I’ve been sitting on this for a while, and I need to get it off my chest.
My roommate Dave has an emotional support ferret named Nibbles. But honestly, Nibbles is a nightmare. He bites, destroys things, steals food, and twice he pooped in my bed. Yes, twice. Every time I brought it up to Dave, he’d just shrug it off and say things like, “Nibbles can sense your tension,” or “He’s just reacting to your energy.” He’d always make excuses for his behavior and insist I just needed to be more patient.
I tried. I really did. But it got to the point where I couldn’t live with it anymore. I was constantly stressed, on edge, and I felt like I couldn’t enjoy my own space. So, a few weeks ago, I found a nearly identical ferret for adoption—same breed, same color, almost the same markings. This one (Muffin) was calm, well-behaved, and actually pleasant to be around.
I know this probably sounds crazy, but while Dave was out of town, I made the decision to switch them. I took Nibbles to a rescue that specializes in exotics and brought Muffin home.
It’s been over a month now, and Dave hasn’t noticed. In fact, he’s said things like, “Nibbles is finally calming down,” and “I think he’s really starting to connect with me.” He’s been journaling about their progress, talking about how much they’ve grown together. It honestly feels like he has no idea.
Part of me feels like I did the right thing. The apartment is peaceful now, no one’s been bitten, and Muffin actually seems to be doing a better job as an emotional support animal—he’s easy to live with and doesn’t destroy everything. But now, I’m starting to doubt myself. I took something that was important to him without giving him the chance to decide if it was working or not. I didn’t tell him what I did, and I feel like I violated his trust.
I keep telling myself it was for the best, but the guilt is starting to get to me. I’ve essentially betrayed him, even though I thought I was doing the right thing. I’m not sure what to do now. Should I come clean? Or just leave things as they are?
Comments
Nobody is getting bitten, nobody is shitting in your bed. For your own health, take this secret to the grave.
Did Nibbles have a microchip?
Reminds me of the cat one years ago of a guy who swapped his at the time gf’s asshole cat for a nice one…
Are you gonna marry your roomie?
Lol
Take that guilt, lock it in a heavy chest and bury it DEEEEEEEP!!!
You will take this secret to your grave. Seriously. You will tell noone and you will delete this post.
The fact that he hasn’t noticed kinda makes him a crappy pet parent. But, if he learns that
1- he hasn’t noticed that this is different animal altogether,
2- he has made a fool of himself for X number of weeks/months thinking and talking how his old mean biting nibbler made progress and turned into a likable pet,
3- He’s living with a monster of a roommate (in his eye) who switched his pet AND watch him make a fool of himself
-all of that will destroy him & probably sent him into a deep spiral, most likely cause a huge blow up & a fight between the two of you. If I were him, I’d probably throw some heave stuff at you, at least, there would definitely be violence.
So, forget this ever happened, never mentioned it to anyone. And I mean ANYONE.
“nearly identical ferret up for adoption”
Wtf like is there ferretblackmarket.com?
Choices had to be made, now keep your mouth shut. I would move before I ever told the truth. Confess to a priest if you need to. Your roommate is a weirdo and a jerk for subjecting you to all that BS. Thank God for Muffin!
To the grave with this one man. I’m not saying what you did is necessarily wrong BUT probably shouldn’t ever be spoken aloud.
Wow, lot of people in the comments are assholes. You don’t just switch out someone’s post because you don’t like it. You could find a different place, tell them you don’t want it in your room. This is fucked up.
Take this secret to the grave.
Also, dude hasn’t noticed it’s not the same pet. He’s not as attached as he or you thinks.
I would notice in a heartbeart if one of my pets was switched. Different temperment, markings, scent, different feeling or weight when I hold them, etc.
This is tough..