled
under the chest. Lizbeth was in there with him, but I couldn't
find Sasha. Turns out she climbed up into Lil and Stars cage
and went down to the second floor and into the big sock there
and was sleeping there. No fighting at all, I was amazed. Maybe
there is hope they will all get along and we can have only one
play time? I will have to experiment and see if Lil still hates
Ozzie, maybe just by being in the same room, they are getting
used to each others scent?

As for the youngsters, they are all fine, boisterous as ever. I
am still trying to get the idea across to Lizbeth that biting is
not a good thing. She is an incredibly cute and cuddly looking
sable ferret with white mitts, but you have to be careful if
you pick her up. She will pretty quickly start to show an interest
in your hand, and if you let her look to close, the teeth will come
out! She has only gotten me good once. Lately she has just been
grabbing, but I don't let her do it if I can avoid it. Ozzie hasn't
tried for me in a while, so maybe he is getting past it. Although
I don't offer him my nose! Lizbeth has a fun task she performs.
If the food in their bowl gets a little to old for her, she will
evacuate from the bowl all over the floor for me, that way I know to
fill it up again! We are still working on litter box etiquette with the
youngun's, They use the one on the 2nd floor of their house no
problem. It was hard to get a box with a high back in there.
They wouldn't use the corner pan because it was too small, they
like to be in it when they go. The tray I tried for there was big
enough, but they would hike their butts up so that they would
poop right out of the box half of the time. So with the help of a
utility knife and some goop glue, I combined the two so that I
have a high backed pan they can stand in to go, ( Oh, the
cleverness of me! ). There weren't any to buy that fit the
space I needed it in, and if you know ferrets, you know you
put the litter box where the ferret goes or they will just go
there anyhow! There is a big litter box on the first floor that
goes unused, except to play in. They will go beside it, but
otherwise just play in it. Fortunately that doesn't happen often.
Well, that's it for now, for anyone that may read this, thanks!
Sign my guest book, I will get some new pics up on the site
soon, I hope.....! Sign my guest book! ;-)

Caffine? We don't need no stinkin' caffine!

Well, life in our little neck of the woods has slowed down to a
thankfully dull routine. Everybody seems to be healthy, Sasha
has gotten over the nasty infection she got back in October. It
was an ugly one. Greenish white puss was building up in her
sinuses and would make her face look all swollen until I pushed
all the goop out and cleaned her up. This didn't seem to bother
her all that much, and the twice daily personal attention she would
get didn't hurt either! She wasn't fond of getting the area cleaned
with peroxide. It did give her that sexy peroxide blond look for a
while. Finally Dr. Guerino figured things out and she had to take
clindamycin twice a day for a month and that cleared things up and
she is back to her beautiful sable self again.

Ozzie has most definitely come out of his shell since he has been
here. Time was when I would let the youngsters out for their
playtime, he would hang back waiting for me to reach in and
pick him up for a hug or two. Now when I open the door, he
bursts out all energy and excitement and runs around in
circles and does his happy dance. It matters not a wit to him
if he runs into things, actually it seems he feels that's half the
fun of it. He'll be trying to go so fast that he won't have traction
for some of the romp, and his bum will slide out from under
him and beat his front end to where ever he was going. A pretty
funny thing to see, and I get a kick out of it every night. Every
once in a while I will pick him up in mid run and give him a hug
and a scratch. He calms down and enjoys this, he likes it when I
do the dual scratch on his head and neck, three fingers under the
chin, three on the back of his head, scratch liberally. This will
cause closed eyes and a big yawn every time! Then I'll put him
down and the motor will be revved up before he hits the floor again.
How can you not love someone who is so happy to see you all the
time?He has come a long way from the biter I took in. Not that
he doesn't try, ( and sometimes succeed ), to take a taste every
now and then, just to keep in practice you understand.

Lizbeth is the newest member of the family here. She at fist was
shy, and Sasha didn't like her a lot. But they resolved their
differences and seem to get along pretty good. One of my favorite
things is to look in their house and see all three of them crammed
into that one bed. She has taken over Ozzie's old predilection
of wanting to be picked up and held before she comes out to play.
This is fine, it gives her a sense of security. Then I put her down
and she is off to play with her buds. I recently introduced them
to the treat ball. This is a round ball with an opening on one end
that has a door on it the lets you vary the size of the opening so
it will only let out a treat or two at a time. The object is the kid
or kids in question roll the ball around with their nose and when
it rolls just right, a treat comes. This is something any ferret can
get into. The youngsters current favorite is Totally Ferret treats.
I usually open a package or two and put them in a container to
keep them fresh, and this leads to the inevitable small chunks at
the bottom that are the perfect size for the treat ball. After
I filled it up and showed them the general idea of it, they were at
it for hours. I could here them after I went to bed. Ah to be young.