Dishwasher ferret hazard

My wife was putting detergent in the dishwasher and was about to start
the dishwasher when she heard our newest ferret "Dora" clawing around
inside. Thank goodness she heard her I shudder to think what would
have happened. This will be an incentive to unload it imediately and
close it instead of leaving it half open and grabbing tableware out of
it as needed.

We are new to ferrets and haven't figured out all the dangers in our
house yet. I have read about the most common problems such as
recliners and undigestable edible but han't considered this one yet. I
hope my posting about this close call raises a red flag ifor everyone
else.

"My Name is Legion" <coyote.TakeThisOut@trickster.org> wrote in message
news:4vmb03l9p8uncp5u27pebceob13lck70v1@4ax.com...
> My wife was putting detergent in the dishwasher and was
> about to start the dishwasher when she heard our newest
> ferret "Dora" clawing around inside. Thank goodness she
> heard her I shudder to think what would have happened.

I know what you mean. Our first ferret was caught in a toilet paper tube,
trapped inside a recliner for a day, and has tried many times to get into
the fridge or out the front door. He actually made it outside several
times, but we always found him, so now we lock the doors when the ferrets
are out. We used to have a `knock, identify yourself, and come on in'
approach with people we know well; but now anyone wanting to come in when
the furries are out has to knock and wait for us. Luckily, our family and
friends understand the routine and don't get offended.

Our second ferret did actually escape during the time we were working out
the 'lock the door rule'; but was luckily Tyke was turned into the humane
society ~and~ a local radio station reported that a ferret was found in our
area... A neighbor came over and informed us, thank God, so we knew to stop
tearing apart the house and call the HS. A $10 recovery fee that was well
spent.

Then we moved out of state for a short time and lived in an apartment
complex for a few months during the summer. With no air conditioning we had
windows open a lot and assumed that the window screens were enough. Except
that three times neighbors had to return one or both of our ferrets to us
(it wasn't a large complex and it seemed the news traveled fast that we were
the first tenants to be allowed ferrets, so many people knew who the furries
belonged to). At first, we thought that we were being lazy about locking
all the doors, but finally figured out that one of the screens had a slit in
the bottom. We didn't realize it until the large bush growing right outside
said window was pushing it in at one of the bottom corners and then realized
why the ferrets played so much in that particular room. They'd found the
the tear in the screen, would climb out the window onto the bush, and go
visiting.

When returned home, we experienced real trauma. Our second ferret developed
a tumor and died. Eventually we got a new buddy for the remaining ferret
and things worked out great for about three months. Then my daughter
brought home a new puppy, and puppy and furry developed a game. Angel would
hide under my recliner/rocker and tease puppy. Stick the nose out and pull
it back. After a while puppy would go in search of the other ferret and
then Angel would wander out and do something else until the chair game was
back again.

Unfortunately, this puppy was still in the process of being potty-trained,
and I was the main trainer. When puppy would squat, I'd burst out of my
chair and immediately run dog outside to do her business. Normally, when
the ferrets were out, I'd put a tennis ball under a front corner of my chair
to prevent the chair from crashing down if I had to leap out suddenly, but
that night I just plain forgot. I have nothing that I can offer as a
mitigating circumstance, I was just plain forgetful. As you have probably
surmised by now, puppy went to pee, I crashed out of my chair, and crushed
poor Angel's head when I was getting up. This was an awful experience for
my kids, I felt so much guilt, and poor lovable Angel died instantly.

The only other pets I've ever had to put down were taken to the vet and done
humanely, and I still hated it. The regret I feel over causing Angels death
is only somewhat mitigated by the probability that Angel died too suddenly
to feel pain or fear; and the understanding and forgiveness my children have
given me.

So keep alert, think ahead of what can happen, and enjoy your pet/s. If
something happens that you had no control of, forgive yourself; but if you
find you made a mistake, learn your lesson, and share it with others. It's
the best we can do for our wonderful, loving, charming, ferrets.