I would first like to apologize to all who come here. I just haven't felt up to posting, or doing much visiting since Wally's passing. Wally was not 'just a pet', he was a full-fledged member of the family and my side-kick. We miss him soooooo much. He will never be forgotten. I would also like to thank everyone who left condolences in the comments, e-mails, and phone calls. They were a balm to our spirit.
In my quest for succor and solace, I did what any blogger would do (in addition to industrial-strength prayer) ---- I turned to the Web. I posted Wally's story along with a link to The Final Soapbox on a couple of sites. What followed was a bulwark to my faith in God.
Miss Hallie and I had talked several times about filling the void Wally left in our lives, and decided that since Wally was irreplaceable, it was not a good idea. Apparently, God thought differently.
The word 'angel' in the New Testament, is translated from the Koine Greek word 'aggelos', meaning literally, 'messenger'. Angels are not just supernatural beings in heaven; many are walking around the earth in human form. I met one on Saturday night.
When I checked my in-box Saturday around lunchtime, I found an e-mail from a wonderful woman named Miss Teresa. It was a rather lengthy letter that really touched my heart. Miss Teresa, and her husband Mr Pat (along with their six children), do volunteer work in Animal Rescue, and foster several small animals (mostly dogs). She said she had three ferrets of her own, a male and two females. She offered us the male, an approximately 9 month old chubby lil fella named, Moose.
I checked her IP address, and lo and behold, she lives right here in Florissant (North St Louis County), Mo. about 12 minutes from our house. How strange is that? Well, Miss Hallie said, "I thought we talked about this". I told her that since the lady took the time to write such a lengthy touching letter and make such an unselfish offer, the least we could do, is at least go look at him. She agreed.
We arrived about 7:30 PM, and when we saw him, it was love at first sight. Now, the O'Donnell Clan has a new member, Moose. And the O'Donnells have some new friends, Teresa and Pat.
On the short drive back home, I had tears in my eyes. No longer were they tears of pain, but tears of joy. Miss Hallie was sitting next to me playing, and getting acquainted, with Moose; laughing and giggling, sounds I hadn't heard from her in over a week.
When we got home, Pushkin da Pug took an immediate liking to him. They took turns chasing each other around the house, but me and my camera weren't fast enough to catch the action.
After about six hours of checking out everything in the house (a long time for a weasel to stay awake) he headed to our bedroom, to one of Wally's old nests, a bushel basket turned on it's side. After rearranging the bedding some, he crashed; probably from sensory overload. As he laid there, drifting off to sleep, he was looking at me; and I could sense him saying, "I'm gonna help you through this, Bro".
I thank God for the blessing; Miss Teresa for answering His call and stepping up to the plate; and to Moose for being our segue from grief to healing.
Yesterday, as I randomly opened my Bible, it was at Psalm 30. This verse stood out like a neon sign.
For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favour is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
~Psalm 30:5
* Moose is as smart as a whip. He seems to be a Progressive Independent. However, I'm not giving him computer access until I figure out exactly what his political views are.
Morning Has Broken,
Brother Tim
16 comments:
Fantastic Brother!
So glad to hear all this! Moose O'Donnell, love it! So happy for you guys, fate works in mysterious ways huh?
I also think, that moose is a very sweet name and very fitting! And it's great to see how faith works; if you decide /believe something is going to be fine in some way or another, eventually it truely will be!
Even though I can understand what you saw in Wally (he almost seemed to have human features, at least from what I can see from the pictures and a very loving and intelligent personality...), I think it's definitely right to congratulate you both on your new family member! I'm sure you will have many years of happiness together!
Here is something which also has something to do with you:
http://abenteuerskandinavien.blogspot.com/2009/04/interesting-links-interessante-links.html
Hope, you'll enjoy it!
greetings from sunny Scandinavia, sarah sofia
Awww, what can I say? You needed each other, and it happened to turn out so well for all concerned.
Some things are just meant to be. Congratulations to the whole family!
well good lord! :) give the weasel a moment to unpack his bags brother tim :) i realize the tea bag parties are around the corner- but poor moose needs some settle time :) i am very happy for you and miss hallie-- and moose. he got really lucky landing a family like ya'll. :) i look forward to discovering what moose's particular views are- wally's were spot on. he was an irrepressible weasel. hugs.
Jim--
I was thinking......
If I let Moose start posting like Wally did: Will my blog be safe from Palin? She knows where I live. ;)
Sarah--
I am a living testament to the existence of a Living God. He can be known as God; YHWH; Allah; el Shaddai; et al. He is one and the same: Goodness and Love.
Dave--
Thanks, Buddy! Miss Teresa made me feel 10 feet tall when she told me she thought I would be a blessing to Moose, as her situation could not allow him to live cage-free.
I hate cages!!!! No creature should be caged, especially innocent creatures who have done no harm to anyone. If they are a danger to you, or themselves, then they shouldn't be allowed in your home.
The only things caged around here are the cockatiels, and we regularly let them out for free-flying exercise in the house. I am also opposed to wing-clipping. If I could potty-train them, they wouldn't be caged either. :)
We inherited 3 box turles from my mom, who free-roam the basement (they make great insect and bug control agents). One of them, Jippy, my father picked up on the side of the road when I was 3 years old. My mother carted her around for 57 years, and she was no 'spring chicken' when we got her (the turtle, not my mother). The turtles will undoubtably out-live me. :)
Betmo--
lol Your rhetoric always makes me chuckle. I'm a tad apprehensive though, as I explained to Jim in the above comment. :)
I think Moose writing about Palin would be perfect. you could play on that. I think this is a match made in heaven, have fun!
Good for you Brother Tim and although Wally can never be forgotten, you can make more memories with Moose.
Larry--
Goodness abounds. It doesn't need to be sought after, only recognized.
Good to hear things are looking up for you, BT.
out of curiosity...are ferrets/weasels potty-trainable? LIke dogs, or cats?
Wil--
Yes, they are smart and very trainable. People say they use litter boxes, but Wally only wanted to shovel out the litter; he thought it was a play box. We trained him to use newspaper.
In his last home, Moose used a litter box in his cage. When we first brought him home he dumped a pile on the carpet. I picked up the pile and put it on the newspaper, and ever since, he has used the paper without fail. This really surprised me, and is proof of his high inteligence level.
Although we still mourn Wally's passing, we are grateful that Moose is easing the pain.
BTW-- How are things going in India?
Bro Tim,
tried to comment on these posts after reading them earlier but I was mobile. I was sorry for your loss and happy for your gain and both these posts knocked it out of the park. Hope your new friend is a barrel of, umm, weasels.
Marc--
Thanks so much. The little guy meant a lot to me. Although he'll never replace Wally, Moose is turning out to be quite the character.
'Knocked it out of the park'? Coming from a writer of your caliber, that's almost like getting a Pulitzer. :) Thanks again.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, soooooooo cuuuuuuuuuuute!
This makes me want a ferret. I dunno what my Golden Retreiver-mix would do, though. How adorable that your pug loves Moose, too!
Peace, man. God Bless You and your animal-rescues.
Hey Lisa--
We also have a Golden Retreiver. We call her Sadie Mae. Moose aggravates her at times, but she lets him know when he's gone too far.
With 2 dogs, 1 weasel, 2 cockatiels, and 3 box turtles in the basement, I feel like a zookeeper. :)
Brother you are a zoo keeper. I hope things are good at the zoo!
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