Round table with Remus, Obi, and Sadie. Part 3

 Welcome back to part three and the final chapter of our roundtable discussions on a very special Tonks Talk. We also want to thank you for your patience as we missed last week's episode. I will let the ladies explain.

Mina, Tonks, and Remus from left to right.

Tonks. Hello everyone, and welcome back to Tonks Talk. Today we would like to wrap up our "round table" discussions, but first, we must discuss the last couple of weeks. (Tonks' eyes start to tear up as she continues.) Mina went to the hospital, and Mommy and Daddy weren't sure if she would make it out. Mina, I just can't say how happy I am to have you as my sister.

(Mina wipes tears, then locks eyes with Tonks. Even though no words are said, everyone in the room can feel the love and strong bond pass between them.)

M. Things were very close. I wasn't sure I would get to see any of you again.

T. I was so worried. Do you mind sharing what happened and what you are going through?

M. Not at all. For all of you that don't know, I was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma. Getting to the diagnosis and then for a bit after was rough. 

T. Daddy said, looking back now, he saw some warning signs but had ignored them because we all have been so healthy, and our young age. He had just become complacent.

M. It wasn't all daddy's fault, as I also had a hand in that. I didn't want to bother anyone when I started feeling sick, so I just hid the fact that I wasn't feeling well. Daddy didn't notice that I had stopped eating and drinking, which is when my health went downhill fast. 

T. We all know how fast a ferret's health can go downhill. So, why don't you walk us through what happened?

M. Of course. So a few weeks ago, I started feeling a little more tired than usual and losing some weight. At this point, I was just sleeping more often, and Daddy and I thought I was just losing my "baby fat," which I was. 

T. I thought the same thing, but I also lost my baby fat around that time. 

M. Unlike you, though, I didn't stop losing weight. Then a couple weeks ago, I started feeling really sick and stopped eating and drinking. That happened to be the day before daddy's weekend, so I didn't have to return to my cage. This allowed me to hide, but unfortunately meant I was really sick by the time Daddy saw me. He thought I had been doing everything as usual. 

T. Daddy is borderline annoying about bothering us now. I swear, the only time I can get a good rest is when he is sleeping or at work. (both girls laugh)

Mina Tulip

M. I know precisely what you mean. Daddy wakes me for soupie about every three hours. 

T. At least you are getting a wide variety. But, of course, I enjoy a few of those other soups as well. I especially like the rabbit. So what happened next?

M. I didn't realize how sick I was until halfway through the weekend. But unfortunately, by this time, I didn't have the energy to get up. So when Daddy found me and put his hands on me Sunday, he called Mommy and told her there was an emergency and that he needed her at the house immediately. Mommy was away pet/house sitting in another town. When Mommy arrived, they gave me fluids and put me through blockage protocol. 

T. Eeeew, does that mean you ate some Poopin' Pumpkin? https://www.etsy.com/listing/540155951/poopin-pumpkin-pet-ferret-cat-dog Did it hurt when they gave you fluids?

M. I did eat some of that, and no, I didn't like it. Getting the fluids hurt a little, but because I was scared and not feeling well, I fought against it quite a bit which meant Daddy had to poke me with the needle several times. Daddy kept saying he wished he had a butterfly, but I don't know what a butterfly would have done. They are pretty and all, but how can they help? (When he reads this on his screen, Remus lets out a snort of laughter and everyone turns to look at him. Then, under the scrutiny, Remus speaks up.)

Remus. Sorry, I found the butterfly comment funny. Daddy wasn't referring to the insect but a type of needle. Butterfly needles have little wings on each side, giving you much better control. It also makes it easier to manage if the patient squirms. 

(Everyone continues to stare at Remus for a few seconds. Then, finally, he breaks the silence again.)

R. I read up on them after I saw them while I was looking through Mommy and Daddy's medical kit. Have you guys looked through that box to see what all they have? There is

(Remus is cut off when Obi utters a "Nerd" from the other side of the table. Everyone laughs, and Remus realizes he was going off on one of his tangents, and he blushes.)

