Sean and Rocky, my autistic son and his ferret

[jennygrant110]

great video ferrets make great pets

[141kaileigh]

this is amazing

[wolfysluv]

Yes sean got another ferret nam3ed pharos who is deaf. Go to my account and there is adorable and joyful little video of them playing with bubbles a few years back. There are others too that are more recent.

[1320gearhead]

I suffer from severe depression and anxiety and my ferrets are the best thing in my life right now.I also had a little brother who is autistic.he has a hamster and guinea pig.If it werent for my ferrets i think my depression would be far worse.

I got my first ferret to try to give myself something to live for at the time.She died from a cancerous tumor a month after I got her so I know It can be very difficult to lose a ferret.

[wolfysluv]

@1320gearhead Of all of the disorders and handicaps, interestingly, depression and anxiety disorders are THE most helped by ferrets. I hear this countless times. I write for Ferrets magazine, etc, so i do have my finger on the pulse of things and can attest to the fact that you are not alone. thanks for sharing.

[1320gearhead]

@wolfysluv I had no idea.I just thought that ferrets looked like a cool pet.My friend Vern had a ferret and I thought it was pretty cool.I decided I wanted to get one some day.Two years ago I started looking into what it took to raise a ferret and take care of them.I also watched alot of ferret video's on youtube.After i got my fisrt ferret I was hooked.

did your son get another ferret?

[TheDarkAngelDani]

@wolfysluv I'd love a ferret but my partners got a view that their dangerous around children, so we have 4 cats instead lol. They really help with my depression. I think any pet can with the right interaction etc

[wolfysluv]

@TheDarkAngelDani I feel like any pet helps too. This was different cause Sean was dangerous around animals. Pets didn't work. Then this happened! So apparently certain people plus certain animals can equal magic ya know? Ferrets can be "ishy" around newborns. Then after they can sit up, crawl, etc the babies are dangerous to the ferrets too! Lol. I raised my first from newborn up with ferrets with no incident. Cant say the same for a mature iquana I had. Had to rehome.

[wolfysluv]

@TheDarkAngelDan all in all it depends on your attention span and how well you are able to supervise. If you are nervous, dont let the ferret out until the baby is napping or in bed for the night. Remember, puppies and neglected dogs bite, kill, even eat many babies a year. Check the CDC. The ferret community has only found one concrete proven occurance, but it was a ferret and a young womans face. All others you've seen in the news with exception to one, were disproven.

[crimses]

omg i have an autistic friend hes lucky he has soo many friends including me literally his first friend ive known him 10 years yeah its a long struggle some people will never understand

[Prankmonkey]

ahh kk sorry about that ... nice ferret ... what other pets do you have .. i have 2 ferrets getting a third this week ... where do you keep your ferrets?

[wolfysluv]

@Prankmonkey No worries. Three ferrets are a party! Hope you have good times wtih them. I keep them (I have four) in their own room which has a big cage in it. They mostly roam free in the room. Thanks for not being ticked by the way.

[annbaskervill]

This was beautiful. I'm a long-term depression/anxiety person who has owned many ferrets since 1985. They're always good for a laugh & a snuggle - I can see how an autistic child would truly benefit from the love & friendship of a ferret, even though I have no experience with autism. Dear Rocky lived a long life for a ferret - it was probably his love for Sean that kept him going for so long. I'm sorry for your struggles with Sean, but he must be a remarkable young man...Bless your hearts :)

[kgaccount]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with Sean. I know. I know. I'm with ya. You are so right about schools. You are great parents. Hang tough. It gets worse. Then it gets better. Then worse again. Then better. Hang on. It's a long ride, but U WILL make it. Stay close to each other. Don't let anything get in way of your marriage. Your love. Hope. Peace and blessings. Keep in touch. Fellow mom of autistic son.

[wolfysluv]

@kgaccount Thank you so much for generously reaching out. The fact that Sean could live an easy life with todays services, be and do everything he wants .... but doesn't due to his own, Idk ... limits, personality, etc ..is heart wrenching. I never, ever anticipated this turn. He's not at home currently. Legal and "off on his own" so to speak. We're helpless. We'll hang in there though. We are good! Really good and waiting for a better turn of events.

[kgaccount]

@wolfysluv May God bless U with EVERYTHING U need for you child! Always make the argument for him. Document what is needed. Take videos. Whatever it takes to provide "evidence". Do NOT let officals engage you with empty, useless "meetings" where they "talk" about what's needed and then pretend they are "doing something" to address needs. Make the realistic needs come to live.

