Ellington (Hortonville), Wisconsin           (920) 574-2277 (main number)

Eulogies
This page comes from the heart.  We wish to pay respects to those in our care who have passed on. 
We'll miss you...
Please note, eulogies are not necessarily in chronological order-they are posted as they are received via email from their families, or are listed with their "brothers or sisters" who went to the bridge earlier.
If you would like to have your fuzzy listed, please email us your words and ATTACH the picture you would like to use.

Sable is a very sweet girl who originally arrived as a foster, but who was never picked up.  She was adopted in Spring of 2008, had adrenal surgery (not more than 3 months after her adoption-pd for by FVF)  in June of 2008.  She was returned to FVF on 3/14/09 following the death of the other ferret in the household.  At taht time, she was again showing signs of adrenal disease and started receiving ferretonin implants.  Given her history, she is now classified as a permanent resident in the shelter.  Sable was very shy at first, but come out of her shell and started asking for attention.  She likes people as long as they are gentle and move slowly, but is happiest sleeping in a snuggie sack with other seniors.  She is frightened by loud music, yelling or other loud noises.  She gives kisses, but will sometimes get a little too enthusiastic in her "grooming" and give a little nip.  Based on the condition of her teeth, we are estimating she was born mid to late 2004.  Sable past away quietly from old age, in a snuggie with her friends sleeping with her on 6/20/10.

Lulu arrived at FVF a foster ferret in June, 2008 along with their sisters Reno and Margo (see below).  Their owner has since decided that the best thing to do for the girls is place them up for adoption.  Lulu is a large plush silver,  Reno is also silver, but is on the thinner side with shorter fur.   All three are very nice girls with no nipping or biting problems.  They are hit and miss with the litter pan.  Lulu and Reno had been getting small doses of prednisolone every other day- but this has been ended.  For Lulu it was to address what we believed to be early insulinoma (she had two mild seizures that we are aware of) but we now believe the seizures were a side effect of a virus that affected her appetite.  In Reno it was to help booster her appetite.  Reno has shown herself to be a more sensitive ferret than her sisters.  She developed an ulcer shortly after her introduction to the main ferret population, then again following a loud "parade" that went directly past the shelter in August of 2008.  Lulu and Reno have been removed from adoption due to aging issues on Lulu's part and Reno's extreme sensitivity.  All three were vet checked in June (AMC), Margo and Lulu got their distemper shots at that time.  Reno was not feeling well at the time, so her shot was done in the shelter on 9/10/08.  Based on the previous owner's report, and the condition of their teeth, Margo and Reno were likely born mid 2004, while Lulu was likely born mid 2003. Reno went to the bridge on 4/27/09 following another ulcer flair up.  Lulu joined her sisters on 7/8/10 from old age.
Margo arrived at FVF with her two sisters (removed from adoption due to aging issues) as foster ferrets in June, 2008.  Their owner has since decided that the best thing to do for the girls is place them up for adoption.  Margo has a wonderful plush dark sable coat.  She is a very nice girl with no nipping or biting problems.  She is hit and miss with the litter pan.  She would likely do best in a quieter home with no small children and lots of love and attention.  Margo enjoys running and playing chase games, and needs a home with at least one other ferret to play with.  She was vet checked and had her distemper shot in June, 2009 (AMC).  Based on the previous owner's report, and the condition of her teeth, Margo was likely born mid 2004. Margo joined Reno at the bridge on 7/24/09.

Jesse came back to FVF several years after he had been adopted (under a different name) because his owner developed health issues and could no longer deal with Jesse's declining health.  Jesse was happy to be with the other senior ferrets since his last cagemate had gone to the bridge some time earlier.  He responded well to prednisolone and had a good couple of months before old age took him.  He was a sweet boy and will be missed.

Bear came all the way from Colorado to live out his days at FVF.  He had been owner surrendered to Dumb Friends League on 3/28/09 and had been approved for "315" if no ferret shelter would take him.  Luckily, the wonderful people at Totally Ferret stepped in and transported him and three other ferrets to us in May.  Bear is probably 8 ½ years old and adrenal.  We gave him a ferretonin implant and he settled into the senior ferret room.  He spends his time sleeping curled up with other senior citizens including Lulu, Squink and Titan.  Bear was euthanized on 1/28/10.  His adrenal tumor had gotten so large it was making it hard for him to move around and we were afraid if we waited too much longer it might rupture.

Makara and Ruby arrived on 3/10/06 because their owner had a baby and no longer had enough time for them.  Ruby is a sweetheart.  She does nip toes if she is not getting enough attention or if her belly is being tickled.  Makara is a toy hoarder, and tends to bite arms (lick, lick, chomp).  She doesn't particularly like men.  Annual vet check and distemper shots done on 1/28/08 (LS).   According to the records provided with them, they were likely born July of 2002.  Ruby and Makara both had adrenal surgery on 4/18/08 (LS).  They have recovered well, although both still have sparse coats.   They have been removed from adoption because Makara's biting behavior is continuing to worsen.  In addition, Ruby has been showing her advancing age.  We have decided that the kindest thing is to allow these sisters to live out their days in the home they have known for over two years now.  Ruby went to the bridge 9/12/08 in the comfort of her snuggly.  Her sister Makara continued as a permanent resident of FVF until she joined her sister on 1/28/10.

