even ferrents need vacations

sometimes being a ferrent means going away and taking some time to recharge away from the carpet sharks. but it can be a difficult task to manage to get away when you have ferrets. finding a ferret sitter, especially when you have a business as large as we do, takes some tenacity, a bit of luck, and some really good friends.

fry & i just got back yesterday from a weekend up north at legendary waters resort and casino. february is a big month for us. we have our anniversary (the 3rd), my gastric bypass rebirthday (the 11th), & valentines day (the 14th). we decided to treat ourselves to a little weekend getaway. we've only been away from home twice. once we spent the night at a B&B for new year's eve (2010 into 2011) and the other time we spent one night away from home when ry's grandpa died. we drove to omaha for the funeral, spent one day in nebraska before coming back.

the previous times we left we had all the ferrets in the cage. not ideal, but one night away from them is ok. the first time we had 11 and we were gone for a little over 24 hours. we came home to some very mad ferrets, the cage trashed, and litter boxes in desperate need of scooping. the second time was after podo passed away. the ferrets were alone for about 36 hours, give or take. once again the cage was trashed, the litter boxes had to be completely dumped, and the fuzzbutts were mad at us. this was before nyddah went on her prednisone so it was ok that they were alone. {at right, cassie hanging out in his favorite place: the hamburger}

having a ferret on meds plus leaving town for a couple of days takes planning. there are places that board animals, but i honestly would not trust any of them with my babies. not because i've heard bad things about them, but just because ferrets are an exotic animal, and they need special considerations. i'm also very persnickety about my fuzzbots and their care. ferrets, even if they don't have special needs, require more attention than a dog or a cat.

when we were planning our getaway it was before nyddah crossed the rainbow bridge. nicole and her husband said they would watch nyddah and her BFFs for us. they have experience with ferrets on meds, plus, if there was an emergency to occur with nyddah i wouldn't've wanted her anywhere else. we had watched some of their furries in the past and they were willing to help us out this time. obviously they wouldn't've been able to take all 10. but they were going to take 3 which was going to leave 7 at home in the cage. my sister agreed to come over to our place, take the others out to play, scoop their litter boxes, and check to make sure they had enough food and water. so everything was all set and planned.

after nyddah passed away nicole said they would still watch three. which i thought was awesome. which left 6 at home in the cage. considering the cage they have is like ten feet tall and 6 feet wide we could have left the 6 alone for the two days. the cage has 8 litter boxes in it, two 64 ounce water bottles, 5 food dishes, and 17 beds/hammocks. with ferrets it's not just about basic care needs. they have social needs which are just as important. they like to play and be pet and cuddled and bounce around. so my sister still came up saturday to spend a few hours with the other six giving them the interaction time they needed.

considering the fact our family dynamic has changed with nyddah gone i was very worried about my babies. ferrets can get depressed and that can make them sick just like depression can make humans physically ill. so far the six that stayed home are doing well. i've seen them all and played with them all since fry and i got home. cupcake does not seem phased that there are only six here instead of nine. she actually really seems to be enjoying life without the rest of the gang. lucy seems to be missing rynus. poor sunny d is in a tailspin with nyddah gone and his brother cassie still over at nicole's. i think bandit is missing smoke-doggg a bit, but she sleeps so much that i haven't seen her much. {pictured at left is sunny d, front, doodle, back}

i'm heading over tonight at dinner time to collect my remaining three fuzzbutts. there is a lot less chaos in the house since there are only six here right now, but the house is missing something. i'm looking forward to having my business back together again. nicole has kept me updated on the kids she has. cassie, smokey, and rynus have been very entertaining. i think if we go out of town again they are more than welcome at nicole's house. now, a week long vacation, that would require quite a bit more planning and maybe an in-house ferret sitter. for any that don't go on a vacation themselves.