A few weeks ago, I heard our cat Monster looking out of the back door growling at a strange animal. I knew it wasn't one of the stray cats as he is used to them coming and going. As I looked out I discovered a ferret on the back doorstep eating cat food I'd put there to supplement the stray cats' diets during the colder days.
After a few moments he ventured into the kitchen to quench his thirst.
With his excellent sense of smell he detected a scrap of meat which one of the cats had dropped.
The fruit basket was next on the agenda as he decided to explore other strange smells.
Gradually I persuaded him to investigate the cat carrier, and once he was safely ensconced, I returned him to his owners who were delighted he had been found...and proceeded to mend the hole in his cage through which he had escaped in order to have his little adventure.xxxxxxx
Click here to read about Nature's Minstrels in the main blog.
36 comments:
Wonderful detective work. Glad to know you ``ferreted'' out the identity of the visitor!
Thanks for visiting my blog. I've heard of run away cats and dogs, but never a ferret. Good thing you were able to catch him.
Wow! how exciting! It would have really shocked me to see one on my doorstep!
I thought ferrets were brown! How beautiful he is!
I am surprised the cat didn't try to get it. :)
Welcome to our little corner of paradise, Everyone.
He was no trouble really, David Mc Mahon. But he very obviously wanted to be out of his cage. I have handled ferrets before, so I wasn't afraid of him. He belongs to the family of the three stray cats we look after. They also have eight dogs, hamsters, hens and guinea pigs, as well as another cat. Some people lead interesting lives, don't you think?
He was very frisky, Greg II. That was the second time he had escaped and, to be safe, I used the cat carrier. The first time I'd used a cardboard box with a lid. But I nearly lost him as he was biting a hole in the box as I carried him home :)
I was greatly surprised, Libby. But I had a fair idea who his owners might be, and the children were delighted to see him again :)
This one is an albino ferret with pink eyes, Sally. They are related to polecats which are dark in colour. This one was very much a character, quite used to humans.
Our cat is much bigger than this ferret, Gardener Greg...but he took his lead from the tone of my voice when I was trying to coax the ferret into the carrier. He kept close to me and watched my every move. A gentle voice can work wonders and save lots of fights :)
what a great story! I would've thought it a wild vicious animal like a huge giant mink! I'm glad it came to your door!
Welcome back, Andree, to our little corner of paradise. It was certainly a surprise and interesting to handle one again after many years...the last time being when a child in my class brought one to show me :)
OH...he is adorable!! I missed this post before.
sandy
A warm welcome, dear Sandy. He was a beautiful ferret, I agree...not so nice to smell though. Afterwards, when our cat, Monster, lay in my lap, he sniffed my clothes for ages :)
Bet your cat got a surprise, thank goodness it was a tame one too *!*
Hello, bimbimbie. It was a indeed a surprise...and you are quite correct when you say it's a good thing it was a tame one ...otherwise I might be missing a few fingers now :)
Ow my gosh, what a sweet story. That is so great that you were able to capture him and return him to his owners. What a happy ending.
What a sassy little thief!
Hi there, just read your comment over on Ruth's blog and I popped over to let you know all is well with Ruth, her computer is on the blink. It has been very frustrating for her as she has been busy with college work too. Anyhow I spoke to her on the phone today and all is well with her. She asked for me to thank you for your concern and sends her best wishes.
Denise
What a wonderful story..the owner must have been so happy to get his pet back. Quite an interesting discovery to see a white ferret.
Thank you for your visit..
Gisela
Good for you for taking care of this fellow and being so kind. You're wonderful. God bless.
Oops! I have not visited this blog since the 13 Feb...and it's now April Fool's Day :)
Thank you to Ruth Welter,Ki, Mrs Nesbitt, Guild-Rez and Sandy Carlson for your comments. I was happy to have returned the little visitor back home, safe and sound, after his little adventure :)
He certainly like to Ferret around eh.
Great post.
Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments.
A warm welcome to our little corner of paradise, Imac. Glad you enjoyed the post :)
Great rescue operation!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
Welcome back, Kari & Kijsa. lovely to see you again. A great outcome, I agree :)
Wow, if I had to choose an unusual post that really made me feel good, this one would be it.
Please, whatever you do, don't visit my blog today (Wednesday) as I lost my mind, I think owing to medicine from my hospital stay, and posted some really gross stuff. I certainly don't want to spoil your day.
Abraham Lincoln in Brookville, Ohio
Welcome back, Abe. I'm so glad this story warmed your heart. It did mine too :)
What a cute little thing! Glad you got him home safely. I think digging and exploring is just what ferrets do. I wonder if ferrets always smell or if he was just scented from his adventure? (As much as I do love animals, I admit I sometimes don't care for the smell of some dogs...)
~ Monica
Welcome back , Garden Faerie. lovely to see you :)
The ferret was a lucky little fellow to come to me and not go to the local farmer who might have taken a pot shot at him :)
Boy. You are lucky to have the cage, the meat, the dinner outside and all the other details to get this small animal inside and safely transported back home. He knows where to come next time.
Thanks for your visit to my blog. I am delighted I came to your blog today.
Hi, Abe. Glad you visited my blog again. Thanks for the compliments :)
Good job!
I've never seen a white ferret before!
Good morning and welcome to our little corner of paradise, Lynda :)
The ferret was a little charmer :)
Oh...I just loved your story! How nice that you knew your little visitor and could corral him and take him back to his home. I think the albino's are just so pretty.
We once had a ferret too. Her name was Cassidy....and we adored her. She was a little rascal though. She'd bite at your toes and run around like a maniac. She was one of the many pets that the kids talked us into. But I have never been sorry that we had any of the little varmits that we called our pets. We loved each and every one! And guess who cleaned up after them?????????
LOL, glad it is returned home safe.. We used to have a ferret. Her name was chewy.. they really are alot of fun.. thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful story! I hope the owners rewarded you.
A warm welcome everyone to our little corner of paradise :)
* Welcome to you, BJ. Great to have your company. The little ferret was wonderfully tame...and a pleasure to re-home :)
* Lovely to meet you, Stacey, and hear about you pet ferret called Chewy...an appropriate name, i think :)
* There was no reward, Iowa Gardening Woman...these are the people whose three cats I look after all year round...as they couldn't care less about them...so I only hope they look after their ferret better than they do their cats :)
Cool!
You handled the intrusion very well! And what a gorgous white ferret. I've never seen one in white before!
Had he been "wild," would you have let him in?
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