Scooter's Story - Submitted by Chris
Two years ago, a teacher from Arch Bishop McCarthy called the rescue and asked Dona if she could take their Science Class Mascot. Her name was Scooter and she was a sweet adorable three year old, cinnamon ferret. She had been attacked by a dog, and was unable to stand. She tried to get around by leaning on her left side, dragging and kicking her legs to get some traction. She did alright, but not what a ferret wants to do.
I was helping out that night, when Dona brought her in to show me how sweet she was. We both knew she wouldn’t get adopted. I knew she needed to come home with me. I took her to the vet to evaluate her condition. My vet said it appeared to be a ligament condition, and there wasn’t anything we could do. I asked her if she knew anything about acupuncture. She referred me to a vet she knew that had never treated a ferret, but would be happy to see how it goes. Scooter was her test case. The vet was a bit scared of the long fangs protruding from her mouth, and proceeded cautiously. Scooter laid in my arms fully relaxed while she got the needles administered all over her. When the treatment was complete, we put her on the floor. The vet and I were both amazed with the results, as was Scooter. After one session her legs were positioned directly underneath her now. She tried to stand but still had difficulty. When Scooter and I got home she was like a kid with a new bike. She got to the tube and ran through that tube for 40 minutes non-stop. I think it was the first time in a very long time she had her feet underneath her. I worked with her every day, for tube training PT, water aerobics to help her muscles relax, and she would try walking on her back legs as I held her upper body. I made a special ramp for her so she could get up the stairs easy. I even made a little cart that to help her be more mobile. For two and a half years, I could see how much she enjoyed me helping her be a ferret.
Last month, she seemed to be getting tired. She didn’t want to go through all the work. Her leg was locking out more and more. I helped her up the stairs by holding her backside as her front arms did all the work. She didn’t want to play in the tube much, she was just tired. I woke up the other morning to find her limp and lethargic. She had a stroke. She was barely hanging on. I had to make her comfortable and let her go over the rainbow bridge so she could finally run. We can all relate to losing a favorite ferret, but she made such an impact in everyone that ever met her. She will be missed by many, and I am so glad I was able to help her.
...She's out of sight for a little while, And you'll miss her touch and her little smile. But you know she is safe in the home above, where there is nothing but Peace and Love. And, surely, you would not deny her peace... And you're glad that she has found release. Think of her there as a soul that is free, And Home at last, where she wanted to be... We love you Pumpkin. Until we meet again =). RIP. - L.C.
This was our first ferret Moon. We found her abandoned in the parking lot of the Publix on Davie Road. I saw something crossing the road and yelled at my husband to stop; he stopped, got out of the car and went over to see what type of animal it was - it was a ferret!! Much to our surprise she let him pick her up; he got back in the car and told me to drive home. The ferret fell asleep on his lap. We named her "Moon" because it was a full moon that night. We took her to the vet to have her checked out. We learned she had an adrenal gland problem but otherwise she was in great shape. We bought her a cage with all of the trimmings and trappings. When we let her out to play she would run around and laugh. She was best friends with Duke (our 60 lb boxer mix) and Rusty (our 20 lb orange tabby). She would hang on to Duke's leg and he would lick her from her head to the tip of her tail, she didn't mind this at all. Unfortunately Moon lost her battle with adrenal gland disease and we had to send her over the rainbow bridge. She had a good life with us and the rest of our furry family for eight months from the day we found her. We miss her very much!! Barbara and Ward Benjamin
Dear Frankie,
Oh my lil boy I just remember the day I got you, you stole my heart. I took you into my family and you became everything to me. You stuck by my side through the good the happy and the sad times. You were always there for me. You were my lil man. About 7 years later god called your name. It was time for you to go. You took a piece of my heart with you and you left so many memories behind with me that I will never forget. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. At night I sit outside look up to the stars and pray hoping you can hear me and are looking down at me saying mommy I'm fine now I'm not in pain I'm up here in heaven playing eating all the cheerios that I want. I know you are in good hands. I just can't get over the fact that you are gone. Since the day I got you I always said what would I do without my Frankie by my side. A day came where I had to hand you in great hands of broward ferret rescue and I still came every two weeks cuz I couldn't let you go. They took the best care of you I couldn't have had a better person take good care of you the way they did and I'm sure you love them for everything they did. Well Frankie your day has come we had to let you go. I'm really lost with out you here but like I do everyday is think of the positive and know you are not in pain and not going to suffer and that you are in good hands. I love you lil man and I will miss you. I like to think as this is not a goodbye it's a see you later cuz we will meet again and when we do I know it will be as if we never left each other. I'll always remember you my boy as a happy boy I love you Frankie may you rest in peace
Frankie not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I miss you each and everyday. You brought joy happiness and lots of love to my life. I know you are up in heaven looking down at me and telling me that you are ok now and not suffering. I look up to the stars every night and hope you can hear me when I talk to you. I know one day we will meet again but just can't get over the fact that your gone. I never wanted this day to come. I love you my lil man and I'm really going to miss you. I think of the positive and I know you are ok now. I just want you to know that mommy loves you and everyone that was in your life loves you too. Not any other animal can replace you. You were my boy and you stuck by my side through everything. You were always there through my sad and happy times. May you rip Frankie cross that rainbow bridge and I will see you again one day. I love you Frankie you will always have a piece of my heart and I'll always have a piece of yours. I love you and I'm really going to miss you.
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