My Foster Kids

[Tink]

Well I have been wanting to volunteer lately at my local humane society and wildlife rehab but the problem for me is I'm now always able to drive to these locations. Been thinking about fostering for awhile now but kept talking myself out of it. Well this last weekend I got this message that I can only explain as ESP. It was like an alarm going off saying "Come get me. I need help". The feeling persisted over the last week and wouldn't even allow me to sleep so I relented and set up an appointment with our local ferret shelter to meet some furkids who needed a foster home.
I am now a Foster Mom for two ferrets in need.
They have been living in the shelter for the past 2 years approximately. A boy (age 7) who I am calling Cooper and a girl (age 5) I am calling Winnie.
Cooper is a retired breeder ferret. He is a very sweet boy (with a case of rat tail) and no other known issues besides no one wants to adopt a 7 year old ferret, it seems. He gets along with most ferrets and is curious and active.
Winnie was the one who needed me the most. She is five but much more fragile. Skin and bones and blind in one eye. She was found wandering the streets and no one has claimed her for the last two years. She's quite picky about who she bonds with and was isolated until she found Cooper to cuddle up with. She gets startled by other playful ferrets easily we believe because of the blindness. She is not thriving in the shelter like she could be in a home and the goal for her is to get her to put on weight and learn how to play (she doesn't seem to know how). She's very sensitive.
Cooper is a lovebug that says "I want out of the cage, lemme stretch my legs!!" but is also happy to get his back scratched and give hugs. Winnie is much more introverted, gives kisses on the mouth, and just wants to be near you (I held her in a baby sling for quite awhile when we got home and she already likes it very much and has come back for more cuddles). She is definitely a lap ferret who likes peace and quiet.
Unless there is an issue on my end, the shelter mom and I have agreed that this should be a permanent foster situation. She also believes it'd be hard to find a home for them not only because they are "seniors" but they must stay together. She thinks Winnie would have not had the will to live if it wasn't for Cooper.
Luckily I have extra cage room and space to run two different playgroups and I can keep these fosters separate as not to stress them while still providing out of cage/run time :D
And on to the pics!!
Cooper
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/002-4.jpg
Winnie
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/001-4.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/008-6.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/009-4.jpg
Cooper
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/013-3.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/016-2.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/017-1.jpg
Winnie
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/018-1.jpg
Cooper
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/019-2.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/021.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/024-2.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/031.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/038-1.jpg
Winnie
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/026.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/028-1.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/030-1.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/035-2.jpg

[Tink]

I've gotten Winnie to eat some high fat food which is promising. She is a bit wobbly so I had to put some pillows as she has trouble maneuvering the ramp in the cage. They are on the top level of the huge cage K got me two Xmas' ago seperated and blocked off from my kids (not going to even think about introducing them unless Winnie gets some meat on her and adjusts I don't want her to stress out).

[random]

Tink! So so lovely to see you back and lovely babies! Cooper looks very cheeky and Winnie is such a poppet. K looks so so sooooo much better now! Hope you are all well. x

[Tink]

Thanks! Yes K's lost tons of weight and is only now getting his appetite back which is great to see him enjoy food again.
Cooper is quite cheeky and such a young spirit for his age! Winnie is very delicate and lovely. The shelter mom had some tears in her eyes as she hugged them goodbye yesterday, she's grown quite fond of them but she was telling them it'll be much nicer for them to have a home where they can run and have personal attention now. Cooper and Winnie are quite the odd couple, very opposite. He is huge and feels like solid dead weight and she feels like a skeleton with fur! Going to the store today to pick up some heavy whipping cream to mix in her soup. She is a very sensitive girl.

[dandysmom]

Oh bless you for taking in those two oldies!They'll be able to live out their lives in a happy home; I'm sure Winnie will get some meat on those bones with your care.

[Mags]

You're not a person to turn your back on any unfortunate animal, so I'm not surprised to see these two lovelies, Tink :D

Good on you for offering these two some love and care :)

[angieh]

They are two lucky ferrets, Tink! I am sure if anyone can make Winnie well again, you can.

