I too am a grown man and find myself with tears in my eyes after reading
your one paragraph.



I am very glad your cancer is in remission.  May it remain that way forever.



We are so sorry to read about the loss of Weezy, your best friend and
survivor supporter.  I hope he is playing happily and healthily now with our
beloved little man "Blizzard" whom we buried on 8/7/08.  May they both be
waiting for us.



So very glad you got that last moment kiss from him.



We are so very sorry.



Mark Sonder, CSEP

Chief Entertainment Officer

Mark Sonder Productions, Inc.



+1-540-636-1640

www.marksonderproductions.com



author,  <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471263060?tag2=marksonderpro-20>
Event Entertainment and Production (Wiley c. 2004)



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From: AmericanFerretAssociation@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:AmericanFerretAssociation@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Robert
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2011 5:41 PM
To: AmericanFerretAssociation@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AFA Ferret] I lost my best friend today.





I lost my best friend today. I'm sitting here writing this with tears in my
eyes, a grown man. 7 years ago, I was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma, a
Cancer of the Kidney. Not just one Kidney was diseased, both were. It was
like hitting a wall, I was scared, the Doctors told me I was in for a long
hard fight. My youngest son found this runt of a ferret, he was returned to
the Pet Store and couldn't be sold again. They would have to put him down if
nobody adopted him. I admit it was an adjustment, but once I held him all
apprehension was gone. Weezy, he was a Ham, I have laughed through tears
many times at his antics. Through losing a kidney, through Chemo, Radiation,
Weezy was always there to make me smile. He made it bearable, I'm alive
today because of this little bundle of energy.
3 years ago I adopted 2 female Ferrets, Sara, and Jasmine. I had went into
remission and I'm a 4 year survivor. Weezy and the girls got along great,
slept together, ate together, played together. A little more than a year ago
I took them all in to the Vet for a check-up, Weezy was slowing down a
little, and sleeping more. He also started to develop cataracts in both
eyes. The Doctor noticed a lump below his rib cage, not big, but he wanted
to get a ct scan. The scan came back, Weezy had Cancer in his liver, and he
was starting to show signs of Adrenal Gland Disease. As you could guess, the
news hit me hard, I felt totally helpless. I could do nothing to save the
one friend who I credit with saving me. I was told that as long as he was
eating, drinking, able to to go to the bathroom, and wasn't suffering, I
should take him home and just keep showing him love. Last week he started to
retain fluid, yesterday his mobility started downhill, he couldn't control
his bladder. It was time, at 1:00 today I buried him. As I held him after
the Doctor gave him the shot, he licked my face and went to sleep. God Bless
Him, I hope there is a place where he can run and play and maybe one day
we'll meet again. He deserves nothing Less.
Robert Mills.......04/04/11....4:41 pm






   _____

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Hi, Robert.

To tell you that I'm so sorry for your loss of Weezy is an understatement. 
Reading your post and feeling your loss, I cried right along with you.

These precious creatures have a such way of digging themselves so deep within
our souls and lifting us up and giving us hope that I have no doubt that Weezy
did, indeed, save your life.  But let's not forget, you also lifted Weezy up,
gave him hope, and you saved his life as well, Robert.

What an amazingly special bond the two of you must have shared.  They leave such
a sense of emptiness when they go – a hole in our hearts that we sometimes think
can never be healed.  When mine leave me, the only thing that sometimes keeps me
going is the ones left behind with me.  Keep Sara and Jasmine close to you,
Robert, and let them help you to heal.

Weezy may have physically left, but you need to know that he will NEVER leave
you spiritually.  The kiss he gave you as he was leaving was to let you know how
much he loved you and how much he KNEW he was loved by you.  And all the love
that you gave him, Robert – Weezy was able to take that with him...what a very
special gift you gave him.  He will be with you ALWAYS -- keep him close to your
heart and feel him with you.

God bless your Weezy...and hugs to Sara, Jasmine, and to you, Robert.

Penny

Thank you for your heartfelt responses to our story, Weezy and Mine. I never in
my life thought that this would be so hard. It was not like I didn't know the
outcome over a year ago, he was just always there. He was my confidant, through
the tears, the fear, the pain, Weezy always listened. And though some may think
I'm a little crazy, I would swear that little guy knew what I told him. He
always made sure he showed me attention, would come up and lay on my chest, he
made my worst days better, and for that I'm eternally thankful. Now it's just me
and my girls, today was not a good day, but both of them for the first time,
crawled up on my chest and started licking my face. Just like Weezy did.
So, I will miss him,and I know it gets better with time. I guess in some strange
way,Jazz, and Sara know that I need them now. Like I said before, I'm sitting
here, a grown man writing this through tears. He was not my pet, he was my best
friend. He is in a better place, and I know I'll see him again. Take care of
yourselves and your loved ones, may God bless you all. Thank you......Robert
Mills 04/05/11

We have had them nest in our grill a couple of times. It is fun to watch
them grow but we get impatient to use the grill by the time the babies
leave the nest!
Jane

Just passing this on incase anyone here would like to help Rebecca with her
research.