[two3lights]

I remember this was the first time I had ever heard of Autism. I had 2 ferrets and lived at home, I subscribed to modern ferret of course. Those ferrets are gone of course and my beautiful son now 7 was diagnosed with classic at 2 yo. A few days ago we finally brought home a 8 week old kit. I thought of your Sean and Rocky right away. Funny the things we never forget. I wish you the best and of course for Sean. -many hugs-

[wolfysluv]

@two3lights Wow, that is SO neat. Small world huh? All of us ferret people are family. Ferret people actually supported us more than any other over the years. Thanks for the comment

[two3lights]

@wolfysluv

It is pretty cool ^^ Really? Even though I knew about your story and suspected others do I was very leery of going to a shelter to find one, not knowing if they may think a ferret not right for us since my son isn't the same in public as he is at home usually. He can get pretty unruly at times. Easy to fix, ferret and all the other cages (couple gerbils & bunnies & birds) are locked and play is supervised. He has been outstanding this last week with the ferret we named him Steele.

[two3lights]

@two3lights

He's not afraid of him like he gets if a bunny gets jumpy, he doesn't get mad at him like he does the dogs getting in his way. The little guy starts biting at his toes and he doesn't flip out, he just gets excited and laughs. I'm thrilled so far! The dogs when he was little he used to only be able to fall asleep if he was laying on top of them. Puppy was his first real word. The cat comforts him just by being near him, the calmness. The birds when he was small he would sit in....

[two3lights]

@two3lights

....The cage with them and make sounds like them. Well anyway, the list goes on and on of how animals have helped us I think (and made me insane lol) This ferret may just be the trick for this stage of development for him. I've said since he was young my son Noah is just a giant ferret himself in every way. I should make more ferret friends then :)

[Potsgirl22]

Rocky found one great home with one great owner! Hope you have many more wonder years to come full of happiness together! Animals always help people stay happy even in the hardest times.

[luvngrati2d]

my son has autism and we are considering getting a ferret as a 'working animal' for him... they both play rough and tumble fun and i read you can have any animal certified that provides therapy. they are not as astute as autism dogs, but they dont cost $10,000 either! LOL my son loved our past ferrets. they play alike. thx for sharing!! This was really wonderful to see!!

[wolfysluv]

@luvngrati2d Yah, its a crime what the dogs cost. You know, dogs didn't impact Sean the same as ferrets anyway. I think as an older child, after he emerged some, it would have been different and a dog would have been good. He looked into it and like you said, it just wans't doable (cost being the main one). Rocky came before any org would ever recognize a ferret as a working animal. Shame, he really needed him in public more. But it's diff today thankfully Thanx for the comment!

[luvngrati2d]

@wolfysluv And I just saw a newer vid of your boy! AWESOME! Good work = all your loving efforts have paid back 1000 fold! thank you for sharing!

Also, I think your comment is real on the ferret being better: ferrets TEACH others how to play... they wont just sit quietly on the sideline so they would make great autism pets...they playfully draw anyone in for interaction. perfect for the withdrawn...when he was little my son always lit up when they were out! I def plan to get one certified now!

[wolfysluv]

@luvngrati2d Was it Journey through Autism?? Cause that one shows the whole picture! And I'd not say it paid totally off. In the last few months there have been negative developments. Sean didn't transition to adulthood well despite how normal he became. We're going through hell right now. I have a feeling many of us will go through that since schools only address academics for the most part. They just want these kids to walk through school without being a bother. It creates an illusion.

[wolfysluv]

@wolfysluv I would say go for it with the ferret by the way.

[AsWeGoHomestead]

Totally fantastic and moving video. Many blessings be with you. Thanks for sharing.

[CreekValleyCritters]

Ferrets are really made of God, they are just so wonderful :)

[bclover94]

my brother mikey is autistic.

[Liser25]

this was beautiful, I originally subscribed to your videos because myself and my cocktiel(Steve) LOVE Sunny & all your other amazing birds. But now I come to realize that we don't only have birds in common but I also have an Autistic son. He has a dog thats his best friend along with two cats who think they are human lol

please feel free to subscribe to my channel and check out all my babies! :) Your a wonderful person and mom!

[TubularBelle]

Made me cry, the only thing wrong with ferrets, their lives are too darn short.

