Eulogy: Kieron – My Ferret

Kieron in her house.

Note to Readers: If you couldn’t tell by the title, this is NOT a video game post. My ferret died late last night and since I fancy myself a writer, she deserves the attention.

Kieron was a typical ferret. She lived to play, eat, poop and sleep. Not necessarily in that order. She was agile, making her an accomplished acrobat, daredevil, shoulder walker, and long-distance leaper. Tackling friends, burrowing, collecting tennis balls, popping balloons to rattle her brain, climbing pantlegs and the occasional hunts were her favored activities. She was cunning, deceptively strong and smart enough to release herself from countless cages. Like many of her ilk, Kieron was never satisfied with knowing the immediate area. The small sable had a penchant for lapping up beer, was a ruthless explorer, dangerously curious, without fear and the alpha ferret of the business.

But she was anything but typical to me. Kieron was my first act of independence and responsibility. I’d always wanted a ferret, and as a new college graduate with a steady job, I had the financial and mental stability to make it a reality. When I got to the pet store, I didn’t chose her, as much as she chose me. Of the dozens of ferrets to answer the call of an opening cage, she was the only monster to explore, rather than nip. She became my pet. I bought her, and while many people cared for her, she was my responsibility.

Kieron, I hope I did right by you. I hope you led a fun and fulfilling life. I wish I could have nursed you back to health, spent more time with you, but I am glad I was there with you in the end. You were always there for me when I needed you. You’ll be sorely missed by humans and Cloud, Aurora and Gambit alike.

At just over five and a half, Kieron succumbed to dehydration, as a result of presumed Renal (kidney) failure. She passed away peacefully in my arms just before midnight on February 23. She’s interred with some of our favorite toys and a last batch of treats on a bed of flowers.

This gallery will grow as I rediscover more pictures of her.