We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into the day we decided to bring home a ferret. I should have known when the lanky fur ball bit my nose in the pet store's parking lot.
Still, we carried on, and welcomed nature's slinky into our home. Little did we know that ferrets get into stuff, and steal stuff, and worm their way so thoroughly into your heart. We named our ferret Swiper after the fox on the television show Dora. The fox always stole stuff, and Dora would have to connive a way to get the item back. At least she did. Swiper would steal stuff, and we'd never see it again.
The first thing she stole was a quarter, and stashed it under the chair in the living room. Then she discovered food. People had good food, and a lot of it could be stashed away for later. Things like oatmeal cream pies, crackers, pop tarts, and fruit loops, which she stashed behind the refrigerator. She also loved chocolate milk, and she'd be in your cup before you could say Nesquick.
Swiper would also play with the kids when they sat down with their toys. She loved to dig in the basket of army men. I don't know what she was digging for though, exactly. One time the boys caught her heading into my room with a bag of Leggos.
One day I'd left each of my children a wrapped oatmeal cream pie as a treat before I headed out to work. Sometime later, my daughter called me and asked if she could have another pie, as hers was missing. Months later, I found it next to my bed when Swiper had done some housekeeping.
Swiper was really interactive with our family. She enjoyed spending time with us, and getting into the middle of whatever we were doing. She especially loved to attack our feet so we would giver her fruit loops, her favorite treat.
Ferrets have two speeds-full steam ahead and sleep. They play hard, and they sleep hard. When Swiper would tire, she would find a warm place and curl up to sleep. Often times, she'd curl up in a dresser drawer, but she also found comfort in our beds. That would lead to quickly hopping up when you sat on the bed and discovered a warm little lump. She'd also sleep in our linen closet. Occasionally she'd curl up in a kitchen drawer. How could it be comfortable to sleep in measuring cups and utensils?
Our dog Reno became very adept at finding Swiper when she did this. We liked to put her up before we left, and when we retired at night. Unfortunately, sometimes she hid so well Reno couldn't find her. Then, Swiper would wake up about 3 am, and expect us to play! She'd lick our ears, and stick her whiskers in our noses.
Our son Matt would hold her on his shoulder, and talk to her while they walked around the house. I'd go over and we'd touch noses while he had her. One time I did this, and she sneezed in my face.
Swiper was a darling, and a pet like no other. I'll never forget her, she taught us so much. Most of all, never underestimate a ferret. Miss you sweetie, thank you for all the years of love, friendship, and laughter you gave us. Sleep well Swiper, we love you.
Chela