[titannikk]

Ferrets can be the perfect pet for the good person. But god ! if only those little angels could live up to 10 years ..

[surfcottage]

This is so beautiful.... thank you !

[JohannaGotTalent41]

Autistic kids seem to have a bound with animals.manie is the unconditional love.beteween them.

[TheCrazyCello]

Oh dear, bit tearful now. You should put a disclaimer in the description! "Ferrets are made of God" - well I've heard people say that ferrets are angels in fuzzy bodies, but yeah they certainly have a spark of the divine...

[NoiNoki]

thats true. it was the first pet i had that gave me a very special deep feeling inside, like your connected to it in a divine way.

[Devdude97]

That was so awesome.

[charlottesmom]

Sean is absolutely adorable!! We have a 12 year old autistic son Zach. We will be getting a ferret in the near future not just for him (I had 2 ferrets years ago (pre kids)), he/she will be a family pet but I think he/she and Zach will get along great.

[wolfysluv]

I'm so excited for you. How fun will that be?! It was great having ferrets before kids, but watching your kids with them is unimaginable fun. :)

I bet your son will benefit greatly from the experience. Good luck and an early congrats

[NykaAriadne]

oh my dear, you have a magnificent son. the light in his eyes is incredible.a spirit child for sure. what a wonderful gift you have given us all by sharing Sean and Rocky:) thank you so much:)

[NMBeauty]

Hey Wolfy, this is Caroline. I just thought I'd drop a line and say hello

[wolfysluv]

Hi hi hi!!!

[julzythedog]

I have Asperger and I have a ferret.

She has given me joy

[wolfysluv]

Youre kidding? Thats is awesome. Little tid-bit: there was an English experiement with autistic and aspie kids. They led everything into a room from a turtle to a human while each one played. They reacted the least to the humans and dogs. And the very, very most to ferrets. I forget what the other good animals were.

[Ferretocious]

It's wonderful to see how much joy Rocky brought to Sean :) If ever there was a reason these little fuzzies should live much, MUCH longer Sean would be it. I hope Pharos learns to fill the big shoes, well, pawprints, left by Rocky.

[wolfysluv]

I won't lie, that relationship had quite a bit of "magic" in it that can't be recreated. Ferrets are still special to Sean and his "therapy" for things.  Pharos is the light (no, literally, that is what his name means lol) of his life. But it's a very "different" relationship. Actually, it's more "normal" ... and I suppose that was the goal in the end, yes?

[smartbluecat]

What a beautiful video!

[ferrets14]

RIP rocky! =[ heart warming video! made me cry!!! i hope sean grows up healthy and happy

[greatestsniperboy]

ROCKEY DIED??????????????

=*(

[wolfysluv]

Yah. We were lucky. As you see in the video, we had a year to say good bye .. we knew he had cancer and was old.

Sean has another ferret named Pharos now who is deaf. It's not the "same", but that animal also is a sort of therapy animal for him.

We'll never forget Rocky!!!

[greatestsniperboy]

they say pets help a cilds autism lighten.

one of the best vids ever 1000000000000000000000/5

[ferretsymposium]

Thanks SO much.

[7hevo1d]

beautyfull video! sooo cute :)

"The best and most beautyfull things in life, cannot be seen, not touched, but are felt in the heart." Helen Keller

[IlaRossetti]

Sean's Mom YOU ARE FANTASTIC!!!! AND LUCKY!!!!!!!!

This lovely video made me cry!!! So lovely!!

I'm very happy to find out there is still people like you!!! I send a big big hug to Sean and his ferrets!!!

[perfect1daysoon]

sweetest video ive seen in a long time!

[CritterCampMom]

beautiful!!!!!

[19940712]

sooo CUTE!

[Sarikoon]

Someone needs to send this to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[wolfysluv]

THANK YOU. Those idiots. All he is listening to is Fish and Game though, you know that. Those ferret people in Cali have given data proving that no domestic ferret pop has ever survived in North America and how long one can live if loose. And they still don't change the laws. Ridiculous. I guess they're scared those bad ole ferrets are gonna eat all the cattle. ::rolling my eyes::

[Sarikoon]

I am from California. I have a neurological disorder. I moved to North Dakota and have 3 ferrets, all care animal identified. Now I take in abused and neglected ferrets, and retrain them for care assitive pets. They gave me so much, and now I am giving back to them. There is nothing so special as to see a child with cancer laugh and play with these little sweet furry friends. Arnold should see that!!!

