Message:

Subject: Re: what are the ups and downs of having a sugar glider?
Posted by W on June 28, 1998 at 23:02:42:

In Reply to: what are the ups and downs of having a sugar glider? posted by cat on June 28, 1998 at 22:49:25:

: I am thinking of getting a sugar glider. I have done alot of research
: on them, but everyone says positive things about them. What are the negatives?
: Thanx to everyone who reads this and responds.
: Daphne/14

: P.S. Which make a better pet; males or females?
: Thanx again

Subject: TO ANYONE LOOKING TO GET THEIR 1st GLIDER..
PLEASE READ THIS ...
Posted by Bourbon on June 25, 1998 at 00:04:25:

Please take the time to research first. Read as much about them as you can
find on the internet. Take the time to talk to people about the problems they
have had with theirs. I made a post awhile back regarding honesty about the
bonding, time, and downfalls. There were some great responses. here is a
copy of the post again so you get a general idea of a few of the problems.
Not intending to rehash old problems, but gliders are adorable, and most of
you looking for one has probably already seen one or heard about one after
all the bonding has taken place. If you don't have the time it takes to research
them, then you probably don't have the time to take care of one. I cannot
stress this enough PLEASE, PLEASE, research. most questions you will
have after getting a glider (if you still decide to) the answers can be found.
You will find many good suggestions and ideas as well as great links to
bookmark for future references.
I am not trying to talk you out of getting a glider but trying to make you
aware of what you may be expecting. Many times the gliders people get are
not nice, sweet, cuddley, and ready to stay with you right off the bat. It
requires a lot of time, patience, perserverance, understanding and love.

here is a piece of a letter a woman sent to me after researching, she wanted
a glider BADDLY, but I told her to research it first : I'll just bet you are so
thrilled and excited. I would put in a bid for a
baby, however, from everything I've read on these darlings, I don't feel
that I could devote enough good time to their care. I would adore having
one, but it seems a bit restrictive for me and I'm afraid the baby would
suffer for it.

Here is a copy of the post from a while back... at the bottom is a link to a
warning page letting you know about the possible downfalls of owning a
glider. When you are done please read as much as you can and really listen
to what people are saying. They have already been there and done that.

When someone writes in and asks about Gliders, it is always nice to tell how
great they are and and how great they can be, but we all should be very
honest with the person asking and let them know everything. Not all of us
have had an easy time at the bonding process and some of us has had really
easy times bonding. The things that new glider owners or people looking for
new gliders should be aware of is all the DOWNFALLS as well. When
Brenda had asked for opinions as to how difficult Gliders were to care for,
NOONE said ANYTHING about biting, or barking. Someone had said
something about nips, and a couple said something about crabbing, but what
about how long it has taken to get to where everyone is now? The trials,
tribulations, and the frustrations of not being able to get near the gliders
sometimes. This whole board is full of ..My GLIDER IS BITING..and other
things that new people are not yet aware of. We shouldn't sugar coat what
some of us had to go through to bond. Some after months still don't feel
bonded. Some after Years hasn't bonded. Not all gliders will bond, some will
more than others. These are facts..we should prsent those facts when asked.
None of us have all the answers, but some people that are asking for our
opinions, are only asking because they see one and think they would be great.
Most new owners I have seen on here EXPECT their gliders to love them
immediatly and start bonding with no problems. We should stress the
downsides as well as the good to keep yet another glider from falling prey to
the fad owners. We can't stop them all but we can TRY to make them
research them further. How would you like to sell your Baby to someone
who has mostly heard good only to find out that person couldn't deal with the
biting, barking, crabbing, rejection, and the time it takes to bond. So you go
check on your baby only to find it in a cage with no human interaction
because the owner is afraid of it. Some of you are saying to yourselves "if
they got it from me I would have checked them out closer" or "I would have
explained more". Well sometimes this is the only place where some gets info,
shouldn't we also let them know the truth? Go back and read all the anwers
to Brendas post BEFORE she got her glider. She was asking if they were
difficult to take care of. That itself should have sent up flags that she needed
to hear the truth. Not that she won't make a great glider owner, but she
should have been made aware of what she was possibly in for. Is bonding
difficult? SOMETIMES. Is raising Gliders difficult? YES SOMETIMES.
WHY? Some bite, and sometimes they bite so hard to draw blood.
SOMETIMES they bark loud enough to wake you in the middle of the night.
What if she doesn't want that? What if she lives in a place where gliders are
not allowed. GLIDERS are great pets.. However; sometimes, the time, isn't
the only problems. I am pretty spoiled I have one of each 1 is docile and
sweet the other WAS a glider from HECK (It took us 4 months to bond with
him with all the problems many here have gone through. I just think we
should be as honest as possible with the bad too. Think of your worst times
during the bonding, let the new people know they are not alone, or let them
know these things are possible. There are too many unwanted gliders that
don't meet their owners expectations. Many times the owners expected their
gliders to be sweet cuddlely and playful. Bonding takes time..They need to
know this. I don't mean to come off high and mighty, there were soooo many
inconsistantcies(sp) with the reponses for Brenda question and the actual
facts of the problems most of you had encountered when you first got your
gliders, through the bonding and even to date.

If after reading all you can as many places as you can, and you decide you
still want one.. I personally along with many others here thank you and wish
you Lots of good luck with your new addition..

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