Having a bad day...

Lazy-Ferret · 10-02-2015, 20:32

We have a young Albino boy ferret, called Topic, who is a bit special... He will see you walking down the hall, run towards you, and just take a flying leap at you, trying to wrap his paws round your leg... only trouble is, he does not take into account you are moving. So this often results in us feeling very guilty as he ends up hitting our knee if we do not see him, or landing on our heel if we are walking away from him.

The other night, as I got out of the bath and pulled the plug, he literally jumped in, had a swim round until enough water had run away and it was shallow enough for him to touch the bottom, and then set to snorkelling up and down the bath, covering himself in the bubbles... So much for me saying we never bath our ferrets... well I guess it still stands, they now just do it their selves.

Another thing is, he likes to get behind things, and move them, by pushing his back against the wall and his feet against the object. He moves the usual things, like litter trays, and toy boxes, plus other bits, like the bins in the kitchen, and my tool box if it is in his way. We have a drop in gate, made of chip board, so we can segregate the groups at play time, by slotting it in the door way. When it is not in use, it leans against the wall, and he loves to knock it over when it is just leant against the wall. This makes a huge bang, and always scares the life out of us, and the other ferrets.

Now, to the point... We are doing some DIY, re-decorating our bedroom, and fitting sliding wardrobes. After a lot of searching and waiting, we managed to win exactly what we needed off of Ebay. This meant I had to drive 40miles and load five 8'x2'6" heavy glass mirror doors onto the roof of my car. My car is 7' high, before you put the roof rack on, so getting 5 doors onto it is no mean feat. I then drive 40 miles back home, hoping not to break them. I finally got home, and then spent the next hour carefully getting them off the roof one at a time, as that was all I could lift, due to their weight, and moved each one up the stairs. I decided to stand them at the top of the stairs, as this was out the way, but ready for me to fit them the next day. Once I had all 5 upstairs, I wrapped a strap round them, so they were all locked together and checked they were safe. As I could not lift them away from the wall, I decided they were fine.

We then sat down for tea.

Some time later there was the biggest bang, crash and smash you have ever heard. It appears Topic did his trick, and actually managed to move them away from the wall, where all 5 crashed down the stairs as one huge weight, ripping and smashing to bits all the pictures down the stairwell wall, plus taking out a lot of the uprights from the stair banister. There was glass shard every where, and my first concern was if there were any ferrets under the carnage. Luckily the others were all down stairs, and because Topic was behind the doors, he was not hurt, and had just ran and hid in the bedroom. Once we got the stairs cleared, me having to shift these 5 smashed mirrors back outside, we discovered it has also smashed the actual stair treads, and we may have to have a completely new stair case. The good thing was, the mirrors were coated with a film, so most of the glass stayed in place, with in the frames, but the tiny shards and splinters were absolutely every where.

This could be the most expensive wardrobe ever...

Banshee · 10-02-2015, 21:03

Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Clive that sucks!!!! I hope it all works out and it's not too costly

Sweety · 10-02-2015, 21:15

OMG

can see some little ferret going without any pocket money for a while. You could always hire him out for demolition jobs & maybe Rick could use his services on his new job

Would your home insurance cover you for the damage that has happened

solarman216 · 10-02-2015, 21:28

Clive that is seriously bad news, and no I do not need "Topic's" help I got enough problems without a ferret like that, but in spite of it all I bet you love him to bits, I know I would, but where are the pics? Rick

perelaar · 10-02-2015, 21:38

Ouch... I have some experience with animals causing damage or redecorating the house (imagine 2 labradors covered in mud chasing each other through the house, or a labrador with a broken nail spraying blood over your bedroom), but I've never had such a setback.

Hope the little one is OK?

Do go speak to your insurance broker, you never know...

AlexD333 · 10-02-2015, 23:10

I'm not sure what to say about this, so I did some searching....

This is all I could find, it should answer all of your questions...

Lazy-Ferret · 11-02-2015, 00:11

We have already contacted the insurance company, and luckily we have accidental damage cover. There was a lot of laughter when Suz explained a ferret did it, they said it's normally the Great Dane, or Alsation, but they have never had a ferret in the dock before. Luckily the guy next to the one Suz was talking to, also has ferrets, and said he was not in the least bit surprised, he also could not understand why they feel they have to move everything. Hardest part now is finding a Chippy who can either fix what is there, or replace the lot.

The Ferret is still not off the hook though, as we still have a hefty excess to pay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexD333

I'm not sure what to say about this, so I did some searching....

This is all I could find, it should answer all of your questions...

the trouble is, I have 14 all saying the same thing...

Sweety · 11-02-2015, 00:40

If they do a worlds strongest ferret competion think you better get Topic entered ASAP as he could be a gold medal winner

Really feel for you both tho due to all the time you's have spent looking for the right doors, going to get them then a little fur ball go's & trashes everything.If he's not had the snip go & take him for it, that'll teach him

Lazy-Ferret · 11-02-2015, 01:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweety

If they do a worlds strongest ferret competion think you better get Topic entered ASAP as he could be a gold medal winner

Really feel for you both tho due to all the time you's have spent looking for the right doors, going to get them then a little fur ball go's & trashes everything.If he's not had the snip go & take him for it, that'll teach him

Actually that may well be it, he had it done a couple of weeks or so ago... he's getting his revenge.

Lazy-Ferret · 11-02-2015, 02:17

He may be the incredible hulk, but he still plays with girls toys...

johnb5177 · 11-02-2015, 12:08

Clive, so sorry to hear about the damage caused by one little chap, and I hope it all works out ok, and you manage to find another set of doors. I am also pleased he was not hurt by his....experience!