[wolfysluv]

There have actually been a few ferrets on record for helping those with seizures (smelling/predicting), did you know that? Only a few though. But who knows how common or uncommon it is since it's almost never been considered. There is even a pot belly pig that does that you know.

We've tried various pets with Sean. Just like in some English studies, he reacts best with ferrets. They are not loud, large, in your face, ... they engage you without being intrusive.

[Sarikoon]

I have seizures. So yes I do know that. My friend had a daughter that was born with brain cancer. Having chemo on her brain since birth, put her in an almost vegatative state. The doctors said Tanner had no memory. After 6 visits with my ferret Serenity Tanner reached out and pet her without our help. A week later Tanner rolled over on her own to see where Serenity was going. I watched the Mother break down and cry with Joy. That is when I started my quest. Thank you for your replies. Love

[Sarikoon]

wolfysluv I just realized Sean is the little boy with his ferret in the video. Amazing. Does he have another furry friend? Tell him I love his art work! Beautiful. The ferret in shinning armor. That was Serenity! And now Clementine, Ozzy, and Molly. Molly who has a form of Autism herself is very special. We hope to see more of his ferret artwork.

[wolfysluv]

He is an older teen today. He has a new ferret friend named Pharos (meaning light) and he is deaf. You can see him in my other movies in my account here. Sean has rescued ferrets himself. There is a fun movie of him playing with them to a Frank Sinatra song here as well. Sean wrote a "book" in the fifth grade about warrior ferrets lol. He has not drawn in quite a while though. I wish he would, I'd like to see what he'd come up with now that he is a young man.

[Sarikoon]

Actually I was just watching the other video's. I wish that I had your skill in video. So that I could do that with my daughters and ferrets. My daughter also writes stories, poems, and draws about ferrets.  They have helped her a lot with learning disabilities. Your story is very touching and now my daughters and I are fans. They should get together and write a book,,use the procedes to fund legalizing ferrets in CA & NY. Or funding to give special children special ferrets. Good dream.

[wolfysluv]

Sure is. If I had movie files, photos, etc, I could make a really nice movie for you. Its just so hard to email movies, because they only allow a certain mb. I could make a movie of just photos with music like this one though. If you ever have an idea, something eating terribly at you, you may write me (pm me) and I'll see what I can do.

[Sarikoon]

Something eating at me. I'm bawling. My husband just got off work and I was just sharing our conversation with him. I told him how I would love to have your email so that I could send you photo's and do a story. You answered just as I was saying..I can't stop crying. To have Serenity immortalized like that...I loved her soo much. I miss her soo much. It's like you were just listening to me talk to my husband. How do we get in touch? Safely. Sometimes there is not enough Kleenex.

[Amy4Birds]

Beautiful vid. Touched my heart.

[ferrets14]

Sean + Rocky = Everlasting Friendship <3

[Norokrex]

is the ferret a therapy pet, or just an awesome pet (both is a perfectly good answer, as he is undoubtedly awesome, just curious if he's a therapy pet as well)?

As a side note: this is a beautiful video, an amazing kid and an amazing animal.

[wolfysluv]

Rocky was an awesome pet. But the bond between he and my boy was beautiful and special. Rocky turned into a therapy animal as he helped Sean go places he could not go before, and talk to people he never could talk to before. Rocky eventually was taken to Sean's school as well as other schools to help weekly with life skills, social stories, etc and worked as a therapy animal until he was 5.

[Norokrex]

that is totaly cool.

as a side note: his experience with autism kinda reminds me of the way i've leanred to treat my ADD (obviously nowhere near the same scale) in terms of embracing some of the differnt though

[wolfysluv]

It's interesting to note that a study in England by Dr McNicholus, et al, demonstrated that autistic children acknowledged and responded to ferrets more so than people, dogs, cats, as well as some other animals.

[Abnormaldiversity]

Why is any kind of progress in an Autistic person viewed as 'emerging' from Autism?

I've connected in a similar way with my own pets, but it hasn't made me non-autistic. In fact, it's because I'm autistic that I understand animals so well - just look at all the autistic people who are very connected with animals like Temple Grandin and Dawn Prince-Hughes.

[wolfysluv]

Agreed! Sean is still autistic, and he is proud of it as well as we. But as a small child, he suffered the negative effects. He was very unhappy, he'll tell you. He progress through the years through his own sweat and tears. He improved also because FINALLY the schools wern't scared to say the "A" word, and helped us. Sean was dangerous around animals and babies. Rocky came into his life and he immediately relaxed and he was able to focus on more positive things.

