Heartbreaking tale of the forlorn ferret

Harriet the ferret was left feeling lonesome after her newfound friend returned home to her rightful owners in Lincoln.

Harriet thought she had found a friend for life when Pickles, the albino ferret, became the latest addition to the family household.

Harriet's owner Becky Crow (28) adopted Pickles from Weirfield Animal Hospital, Lincoln, and couldn't wait to take him back to her home in Birchwood.

"I adopted her on Sunday, August 17, and introduced her to Harriet the same day." said Miss Crow.

"I've been searching for months to find a stray ferret, so I was really excited when I heard about Pickles.

"They had a rocky start but they became more acquainted as they spent more time together."

But Pickles had escaped from her home in St Faith's Street, Lincoln, on August 10. Owners Sharon Bateman and her nine-year-old son Matthew contacted the Echo and made an emotional appeal for her return.

Miss Crow saw their plea in the Echo on August 20. She said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw the article in the Echo. I thought that it must be the same ferret because it described an albino with white fur and pink eyes.

"I rang up straight away and drove to their house. Matthew pressed his face against my car window and shouted, 'It's Pickles!'

"I was quite upset to lose Pickles, even after such a short length of time.

"They didn't have chance to build a strong bond but Harriet is still sad to have lost her companion."

Find out more about the ferrets in Tuesday's Lincolnshire Echo