[Introduction written July, 2001]

L'il Grunt... there's not enough Internet to talk all about L'il Grunt. Okay, so we aren't allowed to have favorites, right? Well, I love all of my ferrets with all of my heart. But L'il Grunt is my "most special boy." Even if that's against the rules :)

L'il Grunt and his "brother," Kerplunk, came to me in an unusual way. My friends Chris and Tara (directors of Planned Ferrethood, the Westmoreland County branch of the PFRA) wanted to find a special gift to give me for my wedding. They knew that most of my personal ferrets were older, and that I was dealing with some tough stuff with sheltering, and they thought that two baby ferrets would bring a lot of joy and fun into my life. They were right! L'il Grunt and Kerplunk have been with me since they were little tiny eight week old balls of fur. They were so bad! I was used to mild-mannered older ferrets, and these two, they just kept me on my toes.

L'il Grunt got his name on the first day he was with me. I brought the two of them home for the first time and took them up to their new ferret room. I put Kerplunk down, and he was tearing all around the room. L'il Grunt, though, was different. From the first time that I picked him up, I thought to myself, this one will be a momma's boy. He was completely content to be in my arms. I figured when I brought him home, he'd want nothing to do with me... but I tried to put him down on the floor, and he cried this horrible, sad "waaahhhh" as soon as I let him go. So I picked him back up, and he nestled into my arm, and was fine. A few minutes later, I tried again to put him down to play, but he started to cry again as soon as I put him down! For the rest of the night, everywhere I went, he came along. Even to the bathroom, I couldn't even put him down for long enough to get some privacy! I didn't mind, though - I fell in love with L'il Grunt from that very first moment. Even though he became more independent and would play and run and dook like a normal ferret, if I entered the room, he was right there, waiting to be picked up by me. If I reach my arm down, he will stand on his hind legs and wrap his little paws around my arm and hold on, and I can pull my arm up and he will still be holding on. He then climbs up and showers me with kisses after kisses after kisses - he is such a kissy boy!

What is it that makes L'il Grunt different than the rest? I haven't got a clue. Well, maybe I do. I love all of my ferrets, and I know that they all love me. But it's different with L'il Grunt. The other ferrets love me because I feed them, and give them toys, and play with them. L'il Grunt just sort of has this unconditional love. I see it in his big round eyes - when I come in the room, he knows I'm there, and all that matters to him is that I pick him up and love him. He's not looking for toys or treats - just Mommy. I don't have to ask Grunt for kisses - he will reach and stretch and climb to get to my face to shower me with kisses. He is just so, so awesome.

L'il Grunt is a lover, not a fighter. I call him Switzerland, because he is the one ferret that I can use to 'try out' on other ferrets. When I was sheltering, and needed to find out if a new ferret coming into the shelter would get along with others, I always tried that new ferret with L'il Grunt. He would never, ever be confrontational, and he didn't intimidate other ferrets. Of course, sometimes he got pummeled for that by bullies I tried him with... but I would rescue him immediately and he'd crawl up on my shoulder and hide in my hair and still give me kisses. He's never met a ferret he wouldn't try to get along with. He's a gentle, sweet, adorable soul.

My L'il Grunt will turn four this October... where did the time go? I'm having serious Mommy issues with him getting older. He's had two serious illnesses this year alone that took their toll on him. The first was apparently a bout with cocci bacteria, and the second, a suspected hairball blockage treated with a laxative (the vet wanted to try this before doing surgery). He recovered both times, but it put into perspective to me that he's not always going to be with me. Yeah, my head always knew that, but my heart... well, if you're a ferret owner, and you love a ferret, you know what I mean. And I know that he's not 'over the hill' or anything, but I'm still going to love him every day like this is his last. Have you hugged your ferret today?? :)

See more pictures of L'il Grunt!