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Subject: Gliders, Research, Truths, and What do I do nows? Posted by Bourbon on June 15, 1999 at 05:17:04:
I, like many others here, are sick of the posting of giving up gliders for various reasons. Especially bonded ones; however, this is where each and everyone of us is guilty.. We ALL should push research, and letting people know the truths, the commitments, the RESPONSIBILITY, and resposible ownership.. I will get slammed here. I don't care. In just this last month alone, go down and see how many people MUST give up their glider for one reason or another. Did they research? Maybe, did they ever think they would do this? Probably not. So now it gets into the "What do I do now"s?... Kerry said in a past post to Ms. Shell, that she probably is like those of us who think of their gliders like children.. Well they should. It is just as long of a commitment, It is just as much of a responsibilty, and The time of commitment is very very close to those that have children. So why not? I treat each and every one of my animals as if they were my kids, Those that can't look at their gliders the same way, may, be in the same boat as he was later on..Gliders require LOVE, TIME and commitment. If someone researches gliders for 6 months, a year or even longer, then they will know what to expect.. We should ALL do what we must do in order to try to help yet more gliders from being separated from their people. As absurd as this may sound, it isn't. I get slammed a lot for being harsh, uncaring and incompassionate. The fact is that I am just as tired and sick as everyone else is that has heard, read, and seen what I have seen through the years. After over 2 years, Baybe is still as important to me now as she was the day I got her. When I am tired, I still take the time, to be with her. I look at the cage, knowing I should get some sleep, and I know she would rather come out. I have had some tell me , that my biggest downfall is my passion for the gliders. Not just mine, but everyone elses too. When I read these posts, it makes my stomache churn. I know, that there is yet another glider that will loose the home that it has grown to love, whether or not it was bonded to the owner or not. We ourselves had to recently sell a tamed glider, but the circumstances were very different, we didn't tire of her, she wasn't too mean for us, she wasn't the one that wouldn't bond, she didn't bite or nip. She fell in love with a male glider. We didn't go out to find her a new home. She chose the male, as our kids do as they get older.. The decision my daughter had to make was not an easy one. She loved her, spent time with her, tamed her.... But she didn't have the heart to separate them. At 15, my daughter had to make a very, very mature decision to put her gliders feelings above her own..She sees her often, and the pain in (my daughters) eyes is almost unbearable, but the love we see when the two gliders are together is well worth the decision.. We need to try to be honest and not worry about feelings being hurt, if something is said that someone may not want to hear..The FACTS need to be put out there. The real facts, as to what to expect.. Many new owners want a sweet cuddlely baby, In actuality, and looking at the posts here can tell you that.. Is that People have problems bonding with their glider. When that happens they won't want to keep them. It isn't what they expect. You can take a sweet, loving baby from the perfect breeder and give it to a person that expects all the work to be done for them.. Chances are they will make mistakes that will frighten that little baby.. then what? I really don't feel that any glider is unbondable..with LOVE,time and maybe lots of time..I have helped many, many people that were doing all the right things, sometimes all at the same time.. Many of us that has been around awhile each have our own ways.. one is no better than the other, they all require the same things.. consistancy...doing the same things over and over again.. much like those of us here on GG.. We also need to be consistant as to what we tell those that want a glider, or feel "they need a glider" We should then push for research, and TIME.. If they are in a rush for a glider, chances are good, they will also try to RUSH the bonding processes as well..So what do we have.. a place where new people come to find out what they want to know, and some that want to find out ..what they want to hear..The sugar coating of glider ownership needs to be stopped.. When most people are asked about how long it took them to finally bond.. many will say no problem.. going back and seeing where many, many people were in the same boat with having problems.. I guess it is much like having a baby, after a time, the pain doesn't seem like much, the feeling of being uncomfortable is vague, The midnight feeding and crying etc..they all seem like it wasn't much..till it has to be done all over again.. We need to let these people know what it is REALLY like..what to REALLY expect..It is OUR responsibility as Glider owners.. from the hobby breeders, to the rescuers, to the big breeders, to the single glider owners..we all must work together to put out the truths..
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