[Tink]

Aww thanks for the vote of confidence guys. Miss Winnie did not want to eat much today so I whipped up some kitten replacer milk and she LOVED it. Think I'll do at least several supplemental feedings during the day till she gets some weight on.
Cooper danced for me today, he loves socks and is such a goofball still at his age, very "happy go lucky" ferret.

[calismum]

Great that you could do this Tink. I'm sure they will both flourish in your TLC.

[alexgirl73]

awwwwwwwwwwww, they are gorgeous :D And very lucky to have ended up with you. Looking forward to hearing how they get on x

[Tink]

Update- Winnie and Cooper are really starting to settle in. I had to go out and buy some water bottles b/c Cooper likes to snorkel and get all of the bedding and food soaked, lol. I also figured out what Winnie can get in and out of. She's not very strong so you have to be careful how you situate everything. They were on Purina Kitten Chow at the shelter and I found them a much improved intermediary food (don't want to send them into system overload with my Evo/NG mix) that is also sensitive on their tummies. Winnie needed to be syringe fed for a few days but she is really starting to perk up and they both delight in soup mixed with KRM and salmon oil several times a day. Cooper is such a sweetheart, he takes everything in stride and is so laid back. Winnie is really starting to trust me and she is beautiful to me with her dark sable coat. They both have speckled noses too. So we're finally settled enough I've made the cage comfortable for Winnie and dry enough b/c of Cooper and have them on a better diet regimen for the malnourishment Winnie obviously has. I really do love them and enjoy caring for them. They are no bother, just need a comfortable place to stay and I am so happy to provide that for them.

[Tink]

I have also figured out Winnie is completely blind in one eye and partially in the other eye. I've learned a lot the last few days on how to keep things simple for her and she is starting to memorize her surroundings. Thought it might be hard to run a separate group but their needs are so simple and they are so mellow it's really a joy to do it for them, no bother at all. They are teachinig me so much and I love them.

[dandysmom]

I'm delighted that things are going so well, Tink; how happy they are in their lovely forever home.

[Mags]

I'm pleased to hear they are settling in with you, Tink ...... they are so fortunate to have someone as loving as you to care for them...

[angieh]

So glad to hear that you are enjoying caring for them Tink and they are being good and, I expect, loving being taken proper care of.

[Aquatic]

They are so lucky to have someone like you to look after them...They are both gorgeous :-D x

[Tink]

Thanks guys. I'm not too sure Winnie's hearing is up to par either. She also has some issues holding her bladder. But she does have me wrapped around her little paw as she has shown me she will eat more if I syringe her the kitten milk rather than drink on her own.
Cooper seems relieved someone is helping take care of his sister and is acting like a kid on summer vacation. He's so funny and goofy! He decided to topple over the soup bowl the other day and dig out all the litter in the litter box..little brat! :lol: He's so full of energy. They really are exact opposites!
Here are some pics of Miss Winnie yesterday. She wandered over on her own to nap with some friends.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/001-5.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/002-5.jpg

[dandysmom]

Oh bless, cute pic! I love that owl too!

[Tink]

Thanks! I got that owl after reading "An Owl Came to Stay"..lovely book about rehabbing wild owls and quite inspiring..but since I don't have the facilities to do such things I appeased myself with a stuffed owl (I said I bought it for the kids but I really do adore him, LOL). I'm very into owls these days.
Here's a pic of Winnie last night, she was awake and had a bit more life in her
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/003-7.jpg
And me and Mr. Cooper. He actually gives hugs..seriously. Wraps his arms around your neck and everything. And puts both paws on his face to kiss you. Such a gentlemenly teddy bear fellow you can tell by his sweet face
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm211/darkpixietink/021-1.jpg

[dandysmom]

Lovely pics, Tink! Two little sweethearts.

[angieh]

So glad Winnie is coming along. Mr Cooper is a dreamboat!

[Shelley123]

Only just caught up with this thread. What a great job you are doing. I'm so pleased Winnie is doing well despite her problems and that Cooper can relax and enjoy his life.

[Mags]

Lovely pics, Tink :)