But, I laughed myself off a chair about it...........I mean, come on, one little man causing all that damage.........Who, me?.........outstanding little friends you have there............

10-02-2015, 20:32	#1
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	Having a bad day... We have a young Albino boy ferret, called Topic, who is a bit special... He will see you walking down the hall, run towards you, and just take a flying leap at you, trying to wrap his paws round your leg... only trouble is, he does not take into account you are moving. So this often results in us feeling very guilty as he ends up hitting our knee if we do not see him, or landing on our heel if we are walking away from him. The other night, as I got out of the bath and pulled the plug, he literally jumped in, had a swim round until enough water had run away and it was shallow enough for him to touch the bottom, and then set to snorkelling up and down the bath, covering himself in the bubbles... So much for me saying we never bath our ferrets... well I guess it still stands, they now just do it their selves. Another thing is, he likes to get behind things, and move them, by pushing his back against the wall and his feet against the object. He moves the usual things, like litter trays, and toy boxes, plus other bits, like the bins in the kitchen, and my tool box if it is in his way. We have a drop in gate, made of chip board, so we can segregate the groups at play time, by slotting it in the door way. When it is not in use, it leans against the wall, and he loves to knock it over when it is just leant against the wall. This makes a huge bang, and always scares the life out of us, and the other ferrets. Now, to the point... We are doing some DIY, re-decorating our bedroom, and fitting sliding wardrobes. After a lot of searching and waiting, we managed to win exactly what we needed off of Ebay. This meant I had to drive 40miles and load five 8'x2'6" heavy glass mirror doors onto the roof of my car. My car is 7' high, before you put the roof rack on, so getting 5 doors onto it is no mean feat. I then drive 40 miles back home, hoping not to break them. I finally got home, and then spent the next hour carefully getting them off the roof one at a time, as that was all I could lift, due to their weight, and moved each one up the stairs. I decided to stand them at the top of the stairs, as this was out the way, but ready for me to fit them the next day. Once I had all 5 upstairs, I wrapped a strap round them, so they were all locked together and checked they were safe. As I could not lift them away from the wall, I decided they were fine. We then sat down for tea. Some time later there was the biggest bang, crash and smash you have ever heard. It appears Topic did his trick, and actually managed to move them away from the wall, where all 5 crashed down the stairs as one huge weight, ripping and smashing to bits all the pictures down the stairwell wall, plus taking out a lot of the uprights from the stair banister. There was glass shard every where, and my first concern was if there were any ferrets under the carnage. Luckily the others were all down stairs, and because Topic was behind the doors, he was not hurt, and had just ran and hid in the bedroom. Once we got the stairs cleared, me having to shift these 5 smashed mirrors back outside, we discovered it has also smashed the actual stair treads, and we may have to have a completely new stair case. The good thing was, the mirrors were coated with a film, so most of the glass stayed in place, with in the frames, but the tiny shards and splinters were absolutely every where. This could be the most expensive wardrobe ever...

10-02-2015, 21:03	#2
Banshee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Midlands Vehicle: 04 2.7 SWB Terrano II Van Posts: 13,526	Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Clive that sucks!!!! I hope it all works out and it's not too costly __________________ Moderator 04' Terrano II SE 2.7 TDi SWB Commercial in Silver - Project Thread Toyo Open Country M/T 33's on 10J Steels, Super Strong Steering Job Navara D22 Snorkel, Front LOKKA, Maunal Hubs, EGR Blank TunitII ECU Chip, 3" Body Lift, 2" Suss Lift, Heat Exchanger Black Interior, 3.0 Borg&Beck Clutch, Eckes Heated Fuel Filter 99' Y61 Patrol GR SE 2.8 TD6 LWB in Blue/Silver - Project Thread Engine Transplant - In Progress!!!

10-02-2015, 21:28	#4
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	Clive that is seriously bad news, and no I do not need "Topic's" help I got enough problems without a ferret like that, but in spite of it all I bet you love him to bits, I know I would, but where are the pics? Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

10-02-2015, 21:15	#3
Sweety Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northumberland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI SE LWB Posts: 3,604	OMG can see some little ferret going without any pocket money for a while. You could always hire him out for demolition jobs & maybe Rick could use his services on his new job Would your home insurance cover you for the damage that has happened

10-02-2015, 21:38	#5
perelaar Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Belgium Vehicle: Terrano II 2.7TDi SWB '97 Posts: 802	Ouch... I have some experience with animals causing damage or redecorating the house (imagine 2 labradors covered in mud chasing each other through the house, or a labrador with a broken nail spraying blood over your bedroom), but I've never had such a setback. Hope the little one is OK? Do go speak to your insurance broker, you never know...

11-02-2015, 00:40	#8
Sweety Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northumberland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI SE LWB Posts: 3,604	If they do a worlds strongest ferret competion think you better get Topic entered ASAP as he could be a gold medal winner Really feel for you both tho due to all the time you's have spent looking for the right doors, going to get them then a little fur ball go's & trashes everything.If he's not had the snip go & take him for it, that'll teach him

11-02-2015, 02:17	#10
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	He may be the incredible hulk, but he still plays with girls toys...

11-02-2015, 12:08	#11
johnb5177 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Swansea, S.Wales Vehicle: 02Terrano II 3.0 SVE Auto Posts: 1,586	Clive, so sorry to hear about the damage caused by one little chap, and I hope it all works out ok, and you manage to find another set of doors. I am also pleased he was not hurt by his....experience! But, I laughed myself off a chair about it...........I mean, come on, one little man causing all that damage.........Who, me?.........outstanding little friends you have there............