[wolfysluv]

(part 2). He'll tell you Rocky made him feel better from his anxiety, etc, better than anything he tried. As his confidence grew (Rocky went EVERYWHERE with him even to school), so did "he". I'm in NO way here, saying that Rocky "cured" him. Or that he needed to be "cured". I'm not saying ferrets are great for autistic people as a general statement at all. I"m here to say Rocky had a theraputic effect on him that changed his life.

[Norokrex]

that is the best kind of "Therapy pet."seriously cool, what a beautiful relationship.

[TheUglySkybaby]

Your son is beautiful. I worked with autistic children as a volunteer when I was in college. It was an unforgettable experience. I saw so many special children during that year. Your son and this ferret obviously connect. Your photography is great. Is it your father who owns Sunny the cockatiel?

[wolfysluv]

Thank you so much. I wish I could show this video of his therapeutic relationship with Rocky everywhere. I was so lucky to witness it. Thank you so much for viewing it and commenting.

Sunny is owned by my husband (and me). Sean helps care for him as well.

[TheUglySkybaby]

Well, I work in a school, and I will pass it along to all I know. Your house is obviously filled with love. I think Sunny is the cutest thing ever, and I look forward to more videos of him. I think you have been graced by God to have the love in your hearts to handle all of this.  Just look at all the rewards in your life now! Peach and love, Linda

[wolfysluv]

Oh wow. I hope you have fun posting on YouTube. I love it. What a way for the world to reach out and touch one another. Thanks for posting.

[4ray]

you mean, ferret daddy!

[85rexi]

tat was a really nice video!!

[welovestuie]

What a beautiful tribute. It brought a tear to my eye as well.

[popartproductions]

Beautiful! What a great video! Happy New year to Sean and Rocky!!!!!

[vickedlyvic]

They're both beautiful and inspiring. Well done and thank you for sharing!

[anelalia]

That was really wonderful! I started crying halfway through.

[lordnick1575]

omg son is so not a retard he's cool i also own a ferret and he's lucky because normaly ferrets would bite there owner if they kissed the ferret good video

[horsefetherz]

"That best portion of a good man's life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love."

- William Wordsworth

Sean, you obviously learned at a very young age what some adults never know. Thank you for sharing a few of your "Wordsworth moments" with us. God Bless You.

[wolfysluv]

I'll second that!

[CindyLew21]

Your son is beautiful...I need a tissue....

[Botheparrot]

What a sweet video. Thanks!

[Dawna19]

Thats awesome!!!!

[daddyblood]

wow i almos cryed it really dous show u that the love from a pet can give enyone a life wereth living and its true ferrets are made of god.

[BunnyBiscuit]

What a wonderful video! You can tell that Sean and Rocky had an amazing bond!

[Treemeadow]

my heart broke at that last bit...I actually felt that jolt :(

[SmooothieMAP]

I Have, a dog, a poodle, a cockatiel and a fish and share the same realationship

[Syonyk]

That's a very lucky boy, and a very lucky ferret.

[LynziMarie]

oh he loves that ferret alot!!!

I watch an autistic girl and her brother in the summer, and I have seen first hand the amazing connection between her and animals, a young horse in particular...every single time I see them interact, I almost cry, it's so beautiful to see!

It just confirms something I've known all along. Animals will love whomever, no matter what. It's something we can all learn.

[Treemeadow]

I also think that autistic people have the ability to connect with animals on a deeper level, because they interact with them as equals, as members of a shared environment. Look at Temple Grandin (or my brother and I).

Autistic people are not unlike animals, and I mean that in a good way :)

[LynziMarie]

I agree....it's almost something to be envious of.

[res0a47]

Wow this made me cry. Sean I love your video. I have 4 ferrets of mine own and when everything seems to go wrong they will cheer me up really fast. Your Rocky is so beautiful. One of mine ferrets is name Rocky He likes to get his daddies feet in the morning and nipe at them. You are in my prayers God is watching over both of you. God bless Sheila

[misskittyrat]

I am very touched by your film. Sean and Rocky were very lucky to have each other. Both are soooo precious.

[SRPlady]

So precious...

[woodnic]

WOW

Very Nice video and love your story of the love between you and your Pet.My autistic son has a dog and shares a relationship that is very close.just to let you know that your not a retard but a very special child of god.Great job on the video.