R. I guess I could have just left it at the butterfly. Sorry to interrupt.

(After the laughter dies down, Mina continues.)

M. Daddy watched me closely for a bit after that and then decided I needed to go to the emergency room, but when we got there, they said they couldn't do anything for me as they didn't have an Exotic Vet. Daddy was so angry. He and Mommy talked on the phone, and they decided to get me into a different emergency Vet as soon as they opened. 

T. Did he yell?

M. No. he got quiet. I know there were many things he wanted to say, but he didn't. When he called Mommy to tell her, he said they didn't need an F'n exotic Vet to give me fluids and stabilize me until an Exotic Vet arrived. Daddy thought I still had a blockage, so he watched me all night. Every half-hour or so, he would massage my tummy, hoping to break free any blockage. 

The following day Mommy had me at the Vet before they opened. They were able to get me in right away. We did x-rays and other tests. Then they did exploratory surgery looking for blockages or anything else wrong. This is when they found the issue with my Lymph nodes and that I actually had cancer. 

(Everyone is silent as no one but Mina, Mommy, and Daddy knows what had happened at the Vet.)

M. Even though you know the rest, I'll share what else has happened with our readers. Since I had major surgery, the Vet said I had to stay confined for at least a week with very little activity. On the first day, I was so tired that I didn't care and slept except when Daddy would wake me so I could eat. Daddy fed me a very wet soupie every hour. His goal was to hydrate while getting calories in me as fast as possible. I was also getting an elemental diet to help with that. He said they wouldn't have to poke me with more needles if they could get my hydration up that way.

Mina Tulip

 

T. So much to go through. How did you convince Daddy to let me in the cage?

M. (Mina laughs.) I didn't have to. He did that all on his own. He said he didn't like me being alone and felt I would recover quickly if I had my BFF. Since then, I have gone to work with Mommy, and I'm also glad that Mommy lets you come along. When Daddy is home, he watches and checks up on me often. He makes fresh Soupie for me every 3 hours and ensures I eat some. He said it is vital to get my weight up. I also take particular medication every morning and some supplements. 

Slowly, Daddy is letting me have more time out of the cage, but he says I still have to stay the night in there for another week or so. At least you get to stay with me. 

T. Daddy's new motto is that you and I should never be apart again. What kinds of soupies have you been getting?

M. Same brand as our Chicken flavor. Stella and Chewy Freeze-dried cat blend. https://www.stellaandchewys.com/cat-food/freeze-dried-raw-cat-food/.

I have been getting the Rabbit, Duck, turkey, and salmon/cod flavors along with the chicken. I think Turkey and Rabbit are my favorites. Of course, Daddy always puts a small splash of salmon oil as extra calories and flavoring. 

T. Speaking of Soupie, it must be that time. (Tonks pauses as Meg brings in a small bowl for Mina. Mina sniffs it quickly to see what kind she has.)

M. Salmon and Cod. (Remus moans about feeling hungry, and Tonks turns her attention to everyone else for a few minutes.)

T. While Mina is enjoying her second breakfast, why don't we go through the last couple of questions? Obi, you first. What would you go for if you could have any superpower for a day?

Obi. I think I would want to be able to survive in space. Then I would fly to and explore the moon. 

T. That sounds amazing and definitely not what I expected to hear. Would you try to visit any other planets or just the moon?

O. If I could, I would explore as far as possible before my life ended. But who knows, with no one to pick on, I think it would get boring. 

T. Heaven forbid you go a day without pulling a prank. (Tonks rolls her eyes, and Obi chuckles.)

T. Sadie, your turn. What would you choose?

Sadie. Hmm, I think I would like to be able to turn invisible. That way, I can hide from you brats and get some sleep. Oh, stay out of my sleepy sack, you kids. (Obi grins, but Remus, Mina, and Tonks stare at Sadie to see if she is joking, but she gives nothing away other than a slight twitch of her left eye, which goes unnoticed.)

