Bash - 2014 - 2021 - Rest in Peace Sweet Boy

 I have procrastinated for some time posting about our latest loss. It's not because Bash was more loved than the others, but I think because of the cumulative heartbreak of losing all three boys this year. Bash was seven years, four months - an old ferret as most pass in their seventh year. That said - I was not prepared. The afternoon of September 15th was an ordinary day. I had gone in to their room to tidy up and see them all (something that happens three or four times a day) and I had my hands on all three ferrets, including Bash. He was fine acting like his mellow, affectionate self. He ate, went potty, and 'helped' with chores. When I went in later that evening to check on everyone before bed I found he had passed, curled up in one of his favorite blankets in his comfy sleeping position. The fact that he went quickly is a blessing and I know that, but it doesn't make it any easier on my heart.

Bash was litter mates with Fiona. He was our largest ferret but he was a gentle giant. He loved to play with toys and had several stashes in his room. He came along shortly after the very unexpected loss of a very young ferret, Finn, to a congenital issue. Bash helped heal my heart back then for sure.

We named him Bash because he was so large but actually, the name ended up being perfect as he was a very shy, bashful guy. He has definitely left a void in our little zoo.

We are down to just two ferrets and these will likely be our last two for a bit at least. We have discussed and decided to take a ferret pause for now. The sad reality is that Tabby is 8 and Fiona is 7 so we may not have either girl around for much longer. I am loving on them both like crazy and enjoying the time we have left.

As for my sweet Bash - rest easy, little man. I miss you more than you could ever know.

Happy Birthday Bash and Fiona!!

I can't believe that my baby ferrets are four years old!!  Time goes too fast.  These two are our youngest of the bunch. Fiona is engaged, playful and affectionate. Bash is a bit shy at first but then he wants to play rough and tumble. He is all boy!  I love these two crazy kids and am so thankful they are a part of our family.  Happy Birthday little ones!!

The beautiful Miss Fiona

The handsome Bash

Ferret and Piggy Vet Visit

Yesterday's vet visit went well - 8 critters cared for in about one and a half hours - not too shabby.  First off - the good news is that everyone seems pretty darn healthy. We are still waiting to hear about blood results on Kai and Winston but I am not expecting anything catastrophic in either case. We took blood on Kai to confirm his weight loss was related to coat change and not something that needs treatment and we took blood on Winston because that's what we do every year to stay on top of his health.

The ferrets were very well behaved and cooperative.  I have a couple of pics of Tabby, who went first. Tabs has developed a freckle on her nose. I had the vet check it out to confirm it is just a freckle and not something more scary. Thankfully - freckle confirmed!

Tabby, Bash, Theo, Kai, Fiona - these guys all got vaccinations - rabies and distemper, adrenal disease prevention implants and physicals.

Implant

Vaccination

Madison - who has active adrenal disease had already received her updated implant a few months ago, as well as her vaccines so she only had a physical.

Violet had her vaccinations at one of her glucose check appointments a few months ago as well so she had a physical and got her implant updated.

All in all - the state of the business is pretty darn good!

Winston - ah piggy boy.  The reality of it is - it's challenging to vet a pig. He screamed like a banshee when they put the meds in his snout. I don't think this was because of the medicine but more because they have to use gravity so they life his front feet off the ground and sit his butt on the floor. To say he didn't like it would be an understatement.

He staggered around like a drunken piggy and then we flipped him on his back. Pigs are prey animals so this part is very scary for them instinctively. He screamed for a bit but once I talked to him and gave him loves he settled down. He was on his back for a bit - they did a blood draw, vaccinations, physical, hoof trim, tusk trim. He did pretty well and all of us involved felt like the appointment went just about as well as it could have gone. Winston spent the afternoon sleeping of his meds. The ferrets were no worse for the wear and everyone seems happy today.  I am glad it's over and done with for another year.

I had to chuckle. The dogs wigged out when they heard Winston screaming - seems like they might want to murder him but they don't appreciate anyone else attempting to do it for them.  LOL

Happy Birthday Fiona and Bash!!

I can't believe my baby ferrets are 3 years old today.  Time really does fly!

