So, it's taken me some time to be ready to post about our latest loss at The Grant Zoo. Some losses hit you harder than others, not because you love one critter more than another, but, in this case, because it was so unexpected. Almost 2 weeks ago we lost our sweet boy Kai. It was completely out of the blue - sort of. You see, I have become spoiled by the longevity and good health of our ferret children. When Violet passed at seven years and a few months, I was as prepared as I could be knowing that its tough to get a ferret to seven who is in good health, let alone one with insulinoma. Madison was one week shy of nine years old. Theo, who is currently in 'senior care' is pushing eight and a half and I am as prepared as I can be knowing he has had a very long and happy life. Kai, however was seven years and a few months. Most ferrets pass in their seventh year but I wasn't ready. It's been difficult for me to wrap my head and my heart around the fact that he simply died of old age. I can take solace in that I was able to spend time with him on his last day with me, and he was healthy and happy until his passing.
Kai was litter mates with Tabby and Harlow. He was an all boy kind of ferret who loved to play hard and show his affection with just as much enthusiasm. He was a gorgeous boy with a handsome face and lovely coloring. He loved his ferret siblings fiercely and was always affectionate with his humans. Kai loved to give kisses - but there was one rule - he had to put his little ferret nose in one of your nostrils and give kisses right between your nose and your top lip. He was also the bravest ferret we've had - finding himself stuck in places, in trouble for getting into things he shouldn't have and in the position of ring leader of all ferret shenanigans.
The remaining four ferrets are sticking pretty close to one another - they miss their brother. I am spending lots of time with them as well, showing them even more love and attention than usual. We picked up our sweet boy from the vets office last night - he is home where he belongs and missed more than he could ever imagine.
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| See...nose up the nostril... |
