In Reply to: Where is everyone??? posted by Mary on March 09, 2000 at 23:02:41:

Usually I just lurk here...but I felt I had to add my comments today. first, I wanted to say that I have found this site to be a great place for information! So many veteran owners who continue to research for their gliders best interests! Where I live, it is so difficult to find new information, and I have to travel close to an hour to find a glider knowledgeable vet. So this board has helped me out greatly. I am very dissapointed to hear that many of the regular posters here are debating leaving. I wanted to relate my experience, even though it is regarding irresponsible ownership of other animals. This has made a big impact on how I feel about responsible glider ownership.

Right now I work as a dog groomer. And I have seen some terrible abuses and neglect, and I know that there is no shortage of information out there regarding dog care. I have seen animals that have such terribly matted hair that it interferes with their vision, constricts movement, and doesn't allow them to urinate or defecate--trapping wastes to their body. I have seen neglect cause horrible skin problems that cause the animal much pain, I have seen dogs that have maggots feeding on weeping sores that were hidden beneath 4 inches of matted fur. I have seen nails that have grown into the bottom of feet, and caused infection.
and when the owners are told about this, their response is always "Oh, I didn't know...". Some are offended if I tell them that they need to care for their pets differently, and that they need veterinary care. They are sometimes upset that they have been made to feel that they are poor owners. But I try to help the animal, and if the owners are offended, I know that I have done all I can. Its heartbreaking, but there are animals who are treated better because of this. These owners could readily have found information regarding the correct care of their pets, but don't. Or someone has told them that they only need to bother to have their pets shave down once yearly, and never brush them in between. There is absolutely no reason that this should occur. But it does, and it sickens me to think about what could happen (and has already happened) to gliders. They have such specialized needs, and so much research and maintenance needed.

I realize that I have gone off of topic (sorry), but the point of this is that I would hope that everyone will stay, and educate owners and save as many glider lives as possible. People are going to get upset if they are told that they aren't meeting their pets needs. But all anyone can do is try to look out for the welfare of the gliders--even if you need to be blunt to get the point across. Sugar coating problems won't help solve them...

There will always be thise who don't want to listen, but please help those you can!

: I know that everyone gets real busy..but gee this place has seemed empty recently. I know there was a roll call recently, but has a lot of people left? I was scrolling dow the post...I seem to be one of the few people actually posting. Just curious if the fate of this board is death...or just a slow period right now?

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