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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 6:39:55 GMT -5
I am one of those people that is always committed to something no matter how tough times are but recently, something has happened in my home involving an accident with my other animals that is just unforgivable in my eyes. I am forced to re-home my two girls Pippa and Pandora since I don't think I can ever look at them the same way ever again. I know accidents do happen and that precautions must always be taken, but they killed and ate my poor rabbit Peter Cartier and now I will never get him back I just cannot bear to think about it... I have already posted the girls on Kijiji but feel that perhaps someone here will be able to take them. I am asking $200.00 for them. They are about 1 year apart, Pippa is about 1 year 10 months and Pandora is about 8 months. They come with their vet papers and they are up to date on all shots and would come with any and all accessories I have for them also including their 3 tier ferret nation cage, cage liners, hammocks and all the meat I just recently purchased and portioned out for them. They are very sweet girls, I however do not recommend them going to a home with other animals at all. They are however very people and child friendly. Please feel free to contact me via personal message or by email at holtzchick@hotmail.com. I am located in Mississauga Ontario, the Greater Toronto Area. Thanks. Michelle.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 10:23:55 GMT -5
Of course they killed a rabbit if they had the opportunity- they are ferrets and rabbits are the prey that they have been bred to hunt for thousands of years. It is not their fault- they did not rationalise or moralise the issue. They acted on their instincts, and whilst I am very sorry for the loss of your rabbit I don't think you should punish the ferrets for behaving like ferrets. I have a pet bunny also and if my ferrets ever got hold of him it would be the end of him, but it would be my fault for not providing adequate protection for him, not theirs.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 10:37:12 GMT -5
I do agree with what has already been said, HOWEVER, I don't think Holtzchick is trying to punish her wee girlies, she simply is trying to find them a home where they can be treated well. I do understand how you feel you may never be able to love and respect your ferts anymore, and if this is the case, a new home may be better for them, a place where someone CAN love them and care for them as their own babies. But, I would also say to think about this before you act and find them a new home. Maybe you are just really hurt and depressed right now and can't see past the pain, but there may be a chance that you can love your girlies again. It is all up to you though and how you feel and making sure these sweet fuzzums have the best home they can.
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Post by Heather on Aug 11, 2012 10:42:35 GMT -5
I'm so sorry for the loss of your wee rabbit, Peter. I will light a travelling candle for the wee one. Gentle journey sweet bunny. I have sat here and warned people many times that placing prey with a carnivore is a mistake. This must have been horrible to come home to Have you thought of turning your wee ones over to Randy at Ferret Aid....she certainly doesn't need another pair as she's in financial straights anyway but if you donate some money ($200?) to the cause she may be able to take your two wee girlies. I would offer to take them but I'm full. I'm presently caring for 5 very sick ferrets and I can't afford two more, even if they're healthy. They're not killers, your two wee girlies, you know. They were only doing what they've been bred to do and if you've been raw feeding what they've been taught to do. They don't understand "pets" they only understand prey/food. My ferrets hunt the cats all the time and the cats can defend themselves (I cringe every time I hear of small kittens being placed as play toys to ferrets). I watched a ferret go at a box of mice that I had sitting in the bathroom waiting transport. If I had allowed it he would have got in and no, he's not a ferret I trust to hunt but he would have slaughtered every last mouse. I cannot impress enough these wee creatures are carnivores, just like cats, dogs. These animals are not meant to live harmoniously with their prey. Yes, some do but in a million years can I advocate mixing these animals. I've heard again and again how this person has their ferrets living with their pet rats, mice...other rodents..their rabbits. Ferrets are born hunters. You can take the ferret and put it in a cage. You can cage it's prey but it only provides a barrier that is meant to be overcome. I'm not lecturing you. What's done is done. You've lost a pet...actually you've lost 3 because you're now going to dispose of 2 little ones who were actually doing what they're supposed to. I can't even imagine the grief. I'm just hoping that others will learn from your misfortune. I'm sorry that you're doing this. I hope that you find your little ones a good home and that in your grief you don't just give them to just anyone. I'm terribly sorry that you had to find out the true nature of a ferret in this manner. I'm just surprised that it doesn't happen more often. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 10:45:24 GMT -5
Thanks for posting that here, where there are good people that would be dedicated to your ferrets care.
Sorry to hear about the incident with your bunny. I also have a bunny, birds and 6 ferrets in my home. And a dog and several cats. There is always a risk of this type of accident when mixing predators and prey animals.
Your story hopefully will help people be more aware of this risk, and Peter Cartier's sad story should make those of us with this combination of pets take a second look at our practices and what controls we have in place.
This is not a time for judgement, we do not know the details of your incident and whatever it is it does not matter-this could happen to anyone and each individual handles the emotional asppect of it differently.
I am hoping you thought about the rehoming first and not in the emotional moments, there may be a chance you would regret the loss of your two ferrets in the future. Best of luck to you and to your ferrets.
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Post by allie516 on Aug 11, 2012 10:47:04 GMT -5
I do not agree with people asking why she had them around her other animals. The point is it happened. So do not question her in her hard time. Its like saying if a baby died in bed with you. Why would you snuggle your child in bed. Things happens. She wants what is best for them. She is looking for help not for people to question her choices or decisions.
I see the few who comments have not been on here long. But I will say. You are new. You may not know what to say or what not to say. So unless you are interested in helping her. Please do no comment. Thanks.
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Post by allie516 on Aug 11, 2012 10:49:33 GMT -5
I am almost 12 hours away otherwise I would consider helping. Im sorry.
