The Official Ferret Lost & Found

[Lazario]

Well of course I wasn't able to go to sleep. I stayed in the kitchen, watching horror movies on the TV/DVD trying to calm down, going outside and squeaking. Then I had the genius idea to shake the container of Raisins they love so much. I went outside about 3 times before I thought, I'll go out 1 more time (I would have gone out 10 more times if I had to). It seems that our Cats are the Key to finding him when he's lost. That last time, when I made this post, it was the Okitty who found him (he doesn't really have a name, he's orange - I call him OK - orange kitty). I go to the back door, it's orange kitty, I let him in, and Boom! There's Keeko waiting in front of him. This time, Puffadoodle was trying to get in. Well, he must have had a fight with Keeko, because I let Pdiddy in and I hear a noise. I figure it's probably my little Satan-spawn, C.C. (another cat, the one who sleeps in my room at night but who also is the least friendly, therefore I insult him daily) just making more noise, which he always does when a ferret is missing and getting me really mad at him for doing that. But, out of the darkness comes Keeko, running 100 miles per hour, with his Tail hair all Spiked-out at the sides like he was touching that big Static Ball they have at all those Museums and Planetariums (this happens to all ferrets when they are playing or are being attacked, as a sign that the ferret is mad or crazed or whathaveyou). He hid under the house, so I lured him out with Raisins. But he ain't getting 1 single raisin, he's a bad ferret for running off yet again. I only hope that it was the old roomie who let him out, I don't want to think that he's got a way of getting out that I don't know about. That would only prove truly upsetting for future.

OY! UG!

[MadonnasManOne]

I'm glad to hear that he's back! Looks like you are going to have to keep an eye on him, more often, to make sure he doesn't have a secret way to get out, that you don't know about.

[Siren]

You should never punish an animal for coming to you. He deserved that raisen. Otherwise, if he does it again and remember you "lied" to him and never gave him his reward last time for following your instruction (to come to you), he might ignore you the next time.

"Come" is the most important word for any animal. From a dog to a ferret to a horse. It keeps them from danger. My dog Willow ran away once, I was beside myself in agony over it. When she returned, part of me wanted to yell at her, but I knew at that moment, I should give her a whole bunch of roast beef and hot dogs to remind her that when she returns to me, she gets the reward. Most animals don't think in over 3 step processes, so an animal isn't going to think that running away and then coming back will give them a reward, they will only think, that when you call them and they come to you, they get the reward. Dog behavioral training works very well on ferrets. Learn it to keep this from happening again. The ferret deserved the treat when he did what you asked him to do.

And put a bell collar on him when he is out of the cage. Most kitten collars work well. Then you can hear where he is at. Out of your home (depending where you live) he could fall victim to eagles, hawks, owls, snakes, cats, dogs, foxes, coyotes, badgers, raccoons, and most of all, starvation (as ferrets don't have very good instincts in catching and eating prey nor can they knock down trash cans like dogs).
And have him microchipped. One of my friends lost her ferret. A neighbor found it and a woman from the other side of town said it was her ferret, so he gave it to her. She had the ferret for nearly a month. It took 4 judges and 12 police officers, along with a large portion of the community and local news to get the woman to give it back to her. After that, she microchipped it (per my suggestion), so such a thing can never happen again.

[Lazario]

I wouldn't give him the raisin anyway - Raisins are not really very good for ferrets. And they've all already had far too many, per ferret. I wouldn't want to take even the slightest risk, with all of them being so internally fragile and all.

[Siren]

Raisin or not, he deserved a treat of any kind for returning to you as you commanded him to do. Like I said, not rewarding him is punishing him for what you wanted him to do. If you asked a child to clean their room and then put them in the corner for 10 minutes after they made their room spotless, do you think that child would do the same task again? Simple psychology goes a long way. Rewards go a long way. Punishment and empty promises, means the next time, he might just say "screw you" and find someone who is willing to give him a treat.

[Ting Ting]

I'm glad your ferret is back again!

[Lazario]

This is what the little brat looks like:



Keeko, my little world-traveler.

Since this post, he's gone missing at least 3 more times. But found, thankfully.

His little brother, Nibbs, is being put-to-sleep today. He's been really sick lately and now, he's definitely dying. I thought he was a goner a week ago but thankfully he had 3 more good days. He was real energetic right to the end.

Keeko is also quite sick and probably on his way. When he's gone, I'm not buying another ferret. Or even adopting one. It's too damn hard to challenge all the diseases they get. So, soon my life (hard to imagine) will be ferret-less.

[PrincePhillipFan]

I'm so sorry to hear about this, Laz At least he had a caring master like you and you showed him plenty of love in his life.

Keeko looks absolutely adorable too. I always wondered about getting a ferret myself as they always seem like such endearing creatures. I guess I'm partial to animals who can be rather hyperactive and playful, but I always wanted to see what it would like for a pet.

[pap64]

What cute little ferret! And sorry to hear about your other ferret, Lazario.

[Margos]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Laz.

But I hope that Keeko lives for as long as he can! He is such an adorable (if mischevious) little animal! It makes me wish that I had a ferret.... Even if they are sickly, they are just so cute!

[blackcauldron85]

I'm so sorry to hear that, Laz. I also hope that Keeko has much more life in him- he's adorable!

[Lazario]

Thanks. Now that's he all alone, he's very quiet.