T. (Apprehensively) Was there anything else you would like to add?

S. I think I would also like to fly. That way, I wouldn't have to run to keep up with Daddy. (at this, everyone laughs.)

T. Remus, How about you? What superpower would you want?

R. I would like to be a librarian with the ability to speed read at a record pace. (Obi mumbles something and then starts laughing, as does Sadie. Tonks shakes her head in mock shame while Mina, now finished with her soup, starts to catch up on the conversation by reading the text on the tablet. When finished, Mina looks up at Remus and grins. Remus looks back at Obi.) I'll have you know that it is because of reading that we know about Mina's Cancer and how to help her. 

Mina Tulip

O. I'm not against reading. I read when I have to. But, unlike you, I don't feel the need to do it every waking moment. 

R. (Mumbling.) And that's why I'll leave you behind.

O. What was that?

R. I said, I wish this came in a stein. (Remus takes a sip of his salmon oil. Tonks' eye twitches as she watches on, fighting back a smile, and Mina covers her mouth while feigning a cough. Obi looks around bewildered but gives no indication he knows he's being pranked. Tonks breaks the silence.)

T. How about you, Mina? What superpower would you want, and what would you want to be?

M. The ability to run so fast it seems like I teleport to a new location. That has nothing to do with what job I want, though. I would like to be a psychiatrist that was an expert in all forms of mental illness. (Obi lets out a snort of laughter. Mina turns to look at Obi.) At least some of us prefer not to be selfish and try to give back wherever and whenever we can.

O. (looking wounded.) I'm always giving back by helping Daddy do things around the house.

T. Punishments don't count. (At this, Obi shuts up because he knows he's been had. Meanwhile, everyone else lets out a roar of laughter.) Mina, are you ready? 

M. Yep, so how about you? What would you be? (Mina asks this with a smile and a wink as she figures she already knows the answer.)

T. I know how bad it sounds, but I would be me. I have a dream life. I co-host a talk show and meet tons of other amazing animals and people. Daddy is going to help me become an internet star like Miss Tilly. Plus, I have the best sister. I'm sorry about your cancer. (Tonks wipes her eyes as Mina sweeps her up in a giant hug. Both girls start laughing until Daddy clears his throat.)

D. Don't worry. You ladies have a lot of time ahead of you. This is why I cautioned against doing the show so soon. Are you going to be ok? (Tonks and Mina nod, wipe their tears, and sit back down. Mina gives Daddy a second nod to indicate she is ready.)

M. Tonks, let's start with you. If you could travel in time, where would you go?

T. I would visit ancient Egypt and hunt rats in the newly built pyramids.

Mina Tulip

M. Fun. Sadie, what about you? where would you visit? 

S. I would go back to the time of the Black Plague. I would want to be on a team of rat hunters. 

M. (Clapping) Love it. Remus, what about you? 

R. Hmmm. hard one. We live at a time when we have all the information at our fingertips. Maybe Ancient Greece. Be a ratter at some of the temples where the most extraordinary minds used to frequent. 

M. (With a short chuckle, Mina turns towards Obi, dreading his answer.) And you, oh Mighty one? Where would you go?

O. I have a couple whens I would travel to. But, first, I would travel back to when life was beginning, and all the creatures were tiny. Then I would march around roaring like a giant. (Mina facepaws, regretting she ever asked the question.) Then I would travel back to the trade heights through the Caribbean to be a ratter on a pirate ship. I would also bring the eye patch into style. 

(Mina Shakes her head, Tonks laughs, Remus stares at Obi, and Sadie proceeds to ignore the uproar and feast on some snacks.)

Tonks. Well, that is going to be a wrap on our Round Table discussions. Thank you for reading, everyone, and we hope you enjoyed it. Join us next week on another episode of Tonks talk. 

Daddy. First off, Thank you for joining us, and I hope you enjoyed getting to know our ferrets a little more. I need animals to interview. Please let me know if you would like me to write something up for your pets. I am not limited to the interview type format. That's right. I would write your pets into some sort of adventure using their personality as much as possible. I do this to make it seem as plausible as possible. Each adventure/story would be unique and something to remember them by long after they have passed. Of course, one or more of my animals would be included, depending on the story and the number of characters needed. 

Shady Sadie

Tonks

Remus

Obi