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Post by Heather on Aug 11, 2012 10:52:15 GMT -5
There are a couple of people on list who are in that general area. Unfortunately, I'm not sure they're in a position to take a pair. Lets hope that someone on list can grab up these wee girlies. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 11:04:33 GMT -5
If you were feeding them raw then why would you have them around a type of prey that they hunt and eat? I'm not trying to add insult to injury, but I'm just a bit baffled. Ferrets should never be allowed near other pet rodents or rabbits or birds. If one is out then the other pet should be caged and blocked off from reach. Never at the same time. It's not the wee girls fault for following their instincts. Ferrets can be great with dogs and cats, but never allow them near prey animal that you keep as a pet. I would expect that you keep your dogs and cats away from your ferrets then since ferrets are "prey" to them. I'm so sorry holtzchick, I know it was truly an accident. As a rabbit/ferret owner myself this hits me close to home Try not to make any rash decisions regarding your ferrets, your still grieving over Peter Cartier. I'd like to talk to you more about how it happened if you'd be willing. Just looking out for my rabbits Anthony and Fonzy. Please PM me if you'd rather discuss it privately
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 13:10:14 GMT -5
I have a ton of prey animals as pets, from a bird to rats and mice. A lot of people keep both.
I'm so sorry about your bunny.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 15:16:35 GMT -5
A big round of applause to the people who immediately dogpiled and shamed Holtzchick when she *just* lost a pet--proud of yourselves? Holtzchick, I am so sorry this happened. I can understand how you might not be able to look at your girls the same way again, but I do hope you give it some time as other people have said. I wish I could help but Remus has been so ferret-aggressive in the past that I don't know if he would change his ways, and my room isn't big enough for another cage.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 16:53:36 GMT -5
I am sorry for your loss, but please try to find it in your heart to forgive your wee ones, even if just for long enough for them to find another home. They were doing what ferrets have been bred for centuries to do, and it's impossible to go against instinct.
Requiring that they do not go to a home with other animals is probably unwise. Rabbits are prey animals to ferrets, dogs are not (nor are other ferrets.) One of my dogs killed a neighbor's cat that got into our yard once, however that also happens to be the dog that adores the ferrets and will sleep cuddled up with them. I would never leave them in the same room alone together because of my dogs' sheer size and power, but they can and do peacefully co-exist safely. Working in pit bull rescue, whenever we have an animal that cannot be placed with other animals, it makes it 10,000 times more difficult to place them in a home.
If I were near you, as others have said, I would take your wee ones. However, I am on the complete opposite side of the continent.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 16:57:10 GMT -5
I wish I could help...but I'm in Vermont and my parents have forbidden me getting more ferrets (even if I lose one, I am not allowed to get another ). I am very disappointed in those who posted here against holtzchick. You just lost a pet and your decision about your babies is your decision to make -- not ours. And it's not our judgement call, either. I know there are others on here who have ferrets and rabbits, or ferrets and other animals considered their prey. Stop judging. I hope you can take time to find them a good home. Again, I wish I could help.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 18:10:05 GMT -5
Thank you all for your kind words. Honestly, the incident happened last night. I had let Peter out of his cage (as I had always done) and I went down stairs and was caught up with visitors. I was cleaning the fuzzies cage earlier and I guess the blanket on the liner was a little thick because the latch on one of the doors must not have gone all the way. Then I don't really know the details. All I know is that I went into the room later that evening and there was fur everywhere. I immediately got out of the room and ran downstairs in tears. I had to get a friend to go into the room and pick up the remains. He said they ate away most of him and I had him put any remaining fur etc into a box so that we can give him a proper burial. I can't look at my girls after that. It was an accident but every time I look at them I feel anger, loathing and ultimate sadness. I cried and cried. Peter had always been there for me, he had been through countless moves with me and had always been a timid bunny yet I managed to earn his trust. He trusted me, with everything, he trusted it would be okay. It breaks my heart that I could not protect him from this. It makes me feel like I failed. I have posted them on here and on Kijiji not in the hopes to get rid of the girls and give them to just anyone but to find them a home where they will bring joy and a new found love to someone. Knowing what happened to Peter makes me dislike them even though it isn't there fault. Is that so horrible of me to do? It's human nature. If I were so horrible I would have lashed out on them, instead I would like to find an appropriate home for them (one where the home will be thoroughly screened and have knowledge on feeding a balanced raw diet). I thought about giving them to ferret aid but I can wait, I myself cannot bear to go into that room anymore (even though all my stuff is in the closet, clothing, shoes, books etc.) and have friends and family taking care of the girls. It was a horrible accident but it did happen and there is nothing I can do about it. Even family that wasn't fond of Peter such as my sister cried and cried and they all want to get rid of the girls. I've defended them because it really was not their fault although it's very difficult for me at this point. Again thank you all for your posts (even maybe the not so nice one(s), frankly I am surprised) I'm hoping to find the girls a good home.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 18:34:20 GMT -5
Holtz, I am so sorry for your loss. I understand how terrible it is to feel like you've failed a pet. I have made mistakes of my own in the past and the pet is the one who had to pay the price. Not me, when it should have been me. All you can do is vow to be a better owner next time, be the absolute best you can be and try and learn from your mistake.
I hope that in your heart you can forgive your girls, but I understand if you can't. some scars just don't heal. Just be sure of what you are doing when you do it, so that there are no regrets later in life. you may find that you will come to miss them, or you may not. If you end up having to rehome them and can't find a suitable home for them, we may be able to take them in here. It would be a heck of a long drive, but it would not be the first time I've driven it. I hope you can find someone locally who will love them like you do.
And most importantly, forgive you girls- but also forgive yourself. That is the biggest part of it.
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