A promise to a good friend...

January 12th, 2006


I met Rita Bolin online several years ago. She was a member of the FML, as well as several other ferret boards we belonged to. She became a great supporter of our sanctuary and we were soon close friends. We emailed often and talked a lot on the phone. When one of us needed to chat, the other was always there.

She called me a couple months ago. Said she had a bad case of the flu. She wasn`t letting her babies out to play because she didn`t want to infect them. She became much worse and was dragged into emergency  about 5-6 weeks ago. She couldn`t breathe!! Turns out she had CHF---and they siphoned 2 litres of fluid off one of her lungs. Later, she wound up in intensive care--they did more tests---and found big time terminal cancer. (This was two weeks ago)

I was the first person her sister called after the Dr. told her she was terminal and left the room. Rita and I had agreed over two years ago that she would take in a bonded group of five of our babies if I died---and if SHE died, we would take hers in. It was time for us to make good on our promise...

Thanks to two wonderful new ferret friends who drove the first 8 hours of the trip, and to my wonderful husband, who drove 22 hours round trip to Tulsa Oklahoma to meet up with one of them---Rita`s seven babies made it here safely 10 days ago from Rosenberg Texas.

Due to the wonders of modern technology, Rita got to see pictures of Kurt entering the house with the carriers which held her precious cargo. She seemed very relieved to know her furkids had safely arrived. She was very weak, but her sister captured a picture of Rita in her hospital bed giving a "thumbs up" and sent it to us.

We emailed her sister often with updates to share and sent pictures of each ferret, so Rita could identify who was who. We spoke on the phone as well.

Rita left this Earth this morning at 9 a.m. She knew her babies were going to be all right. She was able to rest in peace....

We send our love to Mary (Rita`s sister) and to Lulu (Rita`s daughter) and to Rita`s 97 year old aunt. This has been a devastating loss.

Love, Zoo

Mr. Baby

UPDATE: November 8th, 2006

Mr. Baby, who had surgery a year ago April, has begun to show symptoms again. He has become so aggressive, he had to be separated from his group. He and Paco both received lupron depots which were generously donated by SOS. Paco is showing some re-growth of fur on his bald little monk head. We are waiting for Mr. Baby to show some improvement too.

All the others are fine--even little Girly Girl, who has the largest spleen we have ever seen!! She paddles when she walks---and did, when she CAME! The vet says there would be a massive blood loss if we removed it and since she seems ok with it, we are ok with it too. Her appetite is great and she plays well. She is very sweet.

Fifi The Biter hasn`t nailed me yet--but I am always on the lookout! (Once I was on the phone with Rita when Fifi bit her so deeply it drew blood!!!)

Sweetie, Rita`s handsome sable boy, chews holes in all the bedding. We worry that he will suffer a blockage, but there is just no stopping him! He has ruined a STACK of stuff--but we love him anyway!

Chachi is a huge champagne boy who likes toes. He is healthy (so far!) and for that, we are very glad!

BB is insulinomic, as is Paco. Both are doing fine on their meds, although BB is very thin and fragile.

There are so many days I wish I could call Rita and tell her how much we love them. These babies are all I have left of her. I miss her terribly...

More later.

Love, Zoo



UPDATE: January 12th, 2007

It has been a year now since Rita died. I can`t tell you how much I miss her...

Paco is still doing well on his pred and lupron. (Thanks so much to SOS for the donation of lupron!!!) He feels great, but is still a bit aggressive and abusive to a couple in his group. They (and he!) are happier with him being on the meds wall. He loves the one on one time anyway.

BB had major issues a couple months ago and needed an extensive workup at the vet`s. The x-rays looked ok--but the bloodwork was way off. BB was refusing kibble and ate only soup---sometimes. It didn`t look good at all. All results pointed at lymphoma. He was a walking skeleton but he continued to want out to play--so we decided he wasn`t really ready to leave us yet... We were sent home with injectable vitamin B complex and told to do fluids a couple times a day, hoping for the best. I susbtituted injectable dex for the oral pred, which might be upsetting his little tummy. I was up in the night with him doing special feedings. I cried. I prayed. The thought of losing him was breaking my heart. I had promised Rita they would all be OK. BB began to put on weight over the next couple weeks. He began eating kibble!! He RALLIED!!!! For now, he appears to be in remission. It`s a miracle to see him running through the room at top speed again, all busy with his toys!

Fifi The Biter became very ill a couple months ago and required supportive care. She was very ill and very pale. Our suspicion was a blockage, but that was ruled out. For several weeks, we wrestled the Grim Reaper for her life. For now, it`s looking good! She`s got her color back and her energy is slowly returning. (She is well enough to bite the volunteers now. Hooray! LOL)

Girly Girl`s spleen is as huge as ever but of all Rita`s babies, she has changed the least! Still exactly the same as last year, bless her heart. She still "paddles" across the room and plays just fine. Girly Girl is so optimistic and sweet...

Sweetie is still chewing the bedding. That "Grit Grit Grit" sound is unnerving, as I am scared to death he will suffer a blockage, but so far so good!

Chachi has his winter weight now--and he is HUGE!! (Still likes toes, too!) He is the most beautiful champagne boy!

Mr. Baby is doing well on his lupron and was able to re-join the group! For now, the aggression towards the members of his group has stopped. (We are so grateful to SOS for the donation of lupron. Not only does it help them feel better, it helps to heal "broken families"! LOL)

I miss Rita terribly--but I am keeping my promise to her. I love them with all my heart...

More later.

Love, Zoo