Please email her using the email address at the bottom of the message.
Sharon
==========


Ferrets Magazine will be featuring a small article about the
therapeutic effects of ferrets and their roles in animal therapy. I am
seeking people to talk with and interview for the story. The story will
discuss the state of "ferret therapy" in the world today (as an update
to the large feature therapy article published many years ago). Among
other things, I hope to introduce readers to the current vocabulary and
their definitions, legislative issues, and most of all heart warming
stories about the therapeutic benefits ferrets have to offer and how
they've helped their owners.

Specifically, I would like to hear from or be put into contact with:
- Medical personal with experience with assisted therapy ferrets
- Doctors and counselors with patients under their care who use
"therapy ferrets"
- Institutions that have benefited from therapy ferrets and/or
   visitations
- Animal experts (behaviorists, shelters, breeders, vets, vet techs,
   etc)
- Individuals who have dealt with ferrets as --
- Service animals (a ferret whom performs a task to aid a disabled
   person)
- Assisted animal therapy (a ferret who has a fundamental role of some
   sort in the treatment of someone)
- Visitation animals (ferrets who visit an establishment, such as a
   nursing home, regularly and who benefits it's occupants)
- Emotional support animals (a ferret who is needed for psychological
   reasons for a disabled person to function)
- and Ferrets who have been hugely therapeutic in the home (anecdotes
   of ferrets who have helped people with diagnosed depression, and
   other serious health problems)
- ... And goodness who knows who/what else I'm leaving out.

Give me a shout at wolfysluv@... if you'd like to particpate or if
you can help put me in contact with relevant sources and contacts.

Please cross-post and foward this on.

Rebecca Stout

I am pleased to announce that, Kari, the person who makes our beloved ferret
beads has been chosen to be in the Bead & Button Show which is a HUGE honor. Her
winning bead (http://www.etsy.com/listing/71488877/bird-in-a-bubble-2) will be
rubbing shoulders with world class beadmakers' beads. There's a chance that she
may even have a feature in an upcoming Bead & Button magazine.
For those of you who have bought her precious beads, please help me in
congratulating her. We should all be proud of her accomplishment. I know I am.

To see more of her work (including some ferret beads)go to
http://www.etsy.com/shop/karibeads?ref=pr_shop_more


Sheryl

Hello all,

I've been lurking for a few days now - mostly just doing my research and trying
to learn as much as I can about these incredibly interesting and loveable little
weasels. I'm still trying to determine if I would be a good owner for a couple
of ferrets, and everything I've read so far leads me to believe I would be. I do
have a bunch of questions that I can't really get answers for by simply reading
- so I'm also looking for direct input from owners. But before I send a long
email with a million questions, I felt it appropriate to introduce myself first.

A little background on me if you care to read:

I'm an IT Professional currently living in Central NJ - single, no children and
I haven't had any pets since late 2009. My last pets were rats - I rescued a
total of 8 rats over the past 10 years, give or take a few months. All were
found and adopted through a group known as Kim's Ark Rescue (sadly now mostly
defunct due to the founder becoming a veterinarian.)

Before that I had a cat that was with me for 19 years - I had to let her go once
her kidneys started to fail. That was extremely difficult to get past, but when
I started looking at other pets that would be good for an apartment dweller,
rats looked like a good fit.
And they are wonderful animals. The stigma attached to them due to their wild
cousins is utterly unwarranted - they can be like little dogs, or even cats and
some are an odd mix of the two. Some are even like people in certain ways. The
saddest thing is that they have such short lives. 3 years or so disappears
before your eyes - especially when your pets are so gentle and loveable.

So here I am, a year and a half of being without any furry friends at home. I
started looking at other kinds of animals again and remembered that ferrets and
rats were my top 2 choices a decade ago. I went with the rats because my
apartment at the time was simply not ferret friendly - I had to keep my pets
caged, or they had to deal with a very small space, and that didn't seem fair to
a larger animal like a ferret. Then after getting my first rats, I was hooked.
And I still love them - but it's just too hard to go through that loss every few
years which is why I'm considering ferrets again. Not to mention a much larger
and infinitely more appropriate apartment for such nosey creatures. It will be
extremely easy to make my entire living space ferret-safe.

So if you've read this far, thanks for sticking with me. I'll probably follow up
sometime in the next week or so with a bunch of questions, so if anyone is
willing and able to offer some answers and/or advice I'd greatly appreciate it.

Cheers!