In a nine day period from late Oct to early Nov 2009 FVF was dealing with a flu outbreak (like so many other shelters).  This year's flu claimed the lives of three of our senior or debilitated ferrets:
Ed was a fairly new arrival who with his 4 siblings came into the shelter with giardia (a parasite).  He had completed treatment and was free of the giardia, but had lost a great deal of weight and we had not been able to "bulk" him up.  When he was hit with the flu, he had no reserves to fight it with.  We tried our best, but could not pull him through and euthanasia became the most humane action.

Jingles had been at the shelter for some time after arriving with her two sisters (they are doing fine).  Jingles dehydrated very quickly and got to the point the even sub-q hydration just leaked back out.  She was so far down we made the decision to euthanize

Weasel had arrived with his sister (doing fine) and brother (already at the bridge) earlier this year.  He had adrenal surgery shortly after his arrival and recovered from that only to be diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer.  He was being kept comfortable and was happy in the senior room cuddling with other "oldsters" such as Jingles when the flu hit.  He was the last ferret to pass away from the flu-just as we thought he was going to pull through.

During the same nine day period, we lost three other ferrets to old age or medical conditions not related to the flu.
Ezzy Sue had been at the shelter about a month when she went into seizures.  No seizure treatment managed to stop the seizures and after a very long Sunday night, she was euthanized on Monday morning.  Since she did not respond to treatment for insulinoma induced seizures, our vet believes she may have had a brain tumor.  She was a sweet old lady.  We are glad she was able to spend her last days in the company of other ferrets since she had reportedly been very lonely since her cage mate died several months ago.

Sweet William arrived with his brother and sister (doing fine) after being left outside of Lincoln County Humane in a liquior box.  Sweet William was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma and did fine for a short period.  When he stopped eating his baby food it was clear the lymphoma had won.  The decision was made to let him go rather than attempt forced feedings and hydration.  He was such a good boy and even at the end seemed so grateful for gentle loving human contact.  Tippy joined her brother at the bridge on 2/12/10.  She had arrived wtih a severe ear infection resulting in a permanent head tilt.  After the infection was finally cleared up, she failed to gain weight, even though she ate well.  She was a very social ferret, sleeping in a big pile of ferrets under a blanket.  The last week of her life she was showing symptoms of a virus along with some other ferrets, unfortunately, she was so thin she did not have the reserves to fight it even with special feedings and antibiotics.  She crossed to the bridge in the best way she could have-sleeping in a pile of other ferrets under a blanket.

Swipers came back to the shelter after being adopted approx two years prior.  Her teenage owner had "lost interest" in her and instead of being responsible choose to make excuses such as becoming "allergic" to her and allowing her father to move Swipers out of the house and into the garage.  She was rescued from the brink of death and returned to the shelter by the man's ex-wife (and mother of the teenager).  Swipers recovered from her extreme neglect and became the shelter mom's "upstair" ferret since she did NOT like other ferrets and was very unhappy in the shelter.  Over the next year to year and a half, Swipers was a very happy and much loved girl.  Even needing to take medications for insulinoma did not bother her in the least, in fact, she looked forward to her baby food.  A few days prior to her death, she stopped being interested in the baby food.  We managed to get some liquid medications in for a short time, but then she stopped swallowing that as well.  She went into seizure over a weeekend and died.  We estimate that she was between seven and eight years old.  It isn't the same without her-the cats don't drag toys and the shelter mom's slippers under the bed.

In memory of Traci and Lisa's much loved ferrets: Moose, Raz, Randy,
Rumpy and Rascoe.

Bullet has left the building (5/8/09).  He was our grand "old man" who arrived several years ago as a senior citizen.  In spite of his age, Bullet was the dominant ferret in the room until very recently.  He mellowed with age; we think he was nearly 10 when he went to the bridge, and his last months were spent sleeping in a nest box with this "harum".  We know Ruby, Baby and Reno were waiting for the big guy at the bridge.  Even at the end he was feisty and would have stayed longer, we made the very difficult decision to euthanize him because his abdominal tumor had grown so large it was making it hard for him to walk and we were afraid it would rupture-we didn't want that kind of end for him.

Stinker died unexpectedly on 4/29/09.  It appears his heart simply "gave out" on the way between the food dish and the snuggie sacks.  We are glad we were able to give Stinker a happy, loving home with plenty of ferret friends for the last six months of his life.  He arrived as a neglect case with his brother Gollum (went to the bridge due to the neglect, just over a week after arriving at FVF).  Stinker has recovered from his neglect and enjoys sleeping in a pile of other ferrets.  Since he has always been with other ferrets, he should not be considered as a single ferret and would probably be happiest in a home with a couple of others.  When he arrived, we did not try to estimate his age because poor diet and dirty conditions affected his skin, coat and teeth-we now believe he was likely born late in 2003 or early in 2004.  Since Stinker's coat remained very sparse after he had been at the shelter for nearly two months, he was given a ferretonin implant on Nov 28, 08.  He brought in a beautiful coat, which tells us he has adrenal disease.  Since he is doing so well on the implant, we have not made a decision about adrenal surgery as of yet.  Vet check and distemper done on 10/6/06 (AMC).        

