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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2012 21:38:26 GMT -5
Sorry for your loss, but raw feeding had nothing to do with it.
The very first time I offered a live mouse to my girl Fiona, she killed it immediately. She was raised from birth on kibble by Marshall and she hadn't learned to eat meat yet. It's an instinct the ferrets have, some have it stronger than others, and some have to learn it. They learn it from experience hunting, not from eating meat. But the base instinct is always there.
I think you're doing the right thing by looking for a new home for them. If you can't forgive them, you can't. This isn't something other people can just change your mind about. You can't logic your way out of this, it is a VERY strong emotional thing. I'm not saying I agree with the way you feel, but this is your life not mine, it happened to you not me, if you feel this way then you have to do the right thing and find them a new home. I respect that.
I also think we should remember any comments that have been made were made by people who either want to help, or are worried about what's best for the ferrets, or both. I don't think anyone had bad intentions. I hope we can keep that in mind.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2012 10:33:21 GMT -5
I'm so sorry for your loss, that is a terrible thing to have to go through. I wish I could help you out, as I would love to have another ferret (or two) but I won't be able to get any more animals until after christmas holidays. I also don't have the freezer space to keep up raw feeding at the moment so I don't think I'd be the ideal candidate anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2012 22:07:35 GMT -5
I'm having such a difficult time with this at the moment. A woman called me earlier saying she was interested in them and would have no problem continuing with their raw diet, but as we got to talking, she mentioned she had a 3 lb chihuahua, that was a no go right there. Then she mentioned that they were for her son and that cuddling and being friendly was in their nature, I proceeded to tell her what ferrets were really like and that they were time consuming pets. Needless to say she said that actually put her off from looking for a ferret for her son.
I just received an email from a woman interested in the girls who just lost her ferret to DKD (I think thats what it was I forget :/). She spent alot of time and money on surgery and recovery but said her girl just got worse. Then she said she would love to continue feeding the girls raw but that she doesn't know anything about it so I sent her the cheat sheet I made outlining the requirements and I also sent her a full months sample schedule. She sounds like a good woman, hopefully she can tell me a little bit about herself and their environment as well, she also seems to be financially stable so I think this could be the person!
I really do hate to do this but I cannot look at them still. My ex's mother said she couldn't sleep because she was thinking about how much Peter suffered. I havn't been sleeping well either. I am going to miss the girls but I feel this is the best move for both myself and them considering all family and friends want them gone, they all miss Peter and wish him well on the other side.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2012 22:13:33 GMT -5
I hope it works out for you -- I really do.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2012 22:33:05 GMT -5
I think if that's how you feel, rehoming is the best option. I wish you all of the luck in the world <3
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2012 23:51:11 GMT -5
I'm curious to know why you the 3# chihuahua was an issue? Bc you think they might attack the dog? I realize there were other factors that made it sound like the wrong placement but the concern about the dog is my concern. I have 3 tiny ones and they often share the room with the ferrets when they are out. Nobody seems all that interested in each other. My female ferret tries to play with one chi, in particular and he gets mad at her and gives her a grrr and that is the end of that. They are not that small, closer to 5 lbs but tiny just the same. I hope I am not being naive about the blend of small dog and weasel. Maybe you can ask your family to keep their thoughts to themselves, since hearing anything else negative is not really productive. Regardless, I hope the perfect forever home comes along soon. Sending good energy for the right outcome.
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Post by Sherry on Aug 13, 2012 23:59:28 GMT -5
Holtzchick- I have to ask this, I am sorry. But are you SURE the ferrets killed the rabbit? Don't get me wrong- from what you've said, they recognized him as a food source. But I had rabbits for years as a kid. They had an outside hutch. And whenever a predator got near them for the purpose of harm, we knew because you could the screaming all the way indoors. Is it possible you may be blaming them when your bun passed from something else? I do know rabbits can die suddenly.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2012 0:10:39 GMT -5
Maybe the ferrets scared Peter to death? Is that possible?
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Post by Sherry on Aug 14, 2012 0:15:16 GMT -5
Being in proximity to them could well do that.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2012 1:27:35 GMT -5
She stated that they killed and ATE them...so maybe he died of scaredness and they realized that he was 'food' to them..but either way..
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2012 1:35:12 GMT -5
It might her feel better if Peter didnt suffer.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2012 2:12:41 GMT -5
Yes. i do agree, rabbits do just up and die(from the lack of care from my sister to her rabbits, i'm surprised ours aren't dead!) He could have had an unbalanced diet, could have been old(not sure how old he is), could have had a cecal issue, lack of good bacteria, lack of good fibers(constant TIMOTHY[not alfalfa] hay?), how old was he weaned? had he used the bathroom in the last few hours(was he litter box trained) was he acting himself? eating normal amounts? what were his stools like?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2012 6:54:29 GMT -5
laurel-i also have a 3# poodle. my they have never tried to eat each other.
i have also raised bunnies before, it dosnt take much to scare a bunny to death!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2012 8:16:53 GMT -5
I am truly certain that they attacked him, there was fur about the room like a chase had gone on and in the closet there was blood smeared all over the back wall.... I am not over reacting, I know how my girls are. I have a 7 lb bichon in the home and I have seen Pippa lunge at him. I didn't raise Pippa I bought her at a year and a half. I have no control over her and she seems to have set a bad example on Pandora. The 3 lb Chihuahua very much concerns me. In fact if anyone else ever had to go through what I just went through because of my negligence I would feel 100 times worse than I do now as well. I know you are all ferret lovers, I am not forcing opinions on anyone or saying that you should all get rid of your ferrets, just stating what happened with mine and trying to find a good home for my girls on here.
Peter was as healthy as could be, vet checked regularly with balanced greens and vitamins in his water daily. He was shiny happy and healthy and he was used to being near the ferrets because I had them in the same room for a long time. That was not my fault, my family is uncontrollable, and there is no way that I am able to have them keep their comments to themselves. I believe I once made a post in the chat section about them, staying with them was only temporary. I'd been through a lot in the past couple of months and this has only added to my plate.
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Post by Sherry on Aug 14, 2012 9:04:18 GMT -5
Okay, I just wanted to mention it as a possibility since rabbits are very loud when attacked. And although I know you are going to have to rehome regardless, to hopefully help you emotionally somewhat.
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