Anyone else have water ferrets?

[Jaclynn]

Is thatcher going?

[moonfall]

I don't think I will take Thatcher. He would make the trip hard on everyone and I can't handle two leashed ferrets at once. Plus, he probably wouldn't enjoy it like Bode will.

He's also not conditioned for such things. He is being trained to be a good house pet and tolerable for short outings. (he was great at the vet the other day) He may never be stable, calm, and brave enough for that much activity.

He will stay home where he's nice and safe in the air conditioned house. He can play and do his own thing while I'm away.

Where Bode will have the time of his life I truly think Thatcher might end up anxious and confused. That's not fair and it also isn't fair to make everyone else put up with him. He also isn't in very good physical condition. Bode is a swimmer, a runner. He's eating CORE and active ALL THE TIME with me. He has adjusted to short periods of heat as long as he has water, he can drink from water bottles, comes when called, is clean and well mannered, knows how to potty outside, walks nicely on a leash and most importantly LOVES to go places.

Thatcher is the opposite. He's smelly, bites, has vision issues that do make him a bit nervous, is deaf (if something happened he would be GONE), he is overweight, he cant be trusted to potty in appropriate places, he is a dreadful cage rager who will have us up ALL NIGHT if we take him camping, he'd fuss and screech, he can't be caged with Bode, he doesn't know or like dogs and would hurt our dogs, hasn't been trained to walk politely on the harness yet, but will wear it.

It isn't fair to anyone to take him along. Bode will enrich the trip for everyone, honestly. He's cute and lots of fun, and today we were at a friend's house and he was chasing a pair of puppies around the yard without a harness. He found his way under the deck then wandered right back out to see me. Everyone was laughing at how cute and well behaved he is- this ferret is an ANGEL.

I could never trust Thatcher that way. He just doesn't have the personality for it..or for long car rides, etc. I could go on for years. He wouldn't have fun.

[noahsark]

I wish Noah loved water! He flips out when he accidentally steps in a puddle he didn't see! That sounds like so much fun!

May I ask- what did you have to do to get Bode trained as a service animal? Noah already comes with me almost 24/7 (I work at a vet and he has his own personal cage there), and I think the idea is fabulous for people who need it. It's funny how some animals are cut out for it and some are not. Noah comes when he's called (by squeaky toy), and is so very good with kids. It'd be interesting to see what kind of requirements they have for making them service animals.

Please post many pictures!

[mustelidmusk]

My sweet Tomichi girl ( ) was my "water weasel".
She loved to go spelunking in the toilet
The worst part is that she could get under the closed lid
so I had to put something heay on the closed lid so she could not get inside. Ileft a couple inches in the tub for her amusement. She would get a full tub under supervision.

God how I miss her - and my Shaman too

-jennifer

[jessrocks]

Jinx is not real fond of water haha, he always gives me a "how dare you" look when I try to get him in it haha.

What exactly is a rosemary wash for?

[moonfall]

Bode ended up not getting to camp with us (not my decision..someday I'm taking him though).

In terms of certification nothing is required. There is not a certification that is universal in the US. The requirements are basically that he helps me and that he doesn't act like a jerk. I gave him basic manners training and then we learned public places manners and he learned to actively comfort me when I go into panic or am close to it.

He fits the bill, so he gets to be a service animal. Do a lot of research too, the "recommended" service animals no longer allows for anything but dogs but many cities and states have not changed laws about it.