Wild & Whiskered Rescue took in many rescues before they actually became a rescue. Leonard changed that into an idea for April & Randy Newcity. In February of 2022 April received a call from her friend at the SPCA in Titusville letting her know that there were two ferrets needing help right away. April & Randy did not hesitate to discuss yet another ferret (or two) that needed a home. What’s two more? April & Randy agreed that they needed to pick the two ferrets up & give them a home. This would start Leonard’s story.
Leonard & his sister, Cleopatra, were in a home where their owner moved out & left them there. Thankfully, the mans sister knew he had left the ferrets behind & called the SPCA of Titusville to find out what to do with them & they called April. Once April arrived at the SPCA she fell in love with the handsome sable colored Leonard & Cleopatra with her beautiful long blonde hair & bright blue eyes. They were skinny & seemed quite nervous but they did get excited when April picked them up. They so loved to cuddle & nuzzle on April’s neck. Off to the Nunya Business home which is now Wild & Whiskered Rescue. April & Randy brought them into their home knowing that they would be hospice & would not live much longer but that didn’t deter the Newcity’s from giving them all the love they needed in their final days. There were many nights of no sleep while caring for these two little ones but they finally came around & were, for the most part, healthier. The ten days they were only supposed to be alive for turned into weeks & months & for Cleopatra, 16 months. Unfortunately, in Spring of 2023 Cleopatra succumbed to her cancer, but Leonard went on to live over another year of happiness.
The Newcity’s spent a lot of money getting Leonard the medical help he needed & since ferrets are considered exotics; it was quite costly. The bills kept coming in to help this little guy keep on fighting for his life & the Newcity’s never gave up on him because Leonard was so determined to live, to thrive & to not let the cancer take him just yet! For over a year it was touch n go many times all the way up to happy & playful Leonard. Oh & if a female walked in front of him, he was sure to chase her down. He loved April but he really loved Randy the most. Finally, it got to the point of the medication wasn’t working but Leonard still was not ready to give up. For months he was back & forth to the vet, he needed help to relieve himself of waste & hand fed but the Newcity’s still wouldn’t give up on him because that light in his eyes just wasn’t dimming yet. Leonard wanted to go out on his own terms, not a vet or human’s terms!
June 19, 2024, the final day of Leonard’s life, he was held in his daddy’s (Randy) arms for a couple hours. He put his paw & his head on his daddy’s chest & looked at Randy so lovingly as he took his last breath. He was at peace being held & loved as he should be. What was supposed to be ten days turned into over two years of love! Leonard inspired the Newcity’s to make the rescue official so they can help as many ferrets that they can since there is a need in the immediate area. Wild & Whiskered Rescue was conceived in memory of the great Leonard (Lennie).