Baby(female) is a very sweet girl who arrived when her cage mate went to the bridge.  Baby was also having some veterinary issues and her owners did not want her to be alone, but did not feel she was getting enough attention either, and decided against bringing a companion in for her.  Baby was likely born early in 2002.  Vet check, distemper shot and ferretonin implant done on 12/21/07 (NH).  Baby did so well on her implant that she underwent adrenal surgery on 7/3/08 (LS).   Baby was found to have bilateral adrenal disease.  Her left adrenal gland was removed, however, the right was inoperable.  As a result, Baby will need ferretonin implants every four months for the remainder of her life.  She is happy at FVF and we have decided to let her live out her days here.  Baby went to the bridge on 4/22/09.  She past quietly sleeping in a snuggie.

Kristy Brink's Ferrets: Tweek, Artemus and Clyde

My Clyde, Clyders, CyCy August 19, 2005-March 8, 2009

Clyde is that special once in a lifetime soul weezil. He was the most amazing little weezil. I bought him in Oct of 2005 after I was injured in a riding accident. When we brought him home and put him in his new cage he looked at it, then us, then he danced for 15 minutes straight. He used to climb that cage and jump off with his arms spread wide thinking he was Superman. He would hit the ground dance and do it again. He was deaf-but he made up for it by being completely in tune to me. He learned how to roll over, beg, & circle no problem. He was a dancing machine.
Clyders was there for me through all my surgeries after the accident, and all my PT. He would always be ready to kiss my eyelid, dance, or cuddle to make me feel better. I lost my job, and my horse business because of the injury, but Clyde was always there. Even when his beloved (and my beloved) Tweek died he was there. Clyde's purpose as a weezil was to support me after my accident. One week after I finally began working with horses at full capacity again he became suddenly sick and died. His mission was accomplished. My life was back the way it was before the accident.
He loved Tweek, Garrison, & Arte his weezil friends. Tweek was his bonded friend. He loved fun and causing trouble. He loved his crunchies and his soupies. He also loved his Aunt Amy. She misses you Little Bulbous. I love you Clyde. You pulled me through some of my darkest hours. I wish I could see you dance when you realize you can hear, and when you see not only Arte again but your beloved Tweek. (I wish I could see you dance when you realize you can eat all you want. No more diets!) I miss you little CyCy. Thank you for all you have done for me.

This is Tweek's Tweek Oct 31st, 2004-Jan 8th 2007 My Baby Tweekers was my first ferret. We drove through a huge snow storm in January to pick him up from the West Green Bay Petco because I just had to have the boy with mittens. Tweek was a exceptionally bright ferret who taught me about owning and loving ferrets. He was a ferret proofing dismantling extraordinaire. He would look at any form of ferret proofing and study it until he found the weak spot. (ie where it was glued, or stapled on, a joint in the wood, a crack, etc. . .) He would then proceed to systematically destroy it. After he would dig a hole in, pry, or chew through he would escape or get into trouble. Upon being extricated or caught he would then look at me and the ferret proofing weak spot as to say, "Here's what you did wrong. . ." Tweekers even got into the cabinetry at the vets office in their "ferret proofed" room just to show them who's boss. He loved crunchies, Baby food, feet that dangled from the sofa so he could attack from a point of stealth. (That was until he pointed out the flaw in our sofa ferret proofing and the legs came off the sofa.) He adored our dog Boon and spent many hours biting his feet, chasing him, and dangling from Boon's lip. (Boon is a saint) His best buddy in the whole wide world was Clyde Ferret, and they were bonded so much Clyde, while friendly to them, has never opened his heart entirely to another ferret. Tweek died at the age of 2 years 3 months old from a slow moving GI lymphoma that was brought on by undiagnosed IBD. Tweek taught me ferrets can cause random destruction and havoc. That the ferret motto is "I do what I want!" But he taught me that ferrets are worth it all. They bring out your sense of humor and teach you how to live your life by living for the moment. I miss you Baby and will see you again. Thank you for all you taught me.

Artemus, Arte, Arte Fart, Fartimus, Arte Mouse was found wandering a highway in Waupaca in 2007. If you knew him that was totally understandable. Arte loved new places, especially if they were during a big journey. Arte Mouse was an independant weezil who got along with other ferrets and had a few people he loved, but his dream was always to strike out on his own. A few months after I adopted him from FVF he underwent exploratory surgery for a suspected blockage, it was then he was diagnosed with severe EGE , and he showed such strength and fought so hard he lived for 1 year and 3 months with a diagnosis that usually strikes down its foes in 6-8 months. He loved my mother's cats and he loved my brother. They could make him dance on his sickest days. He also loved adventure in the great outdoors and would snuggle up every morning in my bathrobe on my right side in the form of a weezil dounut. Arte I miss you, so does Garrison your weezil friend. I have an empty spot in my robe, and my heart but am so glad to chose to take me along on part of your big adventure. Enjoy your new adventure across the bridge where you are free, and can eat all the rice krispy bars you want and never have another tummy ache, acky meds, or another shot again. I love you Mouse.