Bash was a very overweight, inactive ferret at the pet store when we found him.  When the hubs met him he said we could keep him but that left his sister alone in the bin - which we can't allow.  So, Fiona became a part of our family as well.  I can't imagine our lives without these two.  Hubs wanted to name them Shrek and Fiona - I hated Shrek but loved Fiona so we compromised and settled on Sebastian - Bash for short.  We originally thought Bash would be a good name because he was such a big bruiser.  In reality - it is the perfect name because he is a bit shy and bashful.  I adore them both....

Happy birthday little ones!!!

Ferret Snaps

I got a few ferrety snaps today when I was down in critter land doing chores.  I think I got at least one of everyone.  The ferret gang is doing great - active, happy and healthy.  Violet continues to do well - we go for her glucose check on 5/11:

Kai

Violet

Tabby and Madison

Fiona

Tabby

Bash

Fiona, Theo and Madison

Bash

Tabby

Bash

Funny - Theo is tucked in one shot - usually he is front and center for picture taking - I must have caught him at nap time.  He is fine though - I have had hands on him a couple of times today - sweet boy....

Ferret Snaps

I haven't posted pictures of the ferrets lately so I thought I would post some that I took today.  I ambushed them while they were napping so some of them look pretty sleepy:

Fiona - snoozing in her purple monster bed.  She's not all that thrilled that I woke her up.

Bash (top) and Theo snoozing in their box in my office closet - its a favorite sleeping spot for the boys.

Kai (top) and Madison - they are snoozing in the wicker hamper.  Kai was really sleeping so he has that "WTH MOM?" look on his cute ferret face.

Tabitha - she was sleeping in the tube - they love the tube!

Last but not least - Violet - I couldn't find her - went back to all the spots and there she was - hidden under the blanket in the hamper after all.  

Everyone is doing well - they are all active and happy I think.  This week is supposed to have some warmer days so they will get some outside playspace time.  Violet will go back in for a glucose check mid April.  Love these crazy little ferrets!!

Ferret Snaps

I spent a bit of time down in critter land this morning playing with the ferrets.  They are all doing well.  Violet took her medicine like a champ and everyone was up and around and playful.  I got some snaps of everyone but Kai - he was too wiggly and all of his shots were very blurry.

Fiona

Fiona

Violet

Violet

Theo

Theo

Theo

Bash

Bash

Madison

Tabby

Theo

Madison

Little Critter Updates

My little critters are doing so well!!  I adore that crazy bunch!

Let's start with the kitties.  They are all doing very well.  Aggie is maintaining her new svelte figure (she lost a bit of weight after the vet identified that she was too chunky).  Oliver has kept on the weight he gained but he is still pretty skinny - I am working on that with some high calorie supplements - hopefully that will do the trick.  Miss Phoebe is doing quite well - she is happy and easy going.

Phoebe

Aggie

Somehow I didn't end up with a usable picture of Mr. Wiggly - aka Oliver.  I will try for one tomorrow....

And the ferrets - they are all doing just fantastic.  Violet seems to be really thriving on her meds - she is active, maintaining her weight and often I catch her playing and dooking (making the ferret happy noise).  The other girls are all just great.  Madison has come back full force from her baldness and she looks amazing.  Fiona is a lovely as ever and Tabitha is becoming more and more engaged wanting to be picked up even if it is only for a short time.

Violet

Fiona

Madison

Tabitha

And the boys - oh those boys.  They are all amazing!  I was worried that Theo might be losing weight so I started weighing him every day to ease my mind.  It worked since I weighed him for 10 days and he was within 10 grams of the same weight every time.  I think he looks thin because he doesn't have the fluffy winter coat like Bash and Kai.  Speaking of those two - they are both doing great as well.  All three are full of crazy ferret antics whenever I visit them in Critter Land.  

Theo on the right with Fiona - they are sleeping in one of their favorite spots - they got in a box that had a 8 pack of toilet paper.  Needless to say they shredded it to bits and the TP bed is a favorite of all the ferrets.

Kai on the left and Tabby on the right (and Bashy in the background - at least part of him)

Bash

Okay - sorry for the quality of these snaps - I got a new phone and I am still trying to figure out all the settings of the camera.  I figured something was better than nothing.  I will post about them again soon!