I think it was back in Novembr I cross posted a message about 12 stolen ferrets
from a mom in Florida by her estranged husband. He and his girlfriend missed
one, and that's all she has. Kim is still looking for her other babies.
Unfortunately Kim has heard the others were sold and one was killed and tossed
like trash. She has created a Facebook page for her babies, in the hopes that
someone will be able to help recover them. For those of you who have facebook
check out

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Missing-Ferrets/192911727410570

or search Missing Ferrets. If you can, share this on your Facebook. We can
always hope for a miracle. I've met her, she's a real sweet girl. Chloe is doing
well, she's adapting to her new life, but I'm sure she would love to have her
brothers and sisters back with her.

Thanks for your time reading this,
Tracy

Robert,
I know this is a little late, I'm sooooooo sorry for your loss.
I lost my dad in February so I haven't been on many of the groups.
There is a place for your "Best" friend, it's called the Rainbow Bridge. He will
be renewed in soul and body and will be waiting for you when you time to go home
comes.
Debi


--- In AmericanFerretAssociation@yahoogroups.com, "Robert" <rogue123@...> wrote:
>
>    I lost my best friend today. I'm sitting here writing this with tears in my
eyes, a grown man. 7 years ago, I was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma, a
Cancer of the Kidney. Not just one Kidney was diseased, both were. It was like
hitting a wall, I was scared, the Doctors told me I was in for a long hard
fight. My youngest son found this runt of a ferret, he was returned to the Pet
Store and couldn't be sold again. They would have to put him down if nobody
adopted him. I admit it was an adjustment, but once I held him all apprehension
was gone. Weezy, he was a Ham, I have laughed through tears many times at his
antics. Through losing a kidney, through Chemo, Radiation, Weezy was always
there to make me smile. He made it bearable, I'm alive today because of this
little bundle of energy.
>   3 years ago I adopted 2 female Ferrets, Sara, and Jasmine. I had went into
remission and I'm a 4 year survivor. Weezy and the girls got along great, slept
together, ate together, played together. A little more than a year ago I took
them all in to the Vet for a check-up, Weezy was slowing down a little, and
sleeping more. He also started to develop cataracts in both eyes. The Doctor
noticed a lump below his rib cage, not big, but he wanted to get a ct scan. The
scan came back, Weezy had Cancer in his liver, and he was starting to show signs
of Adrenal Gland Disease. As you could guess, the news hit me hard, I felt
totally helpless. I could do nothing to save the one friend who I credit with
saving me. I was told that as long as he was eating, drinking, able to to go to
the bathroom, and wasn't suffering, I should take him home and just keep showing
him love. Last week he started to retain fluid, yesterday his mobility started
downhill, he couldn't control his bladder. It was time, at 1:00 today I buried
him. As I held him after the Doctor gave him the shot, he licked my face and
went to sleep. God Bless Him, I hope there is a place where he can run and play
and maybe one day we'll meet again. He deserves nothing Less.
> Robert Mills.......04/04/11....4:41 pm
>

This morning Raven decided that she was again fascinated with one of my
printers.  After dragging her out of it several times, I finally decided to just
let her go and make a video of her antics.  Naturally, at that point she got
more interested in the camera than the printer.  I left her alone, to see if she
would get back to work, but she just found a nice place to sleep.

So no video.  You can see a picture of one of her earlier forays in my folder: 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericanFerretAssociation/photos/album/1524148474/\
pic/557754744/view

Dav Vandenbroucke
davanden at cox dot net

Thank you, Maureen.  I can't tell what he's thinking.  Glad he made you remember
a beloved friend.  ferretmomCindy

I love the photos of Raven.  What pretty ferrets.  My ferret have not yet
learned to pick up her toys, I see your ferrets still leave their toys on the
floor also, lol.  Keep the stories and photos coming.  Love ferret antics,

Michelle Thomas
--- In AmericanFerretAssociation@yahoogroups.com,
"dav_and_frances_vandenbroucke" <davanden@...> wrote:
>
> This morning Raven decided that she was again fascinated with one of my
printers.  After dragging her out of it several times, I finally decided to just
let her go and make a video of her antics.  Naturally, at that point she got
more interested in the camera than the printer.  I left her alone, to see if she
would get back to work, but she just found a nice place to sleep.
>
> So no video.  You can see a picture of one of her earlier forays in my folder:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericanFerretAssociation/photos/album/1524148474/\
pic/557754744/view
>
> Dav Vandenbroucke
> davanden at cox dot net
>

More fun ferret related Ebay items from Ferrets with Soul(e)

We have added a couple new items to our Ebay listings.

We have a new style Tote Bag & a darling fleece throw.  We also added a couple
new ferret cards to our line-up.  In addition, we  have a few cute Easter themed
items available. Mugs, ornaments, eggs, cosmetic bags, etc.

Watch for a new listing for a 16"x20" stretched canvas print,  with a very
affordable starting price.  We hope to list a unique mouse pad as well.  Check
it out.  Fun to look at anyway. All proceeds go to Ferrets with Soul(e) Rescue.

http://shop.ebay.com/nvferretrunner1970/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562

Tracy & Linda