Lobo 7/17/09 and Pancho 10/1/08
Lobo and his brother Pancho were rescued and we had the pleasure of being their forever home.  Even though Lobo and Pancho were pretty sick and in bad shape when they were rescued, they became healthy and funny editions to our family.  Lobo is shown in his drawer, a month before he crossed the rainbow bridge.  We are hopeful that Lobo's favorite sleep sacks and toys will help another ferret in Need. (yes, the ferrets here at FVF have been enjoying them).

Kevin and Celeste Droz's Ferrets:

Pan 9/20/09
I just thought I would let you know that Pan has crossed the bridge.
We did everything that we possibly could for him but I guess it was just his time.
Pan was a joy to have in our home as well as his "brother" Puck. He loved to go into the kitchen where he could be all by hisself and play and dance. Pan will be missed by mom and dad and by all his buddies I am sure.
 

Austin, Nox and Jade
Austin 10/9/08
I think by the time you read this Austin will be gone.
We came home this evening and let one crew out before we let Austin's crew out. When Celeste grabbed him out of the hammy he was rail thin , lethargic and had left a tarry poo in the cage. We tried to get him to take water by syringe as well as mush to no avail. Celeste held him all night and at one point he started having seizures. I just thought I would let you know. This is so hard to go through, thank God we ONLY have to go through it 23 more times.

Kevin

 

Nox

Nox was brought to our home along with "Jade" in July 2005. Although his mate( Jade) did not live with us very long ( 9 months ), Nox kept us happy for nearly 2 years. Nox quickly became our favorite fuzzy because of his gentleness, never getting into anything and most of all using the litter ALL the time. Nox loved his play time in the kitchen with his humans as the floor was slippery and he could do his "war dancing" without looking out for the others that would attack him. This was HIS time and he knew he was safe. Nox was closing in on B-Day number 7 but didn't quite make it. Nox will be missed by mom and dad as well as his 13 brothers and sisters.
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Nox had a heart problem ( murmer ) as well as the oncoming of adrenal problems and at the end we found out that his blood sugar level was real low. For the past couple of weeks we had him on a heart med. to see if that would help but it did not. Nox's condition worsened in the last week to the point that he wasn't using the litter the last few days
So we did the humane thing and ended his suffering. It is such a hard thing to do to let a loved one go but it was the right thing to do.
Thank you for letting us keep Nox in our home for the past 2 years. Kevin & Celeste Droz

Jade (Jaders) passed on 3/7/06. She was only with us for a short time after being adopted from FVF. She quickly became one of our favorite fuzzies. ( we have 8 ) Puck, Pan, Nox, (FVFs,) Jingles, Freddie, Socks, Angel and the newest baby Sassy. 
Although she was a very laid back ferret, she would still stand up to any of our ferrets. Jade was a 100% litter trained. If there were an "accident" we were sure it wasn't Jade. She is loved and will be missed.

Kevin & Celeste

Emma went to the bridge on 4/28/08.  She is missed by her brother Pinky and friend Meeko.  Note: Pinky joined Emma at the bridge a month or so later.
   

Bandit, Nemo Bear, Sleepy Sela and Trouble
Every moment with them is worth every tear, every heartache.
Tania Huycke-Phillips

Bandit (prev Bubba)
2001-2008
Fox Valley Ferret Alumni
When looking through photos of Bandit, my husband and I noticed we had a hard time finding ones of him solo. He was always with one of the ferrets. He was our first ferret's first ferret friend. That was just who he was. Bandit was everyone's buddy, every ferret's loyal friend. He followed, he joined in, he kept company, and he cuddled with. Bandit was the perfect middle man, the glue, the bridge between ferrets; he could play hard with the rough ones and comfort the mellow ones. Bandit wouldn't let any ferret be lonely. He was the quiet, steadfast support of the group, beginning to end.

Nemo Bear
1998-2008
Bear was a chunky guy I was going to transport to FVF, but he snuggled in my lap and in our hearts. He had a rough start with naïve owners, but moved into our family without causing a single ripple. Nemo fit in as if he had always belonged here. He was the first to greet us at the door and he enjoyed sleeping with us. He even won over little nieces and nephews who had never seen a ferret before. While he preferred the company of people, he was the guy every other ferret loved to cuddle with. He was warm and squishy both in appearance and personality. We could have a 100 Nemo Bears and would easily take 100 more.

Sleepy Sela
2001-3/31/08
Fox Valley Ferret Alumni
Sleepy Sela is now sleeping forever. She had gone down hill so fast and had become so unresponsive this weekend that we had her euthanized today. Poor girl.

