Fitzi the ferret
My ideal pet situation would involve a cat. Maybe two. They are easily litter trained, never bark, entertain themselves for long periods of time without human intervention, cuddle nicely when needed, rarely if ever eat shoes, and their favorite food is generally available at the grocery store. So why am I currently involved in the care of a dog, a tarantula, Madacascar hissing roaches, an African clawed frog, a snake, a turtle, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, parakeets, hermit crabs, fish, mice, and a ferret?
First of all, my significant other has a Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Winston. Winston was followed by a tarantula named Fang, and three hissing roaches named Larry, Curly and Moe. Fang and the roaches are pretty low maintenance, although frequent purchases of crickets is in order for Fang. Winston is far from low maintenance, requiring constant outside expeditions and intense play time. Little did I know Winston was just the tip of the iceberg.
A new program in town, called Lifetown, creates a simulated city where special needs children can come to practice using money, learning about safety, making appointments, applying for jobs, all in a safe environment. A highlight of a visit for many is a trip to the Pet Place, where I have become a regular volunteer. As the year has progressed we have learned how to best care for the animals’ physical and social needs. New pets show up from time to time unannounced, adding to the mix and creating more challenges. I now shop for earthworms for the turtle, mice small enough for George the ball python to swallow, carrots and greens for the rodents, and millet sprays for the parakeets. Winston finds my clothing fascinating after a morning of helping young visitors hold or feed all the animals, and if lucky, watch the snake consume his bi-weekly mouse.
Fitzi the ferret has become my special friend. Once I began to research ferrets, I realized how social they are and that they easily get depressed if left alone for long periods, as might happen when there is no session for a week or so. So now Fitzi comes home with me for the school breaks. Moving her cage is a hassle – big wire cage, cat tree inside, plastic bottom, litter box, bowls, food, litter, hammock. Websites tell how to attempt to ferret-proof a home. However, it is impossible to ferret AND puppy-proof a home. They seem to have a very good system – she knocks over the wastebaskets, Winston chews or shreds the contents. Winston loves to play with her – when she wakes up he comes and gets me, and waits for me to let her out to play. Then he chases her, she hides his toys in the chaise, walks in his water bowl, teases him, then runs under the couch, comes out and nips at him if he wanders off. I block off access to the basement, then check on them as they play, waiting for the inevitable crash as she discovers something else she simply has to investigate or push aside so she can investigate something else.
Ferrets sleep 18 hrs. a day – but when they are awake they are frantically active. When they sleep they are not easily awakened. The other day I couldn’t find her when it was time to go back in the cage. I called and searched the entire house over and over. I finally decided she had crawled into a small hole that connected somehow with a crawl space under part of the house. I broke open a panel of insulation to see in, called her over and over, worrying that I had allowed Lifetown’s ferret to be trapped somewhere in a horrible death. About 3 hours later, something scuttled across the living room. She had been playing and got tired, curled up behind the couch in a rolled up rug where I couldn’t see her, and saw no reason to come out when called.
It looks like I may have Fitzi through the summer – I wonder if pet sitters watch ferrets?
(This is a repost, transferred from my old blog. Original date Apr. 3, 2009)
