I'm feeling very sad....what would you do if you were in my shoes?
By ctrymuziklvr
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
United States
June 22, 2007 4:05pm CST
I have 3 ferrets who I love with all my heart and I've had for 3 years. Their more like my kids than they are pets.
My problem is that my daughter just started a new job and needs me to babysit very often which means I will have to be out of my apartment for days at least a couple of days at a time leaving my babies alone. They need to have fresh food and water and their "poopy papers" changed daily not to mention they usually spend the whole day out of their cage. Sometimes I can find someone to check on them twice a day but it's not always easy and they don't get their papers changed or have the human interaction they are used to. Their very social animals and aren't happy spending a lot of time alone which is the reason I have them. They are great company for me.
She lives 3 bus rides away from me and neither of us drives which makes it so difficult for me to get there or her to get the kids here.
I'm thinking about finding homes for my babies and put out an ad to that effect which has me looking at quite a lot of replies from people who want them. I'm very torn over the whole situation becuase I love my daughter and want to help her and see her succeed and I love my ferrets.
Am I wrong to give up my babies that I love so dearly? They are so used to being spoiled and I know no other home will treat them the way I do. What would you do?
5 people like this
9 responses
@Nykkee (2522)
• Canada
22 Jun 07
Get a carrier and take them one the bus. Save up and get a second cage to keep at your daughters house if you can't always let them run around there. Social animals like that need attention but they also get very attached to the specific person that is thier mother/father. They will not be happier with another person, they love you. There has to be a way around it, don't give up your babies, they need you and I'm sure you need them too.
2 people like this
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
22 Jun 07
I agree, if there is anyway you can take them back and forth with you that would be best.
Also, having pets around is good for children. It teaches them to care for animals properly and rspect them.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Both excellent ideas but impossible. I have 3 of them and they need a lot of room which they wouldn't have at her house. They also have to be in a place that's thoroughly ferret proofed which means under refirgerators, washing machines, dishwashers, baseboards...I think you get the picture. They can't be let free in just any apartment without extensive work being done first.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Jun 07
You really do have a dilemma on your hands...wouldn't it be just easier for your daughter to find someone to baby sit who lives close to her...I know it would mean paying someone...or maybe in exchange for babysitting she could do some favor for the person in return...I wouldn't want to give up my little pals (my two cats) for nothing...I really understand how you feel about your ferrets...and I love the picture..did you really dress him up like that?
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
23 Jun 07
I think this is good idea Paywacket, work exchange for babysitting...so our friend can stay with her babies...
1 person likes this
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
23 Jun 07
Well, I wouldn't be able to suggest giving up your little friends. I would try to find a way that I could keep them plus help out the family. I mean, if she could she should try to find someone closer, but you are Grandma so I understand that. If you are not going to permanently move in with her than I don't understand why you can not let them adjust to you being away sometimes. There are three of them and I am sure they keep each other company as well....
Could you not do a little ferret proofing on her house? So somtimes you can take them with you for a visit?
:) Good luck. I hope you don't have to give away the *kids*
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
23 Jun 07
It must be the way to do it. I would never give my pets away; I would do my research and find out what to do.
Can your daughter find babysitter instead?
I know that you love her, but isn't that odd to change your entire life and all of your habits?
Drive in bus, stay away from your home?
Can your daughter bring kids to your place instead?
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
23 Jun 07
Absolutely no way would I get rid of them. They have been your loyal friends when you were on your own. To discard them now is just cruel in my opinion, - especially as I doubt you will find someone who can take all 3 of them together, so they may be traumatised by being separated from their fellows. Hope you don't mind me saying this - but sounds like your daughter is using you for a free babysitter with no thought to your own feelings, or how you have beem living prior to this. Seems very unfair to me. If you can't take the ferrets to your daughter's house, why can't you have her child/children at your house, and she can pick him/her up after work. That way you help her out and keep the ferrets as well. Good luck.
@lisado (1227)
• United States
23 Jun 07
I know you want to help you daughter, but what is going to happen when she doesn't need you anymore and you found homes for your ferrets? You'll be alone again. Can her children not come to you? while you want to help your daughter you shouldn't have to give up your life and pets to do it. Also, you have no idea who will be adopting them or how they will really be taken care of. I'm not saying you can't find good homes, but it can be very difficult to read people sometimes.
Good luck with whatever you decide. There is no easy answer for this problem, and I don't think there is really a "wrong" answer, either. If you can help your daughter you should, but the question is how much should you have to give up to do it? Not an easy question to answer.
1 person likes this
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
23 Jun 07
I am not sure if either of these idea's will work or not but have you either thought about taking them with you so that you would still be able to watch them during the day or having your daughter take the children to you so that you don't have to give them up ?
It sounds like you love them very much and I don't know if you are really going to be able to give them away , just because it sounds like you would miss them very much . It is not wrong of you to give them up if you feel you can't give them the attention they need but it is you that I am thinking is going to have a harder time over this .
Best of luck in whatever you decide and I hope you find a solution that works well for both you and your daughter . Take Care !!
1 person likes this
@liu60071 (1)
• China
23 Jun 07
I never know that there are some people who keep ferrets as pets,but they are very cute and lovely,i like them very much,and i like animals very much.If i'm in your shoes,i'll seek a good family for them,after all,you haven't enough time to deal with them well.
1 person likes this