"If tears could build a stairway
and memories, a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven,
and bring you home again" 

On March 5, 2009, Trouble, our first ferret and last of our old guys, passed away in my arms. He was over seven years old and although he had recently slowed down physically, his mental gears never slowed. Trouble would think, plan, and conduct nearly impossible physical feats while the other ferrets would watch in awe. Trouble did not know the meaning of impossible - the impossible was his personal challenge he would routinely outwit. I'm sorry, Trouble, but there is are some things that really are impossible, even for you: it is impossible for us to forget you, it is impossible for us to stop loving you, and it is impossible for another ferret to be anything like you.

Tessa and Jessica's ferrets: Ralphy and Sadie

RALPHY 8/2/06
My partner Jessica and I (Tessa) adopted 2 wonderful ferrets from you about 4 years and 3 months ago. We then came back and adopted a third ferret angel to add to our family, Ralphy.(3 years 1 month ago) We wanted to let you know that after a few months battleing Insulinoma, Ralphy passed away. As Ralphy started having episodes we started taking him to the vet where he was diagnosed. During the following months he was on prednisone and showed no signs of worsing. Unfortunatly on August 2nd I went to give him his morning dose of medicine and found that he was not doing well.
After taking him in for an emergency visit to the vet I was told that nothing more could be done for him as his lymph nodes were enlarged and there was a mass in his abdinmon. The cancer had moved extremly fast. Although he lived a short life (roughly 5 years) I know that during his time with us he was happy and will be missed.

Sadie 1/16/08
I just wanted to let you know that a little while back Sadie passed away in her sleep surrounded by her friends Ophelia and Merlin. She lived a very full life and was about 6 years 4 months young. It was getting harder for her to get around but none the less, when she wanted to the top of the cage or the very farthest reaches of the living room she got there!!

She will be greatly missed but I know she is in good paws with her brothers that have passed away before her, Ralphy and Toby.
 

Sadie is shown here sleeping with her friend Jerry the Cat.

Pookie became very ill and although she initially seemed to respond to treatment, being only 1 pound she had no reserves and went down hill very quickly.  She was euthanized on 11/24/08 when it became obvious that treatment was not helping and was only prolonging her dying.
Pookie arrived with her brothers Harriman and NipNap (still available for adoption) following the death of their owner.   Pookie is a small girl who was reportedly the dominant ferret in this group.   She likes to be rolled over during play and loves her hammocks.  She will respond to a shaker but doesn't like soft treats.  Based on the condition of her teeth she was likely born summer of 2004.  Vet check and distemper shots done on 7/11/08 (AMC).  Pookie has a dead canine removed, along with the tooth next to it.  She recovered nicely and eats fine.  FVF made the decision to remove her from adoption when she began dropping weight (she was always very tiny) and became frail in appearence.  She is still interested in getting out and exploring the shelter beyond the senior room, but does act like she may be older than originally thought/reported.  She will live out her days here with other senior ferrets to keep her company and lots of warm blankets and beds to curl up in. 

Sugar arrived for "ferret sitting" mid Oct.  Early in Nov he was surrendered by phone.  He had a very large, inoperable tumor in his belly and multiple cysts on his neck and head.  He was reportedly nearly nine years old.  During his time here, he repeatedly broke open the cysts on his neck.  He was treated with antibiotics and topical cream and would be good for a few days, then break them open again.  Since his age made him a very bad surgical candidate (and the belly tumor could not be removed in any case) the decision was made to euthanize him on 11/17/08 when the scratching became even worse and he let us know he was no longer comfortable or happy.

Gollum went to the bridge 10/13-nine days after arriving as a cruelty/neglect case on Oct 4, 2008.  He had multiple problems and spent several days in intensive care at one of our vets.  Unfortunately he didn't have what it took to recover.  Once he benefitted as much as he could from vet treatment he came back to FVF for comfort care.  He died warm and clean in his snuggy at about 8pm on Nov 13.  He deserved better.  His brother (Stinker) was in better condition when they arrived.  He is in the ferret room and may eventually be offered for adoption once he gains enough weight.

Big Boy (aka Biggie) went to the bridge on 10/5/08.  He and his sister (adopted 10/11/08) were surrendered when their owner moved.  Big Boy was just that, a big boy.  His spleen was somewhat enlarged, which isn't uncommon in older male ferrets.  He liked other ferrets.  He stold pens and the insoles out of shoes.  Here at FVF he had shown an interest in stealing the entire shoe-even trying to get them off the feet of FVF volunteers.  He also liked to chase the vacuum cleaner.  According to owner report, Biggie was born spring/summer of 2003.  Both these ferrets are good with the litter pan as long as it is kept clean and like cats.  Vet check and distemper shots done on 7/18/08 (AMC). 

Biggie is pictured here sleeping with Boots.  She liked using him as a pillow.

Sassy went to the bridge quietly and unexpectedly Aug 15, 2008.
Sassy arrived with four cage mates in early Feb 2007, following the break up of their owner's relationship.  The four other ferrets have been placed.  Sassy is energetic for his age and enjoy wrestling with other ferrets and his person.  In the course of this play he may sometimes nip, but it is not hard or mean, just overexcited.  Sassy was probably born late in 2003 or early in 2004, which made him the "odd man out" in the group.  He has adjusted well to other ferrets in the ferret room and we do not believe he will have trouble adjusting to a new ferret friend when the time comes.  Annual vet check and distemper done on 4/30/08. (NH).  Sassy had adrenal surgery done 8/23/07(LS).  During surgery a growth was found on his liver and removed-there is a chance it could grow back.  On 4/24/08 Sassy had an adrenal tumor on his right gland debulked (LS).  Because the tumor could not be completely removed, he had a ferretonin implant on 6/12/08 (LS).  On the upside, there was no sign of new growths on his liver at that time.  Because Sassy has inoperable right adrenal involvement and will need ferretonin implants every four months for the remainder of his life, the decision has been made to make him a permanent resident.

Gizmo (Gizzy)
Spent over a year at FVF before going to the bridge on 5/15/08.  She had recently undergone adrenal surgery and was recovering well at first.  roughly two weeks after surgery she started having difficulty and on 5/14 she was taken to in to the vet since she needed more supportive care than we could provide.  X-rays showed what appeared to be fluid around her lungs, but when the vet attempted to aspirate the fluid nothing came out.  An ultrasound was done and it was discovered that the "fluid" was actually a solid mass.  Because this fast growing tumor could not be removed, and it was effecting Gizzy's ability to breathe properly, the kindest thing we could do was euthanize her.  Gizmo was surrendered after the other ferrets in her household all passed away of old age.  She has been at FVF over a year now.  She is happier with other ferrets and MUST not be an "only".  Gizmo sometimes plays a little too rough with people, this was likely caused by her former owner playing roughly with her.  Based on vet records transferred to FVF, Gizmo had a vaccine reaction, but she'd been given both a rabies and distemper shot on that occasion.  She was given a "pre-shot" the first time FVF had her distemper done (2007), and had no reaction to her most recent distemper shot, done on 4/30/08-even without a preshot.  Based on records, she was born in Feb or Mar of 2003.  Gizmo will nip at faces-it is best not to put her up by your face.  Gizmo had adrenal surgery on 4/24/08 (LS).  She is ready to meet potential adopters and will be able to go to her forever home after about 10 days.

Frodo

Frodo came to us from a pet store with his sister Arwen. He was a wonderfully dispositioned ferret. Dawn loved him especially. He contracted ECE early in his life and barely survived it. He made a full recovery though,and continued to be a blessing to our family. He never caused any problems and even when he was dying of lymphoma,he was always a sweet, loving animal. We were crushed when we were advised that putting him down was the best thing for him by our vet. He was laid to rest in our back yard by his compadre Spongbob. It is so sad to lose one of these loving creatures. We wish they could live forever. God rest your soul Frodo. We will love you and forever miss you. You were a wonderful addition to our lives.

Chris and Dawn
 

Rikki (Lulu) 10/24/06

Click the picture to enlarge

Earlier this evening, after a hard 3 weeks of constant battling of her newly discovered juvenile lymphoma, "Ricki", who we renamed, "LuLu" and I called "Sugar" was put to rest.  I just wanted to let you know how much of a gift she was in our lives even thought it was only for a short 6 months.
About 3 weeks ago, I noticed her lymph nodes had become swollen under her armpits. Lulu went about her daily activities and acted happy and normal, and yet unfortunately it took 3 different veterinarians to figure out what was wrong with her.  She completely ignored any sign of discomfort until the very end thus fooling the doctors  because LuLu would never complain, she was that patient and sweet.  I knew better, though.  She began to lose weight very quickly despite changing her diet to a high protein diet that wouldn't feed the huge tumors rapidly filling her chest cavity.   After two weeks breathing became a challenge because there was increasingly sparser room for her little lungs to operate, yet she still didn't complain and tried her hardest to play and love us and our cats.  Finally last night, RJ and I brought her into the emergency room, tired of being told to just wait for the prednisone to work, and were planning on putting her down.  We were given a little hope at 4 am when the emergency doc. pulled out 10 cc of fluid from her chest cavity, thinking perhaps the built up fluid was moreso the problem than the tumors.  Another chest x-ray this morning showed we were wrong, tumors everywhere.  I consulted the oncologist at the UW veterinary school since I am a first year vet student and she was honest and told me prognosis was not good at all.
When we returned to the emergency clinic tonight she perked up in her incubator when she saw us.  The entire staff knew it was time and were all commenting on how sweet of a ferret she had been to take care of, giving kisses, as usual, and always wanting to be near a person if possible.  It was the hardest thing to let go of such a caring and loving 2 year old.
It is so hard to think that only 3 weeks ago she was happy and healthy, but at least I know now she is okay.  Lulu was a thrill at home.  She loved baths, wrestling with the cats, stealing little pieces of food, and her favorite was playing hide and seek behind any object she could find.  Her little eyes lit up when the yogie container shook each day and she longed to make RJ and I laugh with her goofy noises and stellar moves!!  Not to mention she tucked herself away in my bed every night after exhaustion from play and just hated having to go sleep in the cage!!  What a great friend, I miss her so much!!  As a first time ferret owner I am forever changed by this friend and will be a ferret owner for life.  Hopefully someday soon another one will walk into my life, yet never fill her pawprints!!

BEAR 9/2/06
My name is Rebecca,  I adopted Bear and Odin a few years ago.  I wanted to let you know Bear passed away yesterday.  I also wanted to thank you for the opportunity to get to know this wonderful furry friend.  Because of Fox Valley Ferret, I had four great years with a very loving, very sweet ferret.  We will miss him very much.

JEWEL  7/10/06
"Precious" Jewel is what she truly was.  She was a courageous little girl who lived most of her life (5 years) with a disability.  At a young age, she suffered a head injury resulting in brain damage.  But disability or not, Jewel was your typical "fuzz butt".  You would have a hard time convincing her that anything was different about her, or to try and limit her ferret antics.  Some of which were;  attacking the squeaky toy and my hand, trying to climb the couch, chasing me, digging in the bean bin, climbing her stool so she could lick water from the bathtub rim, and when she was finally tuckered out - climbing into the bottom dresser drawer to rest up for her next round of play.
There was one thing however, that was very different about her, something very special.  It was the way she weaseled her way so deep and large into my heart that I have never loved a ferret as much as her.  In my eyes, she was always a special little girl that never quite grew up,and was always my little "kit".  I was her mom for a year and a half and truly feel blessed to have had her in my life.  Because of her, I was able to feel a love I have never experienced before.  And it equally hurts for her to be gone from my life.  I will forever miss you and love you Jewel.
Mom.

Elton (5/9/06, probable stroke) came to FVF after arriving at BAHS as a stray. He is a nice ferret, very mellow. He arrived as single, but adapted well to the other ferrets here. He has become very attached to a slightly older female ferret here and would probably like to stay with her, although he may do just as well in a home with another mild tempered ferret. He arrived slightly underweight, but we believe he will shape up to be a beautiful boy. He was probably born early to mid 2004. Vet check and distemper done on 3/27/06 (AMC).

Rex is a beautiful albino who arrived on 3/7/04 with another ferret who was euthanized on 3/15/04 due to liver cancer.  He was probably born early to mid 1999.  Rex likes attention.  He is very sweet and has lived with a cat and a very young child.  Because he was with another ferret his entire life he should not be considered as an only.  Vet check and distemper done on 3/9/04.

Blizzard Man , who passed away 12/03/2005, was a very loved ferret with lots of ferret friends. He had his own little bed that he slept in everyday. He loved his kitten food and plastic bag. He left behind Persistance (his true companion), Oreo, Chicken, Spicy, Diamond and Passions. And of course Mom and Dad! We love you Blizzard and we miss you so much, your life ended to short and we wish you would have stayed with us longer. You were my Make-Out Buddy who gave the best kisses. I still want to look in the ferret room and see him sleeping in his round bed inside the cage. We miss you Blizzard, and someday we will meet at Rainbow Bridge. We love you!

Mommy and Daddy
(Dolly and Matt)

 

Bob and Amanda's ferrets: Fiona, Panic and Chaos

Panic
Panic was laid to rest on 10/15/05. Panic was very special to us and will always be our princess. We had many happy times together and we'll cherish those memories forever. No one could ever take her place in our hearts. I miss the cuddling in my sweatshirt sleeve, and all the naps she used to take there. We miss her war dances and princess kisses. We're sad to have lost you Miss Panic, but we know that you're back with Chaos (RIP) and the two of you are very happy together. We love and miss you very much! Love always and forever Mama (Amanda), Daddy (BoB), and Chief (Max) who misses your cuddles very much.

Chaos Feb 2001-Aug 2005

Chaos was laid to rest on 8/23/05. Our time together was precious and we wish it didn't have to end. She brought happiness to our lives and will always have a special place in our hearts. We will never forget you and all the wonderful times we've shared. We love you Chaos! Daddy (BoB), Mama (Amanda), Panic, and Chief.

"Sometimes an animal becomes more than a pet, they become a part of you. That is probably how i can best describe chaos. Chaos came to us at a very difficult time in my life and became like my best friend. I may have other ferrets but noone will ever fill the space in my heart that she left empty. She is loved and very missed by her life time partner Panic. And her playmate Chief who she watched over while he was sick. Her mom amanda who loved her very much. And me her broken hearted friend. we'll miss you. She is preceded in death by her good frien fiona. Who she is now resting with looking over the shore of lake michigan. May god watch over them.".
bob symitzzek

Fiona was laid to rest on 3/9/05. Her time was short but she left a love in our hearts that will never be forgotten. We know you're in a better place now where the treats are never-ending and there's all the toys you could imagine. We'll miss you and love you forever!    Amanda, BoB, Chaos, Panic, and Chief (formerly Max)

RIP beautiful, gentle Luca.

Luca: lighter ferret above

After a long stay at FVF, Luca was finally adopted into his forever home with his brothers. His new family gave him lots of love and attention, but Luca never became the active playful ferret he should have been.
On 8/29/05 his new vet discovered a large tumor. On 8/30/05 the tumor (described as the size of a duck egg) was removed. He lived through surgery, but despite the best efforts of his vet, including transfusions, the strain was too great and he died later that afternoon.
Luca was a special soul. He will always be loved and remembered here at FVF and by his forever family.

Stinky (crossed the bridge due to cancer 8/05) was surrendered to Bay Area Humane on 7/28/05 because the owners no longer had enough time for him. Although he is described as "extremely nice" by FVF's halfway house, he is also reportedly suffering the effects of living in inappropriate and dirty conditions. According to the halfway house, he is missing all the fur on his chest and belly, probably from being kept in wood shavings. He also has a bad case of ferret acne on his tail. The fur on his back is reported as healthy and fluffy. He was reportedly born early in 2000.

On 4/28/09 FVF received an unsigned email from a woman stating she was the person who surrendered Stinky to BAHS.  She states that the reason he was surrendered was not that they did not have time for him-rather she states that when he became seriously ill her veterinarian recommended surrendering him to BAHS so that he could go into rescue.  She said all his vet records had been provided (FVF did not receive any records with Stinky).  She denies that he lived in dirty or inappropriate conditions and states that her teenagers cleaned Stinky's cage weekly.  She wrote that she did not know anything about acne on his tail and that they used the bedding their vet recommended.   She ended by asserting that Stinky was loved and cared for prior to his surrender to BAHS and that they took pictures of him (as well as their other pets).

Rest in Peace Nomad

Nomad went to the bridge on 4/11/05. He was a wonderful ferret whose IBD kept him from being adopted. It didn't matter though-within a short time he had toodled his way so far into my heart I am not sure I could have given him up anyway.

Nomad came to FVF after being left along a roadway in his cage.  He is very sweet and likes to be held and cuddled.  It was recently discovered that he enjoys being in the grass on his harness.  He has a limp, which our vet believes to be the result of an old injury; he doesn't seem bothered by it.  He prefers his own cage, but will occasionally interact with older, mellow ferrets.  He was probably born mid 1999 to early 2000.  He had his vet check and distemper shot on 6/29/04.  Nomad developed chronic diarrhea that failed to respond to treatment.  Cancer was suspected and Nomad was removed from the adoption list.  When Nomad's condition remained stable for a length of time, exploratory surgery was done on 9/14/04.  The surgery revealed no sign of cancer and his spleen was removed at that time.  Biopsies of the spleen and intestines were clear.  Nomad is doing well on a special diet but will always have Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Peanut : we'll miss you..

Midnight passed on 5.25.04 while under our care.  We'll miss you...

Tennia (5/10/03)

Here is Tiffany's story in her own words...  click on the page below to see the larger version:

Fireball (9/28/02) passed on due to a respiratory problem.  Freak and Fireball had been adopted last year, and returned because the new owner of the apartment building refused to allow any pets. Freak is still adoptable and would do okay as an "only" since right now she is attacking other ferrets who try to cuddle with her.

TULIP  5/11/02. 

Tulip arrived unspade and in active heat.  Following bloodwork she was successfully spade and descented on April 25.  Just as she was starting to recover from being in heat and her surgery, she came down with ECE.  Because she was already debilitated, she had no reserves to fight off the virus.  Despite aggressive treatment, she became our first ECE fatality.  She will be missed by her cagemate Daffodil, who recovered from her own ECE.

MISCHA

Today Mischa joined Hildy at the Bridge (3/5/02).  He will always have a special place in my heart.

Alex died at his home Wednesday night (Feb 6, 2002) following a brief illness. He was a great little guy and will be very much missed by his adoptive family.

Alex (medium sable) is 4 years old and arrived at FVF on 10/19/01. He was underwent surgery for an intestinal and stomach blockage on 10/23/01. The blockage turned out to be a huge fur ball. He recovered nicely. Alex is very sweet and is used to a home with a child. He would like a home where he has a kid of his own again. Alex definitely wants to be an only ferret. Alex had his distemper on 11/13/01.

WHISKERS

Whiskers .  He had been withdrawn from being adoptable because his tumor was inoperable. We'll miss you.

SHILOH.

Shiloh past away 12/27/01 as the result of ulcers which she developed very rapidly over the holiday weekend.  All possible treatment was provided, but Shiloh was a very tiny ferret and this worked against her recovery.  She was a very sweet ferret and will be missed. 

Shiloh is a dark sable female, probably between 4 and 5 years old.  She is very sweet and is open to sharing her life with other ferrets.  She arrived at Bay Area Humane as a stray and was turned over to FVF after her holding period.  She is playful and seems to be in good health aside from a head cold, probably the result of her brief period of homelessness.  She got her distemper shot 12/3/01.

BUDDY (L) 

Buddy (albino) succumbed to cancer on January 7, 2002.  He will be missed...