Tuesday, December 27, 2011

1 + 2 = 3

So... guess what?
Our Sugar Glider colony is about to double. We will be bringing home not one, but two little fuzz butts to be at Fiona's beckon call. She's the princess, so of course her two new brothers will have to do her bidding. My dad laughed at me when I said we were getting two joeys. He said,
"good thing they didn't have six; you'd have them all; trying to save the  world."
Mr. K spoke to the breeder this afternoon and she was satisfied that we were well researched Glider owners. Mr. K told her that as soon as we have an appointment scheduled to have the boys neutered, we will be in touch to arrange a date for us to pick them up. Mr. K promptly purchased a second smaller cage to house probably Fiona in order to provide her a space to call her own until she and the two new boys are adequately acquainted. Not to mention, it can serve the purpose of a "hospital cage" if the need ever arises that a Glider needs to be housed by him or her self due to medical issues.
It would seem that we are moving a bit quick since Gus only left us yesterday, but the sooner we have the new boys neutered the better. As well, the sooner they are introduced to Fiona, and to Mr. K and I, the better. They are a bit older than Fiona-about a month-and fast approaching the end of their best bonding period. It's not that they won't bond after this time, but it is most ideal between eight and twelve weeks of age; similar to a puppy.
 There are a few ways to introduce Sugar Gliders to each other, but since all three are babies, there shouldn't be any aggression issues. We've decided to have the boys neutered before introducing them as well to also reduce the likeliness of aggressive behavior. Fiona will stay in the smaller cage since she is by herself and we will place the cages next to each other. That way, they can get used to one another from a distance and once everything is settled-babies are talking to each other and neutering done-we will let them all live together. If the boys were at sexual maturity, then they would have to be housed separately for a month as they could remain fertile. However, these boys shouldn't be at that point just yet and so will be able to live with Fiona sooner rather than later.
So, have we picked names?
The answer is yes.
Mr. K thought it would be a good idea to name them "after the two greatest thinkers of all time," and so they will be named:
Plato and,
 Yoda.
These two boys are not meant to take Gus's place as he was a special little guy, but I know they will fill our lives in their own unique ways and give Fiona the companionship that every Sugar Glider needs to be at his/her happiest.

3 comments:

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Awwwwwww little ones... I can't wait to see pictures!!!

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Hi Jess...Can't wait to meet the new babies.

FANCY the Red Standard Poodle said...

Hi Y'all,

Looking forward to tales of the new guys and the adventures with Fiona and her new brothers.

Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog