 | Posted by: | Wardy, wardy@neosoft.com | | Subject: | 2 Stitches in My Face - fearfu | | When: | 8:46 AM, 10 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 129.7.27.22 |
One of my gliders attacked me the other night - had to have two stiches in my face to close the wound - now I'm afraid to go near them. I've had no problems bonding with my two males over the past year - we play every nite for 30-60 minutes and had a great time. The other nite, they were watching me fix their meal, as usual, on the counter when I bent over slightly to scratch my leg. He ran across the countertop, jumped directly at my face and ripped the flesh between the tip of my nose and my lip. Blood everywhere - two stiches to put the skin back in place and now I don't quite know what to do with them. I tried to handle them last night, but I'm just plain afraid and ended up in tears when he bit my finger really hard. I don't know what to do - let them go wild in the cage and just keep them fed or get rid of them or what? We always have a morning playtime before I leave for work, but this morning I just couldn't go near the cage. Not sure what to do - I'm in a lot of pain and am really quite surprised at how deeply this has made me fear the gliders. Now what?
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| Posted by: | Nancy, nsaulmon@skyenet.net | | Subject: | none | | When: | 9:23 AM, 10 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 206.150.216.121 |
Wardy, I am so sorry to hear that happened to you. Being scared after being hurt is very normal and expected! Take a few days breather; just sit near the cage and talk to them. As your face heals, your fear will, too, but like your face, won't ever be quite the same. You may have to backtrack a little, but be patient and kind to yourself. Think of all the people who have been badly injured in auto accidents, and how they struggle to drive again. You'll get through this.
| Posted by: | Wardy, wardy@neosoft.com | | Subject: | Why did you mention auto? | | When: | 9:45 AM, 10 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 129.7.27.22 |
My name happens to be Nancy too, and I WAS involved in an auto accident 15 years ago. Just 10 days before Christmas a hit and run driver killed my little boy and left his 6 year old sister with extensive brain injuries. I WAS driving the car that was hit. It WAS a very long time before I drove again. Who are you and why do I feel like you know me when you can't possibly???
N.
| Posted by: | Kim-, Gliderlove@aol.com | | Subject: | I just gotta say 1 thing.. | | When: | 11:52 AM, 10 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 24.164.5.93 |
Woah!
| Posted by: | Nancy, nsaulmon@skyenet.net | | Subject: | none | | When: | 12:22 PM, 10 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 206.150.216.116 |
This is wierd. I usually just read this board and think, but today I responded to you without hesitation. I am nobody special, but I am an ER nurse, and I see people every day that survive some awful things. (And my sister was struck by a car a few years ago and had PTSS.) I am so sorry to hear of your tragedy with your kids--I can only imagine the trauma you have been through. You are in my prayers. God has been good to me, and I know he grieves with us when bad stuff happens.
| Posted by: | John Derek, jdg716@yahoo.com | | Subject: | Well, I hope to make a point.. | | When: | 1:57 PM, 10 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 204.48.27.130 |
Well, breaking horses and being around them are really hard. I have been kicked, tossed, stomped, stepped on, slammed into things, and bitten quite a bit. Oh, not to mention broken bones.
Showing dogs I have been bit, scratched, knocked over, peed on, barked at, and attacked. I have broken up fights and been in fight on the ground with dogs. Akita's, they are great. LOL
I have three friends off the top of my head that has had their face rearranged in both perfusions. One a dog bit her face, another bit by a horse in the face, and another kicked in the face by a horse. I can show scares and tell stories that would make you never walk near an animal again.
In all this I can also tell you of GREAT times I have spent with some of the most beautiful animals of this planet. I can show you of where I won shows and animals that are now carrying 2-3 year olds around do to ME.
One thing I can tell you is this. No matter who you are, what you are doing, or are around accidents and things can happen. There are ups and downs to everything in life. However, we all have to pick up and move on. I still love ALL animals no matter what has happened. I still love horses and will jump on any one I have a chance to. I still have and am around dogs. Here are some pics of them:
<a href=http://homepage.mac.com/jdg7166996/.Pictures%2Fellie2.jpg>http://homepage.mac.com/jdg7166996/.Pictures%2Fellie2.jpg</a>
<a href=http://homepage.mac.com/jdg7166996/.Pictures%2Fhoganand.jpg>http://homepage.mac.com/jdg7166996/.Pictures%2Fhoganand.jpg</a>
As you can see I have not let things hold me back or down in life. I can list a whole lot of things that has given me reason to jump from the nearest bridge but I have not.
My advice to you is know that your glider did not mean to hurt you and enjoy life and the time you have together. There are so many that fail to love life for what it is. I would, if I were you, go home and do as you always have. Love your gliders and they will love you. You show fear and they are probably confused depending on how close you all were. Otherwise start over either way; don't let the small things in life ruin the possible joys that are yet to come. Just my thoughts...
| Posted by: | Rocki'sMom, babygirl@ccp.com | | Subject: | To the Nancy's | | When: | 5:20 PM, 10 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 216.60.86.81 |
To the Nancy's......I am a firm beleiver that God puts people together for reasons. I have recently gone through a few things myself and there is a lady that posts here and on Glider Central,Her name is Rosie, I beleive God guided us together, we have some very scarey similarities in our families and she helped me a great deal. And I hope that she felt the same connection with me. Anyway, I think maybe you two were supposed to meet like this and maybe you are here to help each other with something. I wish you both the best of luck and know that something good will come to both of you because of your experiences.
| Posted by: | Mary, intr01dc@frank.mtsu.edu | | Subject: | Reason | | When: | 8:56 PM, 10 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 12.77.82.225 |
Can you think of any reason for your glider to do that? Was there a loud noise or somehting. I would wnat to know why the glider attackted you like that. That is not a normal thing. Can you think of anythign that maybe triggered it?
| Posted by: | Dawn, Capriceb@aol.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 10:02 AM, 11 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 205.188.198.54 |
Could it have been just that your glider was trying to jump on your face, or was it truly an "attack"? My female is a "face hugger" -- she jumps directly on my face every time she gets the chance to. When her claws are too long, I have gotten scratched pretty bad (I got a claw hooked into my lower eyelid once, yowch), though no stitches. The skin on a person's face is pretty delicate, and has a lot of capillaries near the surface, so it bleeds a lot. This can be really scary, but perhaps it wasn't an attack? Keeping nails trimmed will prevent serious harm in the future. Also, being body conscious about your face and the proximity to your gliders helps. When I don't want Weezer to jump on my face, I keep my face tilted down about 45 degrees, and make sure that she's at or above the same level as my face -- it's dang near impossible to jump onto that angle. I hope you can overcome this fear. Take it slow. I have a friend who had PTSS after her dog bit her face, and she had a hard time overcoming this also. Taking it very slowly and "one day at a time" is the only thing that got her past it. Good luck and God bless.
Dawn
| Posted by: | CindynZia | | Subject: | none | | When: | 10:28 AM, 11 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 64.12.104.57 |
Well in a way I know where you are coming from. I have a male who is just wild. Now, he trusts me to some extent but not very far. I cant pick him up unless I KNOW its gonna be ok because he has tried to attack me before. Not accidentally but seriously LUNGE at me crabbing. That only happened one time shortly after we moved and he is better now but after that happened i thought he hated me and I didnt know what to do. I didnt want to touch him or even let him out of the cage because I was afraid that I wouldnt be able to catch him. It is something I just had to over come and I believe also that God puts people together to help each other. I know how you feel when you are scared and dont trust your glider. I feel that way alot. Sometimes I am terrified of mine because he is just so mean. But I have faith that in time, he will come around and he has showed a little progress already. I think if you keep him and try to over come this, even if it takes a little while, you will feel much better about yourself in the end for sticking with it. Like John said, there will be just as many if not more great times with your pets, than little mishaps like these. It just takes time, patience, and some effort to trust again but once you do you will be glad you did it. That is the only thing that gets me through the days with Wickett. And his cute little face because I know I am the only person who could possibly care for him since his mate is very bonded to me and I know that he belongs with her, and therefore he belongs with me because i also have the patience to care for him. (He gets pretty out of hand at times.)
I hope you stick with it and time will heal your wounds.
Cindy, Zia, WIckett, and 2 joeys = )
| Posted by: | Wardy, wardy@neosoft.com | | Subject: | Answers to Questions | | When: | 12:03 PM, 11 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 129.7.27.22 |
Thanx, everybody, for the help and support. In answer to some of the questions, I know this: I am certain that Clyde was attacking - first because he bit clear through the skin and tore at it and second he made no attempt to glide to me - he pounced, hit and ran. There were no noises at the time, however I did bend over slightly to scratch the back of my leg and that brought my face closer to the countertop than it was before. Maybe that spooked him. I know I can't just give up on the guys - they still run over to the side of the cage when I walk by, but he still tries to bite me if I even put my hand near the cage to pet them. I checked him out - from a distance - last night looking for any wounds or signs of injury that might have caused him to become so nasty but I can see nothing. I'm going to try just having them loose with me in the den and see what happens. I just hope to god he doesn't go for my face again - I couldn't bear it.
N.
| Posted by: | Mary, intr01dc@frank.mtsu.edu | | Subject: | The Vet | | When: | 2:14 PM, 11 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 12.77.82.236 |
I am sure you know gliders get scarred from sudden movements..so you mayeb moved quickly towards him.
I was wondering if he may be sick or injured or something. I know a lot of anumals will be agressive if they aren't feeling well. I have not ehard thios about gliders, but its true about most any animal. You might wnat to take him to the vet and see if hes okay. I know that won't heal your wounds or your heart any...but if I were you I would deffinitly wnat to know what happened.
| Posted by: | Jim, GREYHOLL@aol.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 9:15 PM, 11 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 152.163.206.183 |
Wardy, I have to tell you that this seems REALLY odd.... I know with dogs that, IF there is a dominance thing, they will get aggresive, also, is there a pregnant female around....Have you brought any new animals into the house...Have you been spending time with different people,...Changed perfumes...shampoo, soap, laundry detergent?????I know gliders pick up on smells, and a change in smells can make them different, I don't know about aggressive...This is what I would do.... Wear a t-shirt ALL DAY....Then tie the arms and the bottome and take out there normal bed......hang this t-shirt in the cage.......I know that this REALLY improved on bonding with our own gliders, and when we brought the girls home, we left them in their own pouch, and they were a little more aggresive, but when we put one of my stinky, worn all day t-shirts, they chilled out abruptly...I am curious, do you have other animals, and WHY would you allow your gliders on your counter....Although they are clean animals, they still pose the threat of carrying disease, and bacteria....You prepare your food on this counter?????I thought we were gross for putting dirty glider dishers in the dishwasher, but NEVER ON THE COUNTER......odd.......Let me know I will help you if I can....I am sensing another animal was around.......
| Posted by: | Jim, GREYHOLL@aol.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 9:22 PM, 11 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 152.163.206.183 |
Wardy, I have to tell you that this seems REALLY odd.... I know with dogs that, IF there is a dominance thing, they will get aggresive, also, is there a pregnant female around....Have you brought any new animals into the house...Have you been spending time with different people,...Changed perfumes...shampoo, soap, laundry detergent?????I know gliders pick up on smells, and a change in smells can make them different, I don't know about aggressive...This is what I would do.... Wear a t-shirt ALL DAY....Then tie the arms and the bottome and take out there normal bed......hang this t-shirt in the cage.......I know that this REALLY improved on bonding with our own gliders, and when we brought the girls home, we left them in their own pouch, and they were a little more aggresive, but when we put one of my stinky, worn all day t-shirts, they chilled out abruptly...I am curious, do you have other animals, and WHY would you allow your gliders on your counter....Although they are clean animals, they still pose the threat of carrying disease, and bacteria....You prepare your food on this counter?????I thought we were gross for putting dirty glider dishers in the dishwasher, but NEVER ON THE COUNTER......odd.......Let me know I will help you if I can....I am sensing another animal was around.......
| Posted by: | Wardy, wardy@neosoft.com | | Subject: | Mud Room Counter...Not Kitchen | | When: | 9:27 AM, 13 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 129.7.27.22 |
Jim,
I prepare the boys' meals on the counter in the mud room, not the kitchen. Sorry if that misled you. I do have two mature malteses, a rabbit, horses and just recently lost our cat to old age. My daughter had been handling puppies at the ranch, but she wasn't around when this happened and I don't let her near the gliders - not anymore . I haven't changed any soaps or met anyone new. The male that attacked is reaching maturing and the other male is not far behind. The vet gave both a clean bill of health. Both will be neutered soon. I have since handled both again and all went well till I put them back in their cage and was adjusting the opening of their pouch while they were playing. Clyde ran down my arm to my hand and bit my hand 3 times, the last time hard enough to draw blood and leave a substantial bruise. I tried to hold still so he wouldn't think he could scare me away, but when he sank his teeth in I had to literally shake him off - he would not let go. I'm at a complete loss here. There was only one thing I could come up with as a possibility. In the auto accident I lost one kidney and some of the use of the other. Occasionally the remaining organ fails a bit and leaves me with toxins in my system that I can't get rid of easily. I've been under the weather with this lately and wonder if the glider can sense the change....who knows?
| Posted by: | Mary, intr01dc@frank.mtsu.edu | | Subject: | Wardy | | When: | 4:17 PM, 13 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 12.77.82.234 |
Gliders especially males can become bitey and more agressive durring their maturity. I am hoping that the neitering will help you out. I have heard of evry sweet gliders suddenly biting durring this time...but never as severe as your bite. So lets just hope that this is a severe hormone problem.
| Posted by: | patty, rehabrn_2000L@yahoo.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 7:05 PM, 14 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 152.163.201.56 |
jim derek...what a beautiful post you had...inspiring too...i could use it for myself...i have two female gliders...one has been showing some aggresive behavior with the other...running at her and jumping at her...crabbing all the while...she never did this even the first day i brought her home...she cuddled with her...the last two days have been better...we'll see...maybe the baby is getting a little older and there is a dominance thing...
Nancy...they may be right about the hormonal thing...was anyone else around the gliders teasing them at any time? we can all say what you should do but ultimately it's up to you...youre the one being bitten...good luck and let us know what happens...
| Posted by: | Lindsay, Heavenonearth442 | | Subject: | Get rid of them?????? | | When: | 10:15 PM, 14 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 216.198.19.219 |
thats the worst thing i have ever heard "maybe i should just ignore them or get rid of them". im sorry but i feel sorry for gliders who get stuck with people like you. Accident happen join the club BUT A GLIDER IS A LIFE LONG COMMITMENT! you cant just not handle them anymore. THEY ARE SOCIAL CREATURES. Before people ever get gliders they should research, research, research! Everybody knows that they can cause injury to their humans and you bought them anyway. do you know what it does to a glider when there over a year old and get taken away from there owner???? Its very STRESSFUL for them and some get so depressed they even die. im sorry for being rude but some one has to look out for the GOOD of the sugar gliders.
| Posted by: | Jim, GREYHOLL@aol.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 11:12 PM, 14 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 205.188.196.57 |
Hello Wardy,
I am truly sorry for your accident and your loss, and I will pray that God can somehow ease the pain of your loss....
Second, about your males.....I have a feeling that this is a MALE dominance thing, and being a male myself I full understand, LOL.......No really, I think that problems lies in the hormonal imbalance, and since you are a female, and you have two males, they have both bonded to YOU, and since they are now becoming mature, they BOTH WANT YOU, I mean they want to have you only, and the other might be in the way.....I know from what you have said that they are not fighting amongst theirselves, but maybe you are the key factor, especially since the one is attacking you.... My suggestion would be to get seperate cages and see how that goes....Try working with them seperatley...Keep the cages close, since they have bonded to each other, and maybe spend some more one on one time with the biter, and see how that goes......someone suggested that you use a horn that you have in your hand and blow it when they bight.....This might be a good suggestion for you, this would be a bycycle horn that you just squeeze and it should scare them....
Don't listen to Lindsay.....YES, sugar gliders are a lifetime commitment, and they do take alot of care, and knowledge, but every book written, and every article and web site, does not cover every situation......Experience however educates us much more.....If Wardy has tried every angle and suggestion, then it is her decision to give up her animal, and sometimes it is for the BEST for the animal and the person to do so< I am NOT suggesting this is the best for THIS situation but it may be the end result.....and I am sure that Wardy would make every effort to find her boy the perfect home.....
After our house fire, our one dog, who was new to us,for about six months here before the fire, she was returned about seven times because of behaviarial reason, she was a problem greyhound, the ones that they usually put down....Anyways she made leaps and bounds before the fire and was calming down, then the fire hit, and she ran back into the fire......She went to a friends house to stay for the months ahead while we sorted our house and the contractors worked.....When we finally returned home she totally freaked out....She tore up new carpet, chewed on furniture pee everywhere, ripped stuff off of walls and totally was stressed out.....We had to make the decision for Kissy that she would be more comforted back where she stayed while we were out of our home.....Reluctantly we made the decision to give her up, and it was a HARD decision, we were really close to her...But now she is relaxed and settled and we are comforted to know she is safe and happy......So NOT all animals fit every circomstance........So it would be all right if she made the decision to let this male go to another home, as long as she did it with his best interest at heart.....I have said enough.....Sorry so long.....Jim
| Posted by: | Wardy, wardy@neosoft.com | | Subject: | Hey, Lindsey- Ease Up! | | When: | 12:59 PM, 15 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 129.7.27.22 |
Lindsey,
Your post is nasty, judgemental and uninformed. I'm not going to waste the bandwidth "defending" myself or my decisions. Suffice it to say you are sadly mis-informed and way off-track.
Jim - thanx for the ideas - you might have something there. I'm having the guys neutered soon as the vet is back in town. I've been handling them both for the past few days and have no reocurrance of problems. In fact, little Clyde jumped on my shoulder last night - I was a wreck but stood really still! He just reached out with his little hand and held my finger for the longest time....it was great!! It looks like everybody's suggestions have helped - I have an old smelly tee shirt in the cage, I've been spending time with Clyde alone and have been very quiet and slow-moving when handling them both. THANX - again - to everybody for the help.
| Posted by: | Jerm | | Subject: | none | | When: | 6:21 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 152.163.201.201 |
  
| Posted by: | Mary, intr01dc@frank.mtsu.edu | | Subject: | Bitting | | When: | 6:31 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 12.77.121.122 |
Its true that gliders bite, and that people should know that before buying the gliders. However if you read the entire thread you will see this is not a "normal" glider attack. I know every few people have been attackted by gliders and had to get stitches. It seems like this was a very serious "arrack", even if the glider was scarred. I do not blame the glider at all...and I also do not blame Wardy. She is obviously trying very hard to get past this. She was being honest about her feelings....she was truly scared of the glider. If someone becomes afraid of their gliders I think it is better to find them a new home then never playing with them again. Wardy however if now trying with them, and is not getting rid of them.
I agree far too many people give up on their gliders and just give them away, but this was a serious attack, and she deserves a little sympathy. This site if for the gliders but there is no reason why we can't also be here for the glider owners.
| Posted by: | Treva, treva_dng@hotmail.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 8:43 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 208.194.214.46 |
Hi wardy sorry to hear what happened. After reading the posts here I remembered last week I was sitting with my gliders... noah and aussie... aussie is with baby and noah is a very calm male.... but this one night my dog happened to come just a little to close to the cage where aussie was and all of a sudden noah lunged at maggie (dog) and if he could have gotten through the cage ohhhhh poor maggie....i'm thinking he was protecting aussie and baby... do you have any females with the male... and if so do you think they are with baby.. just a thought.... hope everything is going well... god bless
| Posted by: | Donna Pearlman, drdp@man.com | | Subject: | To Wardy | | When: | 9:03 PM, 18 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 63.14.78.29 |
Hi Wardy, this is just to let you know that I had a similar experience a few weeks ago with one of my gliders, but I didn't require stitches. I was afraid at first, but not anymore. Continue spending time with them. I think it was an accident. My relationship with my gliders hasn't changed.
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