Howard

I've finally begun taken the steps to find Howard a new home.

This phone number has been in my cellphone's directory for quite some time now, but I've been ignoring its existence out of sheer indecision. I copied it down the night I took him to the vet because he's stopped eating and lost a lot of weight; since then, it's remained uncalled.

The notice the woman had posted on the announcements board said that she takes in "unwanted ferrets". It bothers me to call her about this because he's not an unwanted ferret. I just can't take care of him anylonger without severely impacting my health. My allergies have become so bad that I can't even play with him or give him any kind of attention other than talking to him through the bars. But, he's not unwanted.

Beyond my feelings on what feels like a shirking of responsibility (to me, at any rate), I also just don't want to give him up. I love the creature terribly, as I love all my animals. Giving him to a new home feels wrong to me.

But, I've wembled over this decision for long enough. It's not fair to him. He needs a home where he'll be loved on and have cagemates (he's never been quite the same since Edgar died).

I can't give him that. Not any longer.

I spoke briefly to the woman. She wanted to know what the problem was, his age, his demeanor, what he eats, if he's up to date with his shots, etc. I filled her in on all of that. She told me that she has to check with her partner because they currently have four ferrets, one of whom can't be caged with the other three, and that she would get back to me. In the event that they decide to not take him, she says that one of her co-workers had a pair of ferrets, but recently lost one, and that she may be interested in taking him.

I'm just not happy about this situation, but hands are firmly tied. hoom.