Jasmine
After 5 days with us
May 16th, 2004
Today I got a frantic call from my volunteer Stephanie. "Oh Zoo--Thank God you`re THERE!" Her brother was at a garage sale where a Midwest cage was being sold. There was another STARTER cage sitting outside with no food, water, or litterbox--and no sleepy sacks or hammies--- containing two ferrets.
The lady said they were moving. They were giving away the (pitifully thin and dehydrated) little girl and keeping the little boy (SEPARATING them!) They were ALSO giving away their family DOG. People disgust me to no end lately.
Stephanie`s brother knew Jasmine was sick--and he took her to Stephanie`s immediately. Twenty minutes later they were here. After I gave fluids, she weighed 1#7oz. She ate and ate as if there was no tomorrow--then she drank and drank and drank. I wonder how long she was out in that driveway in a cage with no food or water--I wonder if they only fed them once a day. She looks to be about 5 years old. Her nails are very thin and she has a suspicious looking broken tooth. She is a very docile dark sable girl with a black nose. Her hips look pretty sunken but tonight her tummy looks fuller. She`s sleeping a lot. She got more fluids about an hour ago and her eyes look much brighter.
May God bless Stephanie`s brother. He did a good thing today. Jasmine will get well, be loved, and never be starved again.
I`m sitting here tonight wondering how the little boy is doing all alone without her.
As I get older, I cry more often. I wish I could change the world......
Love, Zoo
UPDATE: June 17th, 2004
She was thin and dehydrated when she came to us on May 16th. Her appetite has been great but she lost the weight she had originally gained after joining us.
Jasmine blended beautifully with the Merry group. She didn`t bite toes, pick fights, or potty in the wrong places. She gave wonderful kisses---and even liked to cuddle! She was such a wonderful little sable girl.
She was vomiting a bit yesterday--more today, so we went to the vet. I asked for an x-ray to rule out blockage. What we saw was horrifying, a huge tumor. Because it appeared to be on the spleen, there was a possibility the vet might be able to remove the spleen with the tumor and all would be well. We decided to try.
She went in for surgery within the hour and the vet discovered a large pancreatic mass which had metastasized. It was affecting the stomach, spleen, and kidney. To awaken her would have been cruel. There was no way out.
Stephanie kept me company during the hour + drive to bring Jasmine`s body back home for burial.
She was only with us for a month, but she stole my heart. Sad---someone out there didn`t want her---but we DID.....
UPDATE: June 18th, 2004
Visitation is today.
I always call the volunteers when one dies in case they want to say goodbye.
My 10 year old helper Randi was just here with her mom. It was only a week ago that Jasmine crawled up into Randi`s lap as she sat on the step in the ferret room.
Randi wants a ferret of her very own. She`s volunteering here so she can learn all about them. Today she learned that one day you have to say "goodbye"--and if you have been loving and kind---if you have kept their house clean and their water clean, sparkling, and full-- if you gave it proper vet care--- let it run and play---if you have never lost your temper with your ferret--you will only have one regret----that you didn`t have a little more time together.
I went to miamiferret.org and played the "Tribute to Shelters" clip for her. It made her cry a little. I looked up and mom was misty too, a bit. Randi is learning how cruel people can be and is determined to NEVER be like some of the awful people in this world. (GOOD!!!)
The child is like a magnet--gathering all kinds of info. I know she will be a good ferret mommy by the way she handles ours.
Jasmine was so gentle. I`m glad Randi got to meet her.
Love, Zoo