Hello!

I would like some help here... Please...

I'm stalling to wake the girls up for their dreaded nail clipping. I have my slanted nail clippers, check. My tiny bowl of corn starch, check. a large fleece blanket, check. MY extra pouch in case "burrito style" doesn't work out, check. A small bowl with mealies, check. Backup bowl of yoggies in case the mealies don't work, check check...

I remember back awhile ago to all the useful advice I got right here on this forum about nail clipping and many other bits of advise on everything from bonding, intros, cages, cleaning, etc...

And here are two lessons that ring in my head that I would like to share in the order I learned them:

Lesson #1: Keep cornstarch handy no matter how good you are or how many times you've done it when clipping nails.

THe first time you "quick" them, you may panic. By the time you run around the kitchen to find it, pour out a pile on the table, your hands will be shaking so bad and glider in question will be frightened more and joggled around so much they are awake and out of the mood to tolerate this.

Lesson #2: When someone suggests trying something, it doesn't mean it will never ever never work. It just means it didn't work "this time". (Example:I was advised to "distract" the glider with a yoggie or mealie while clipping their nails... I tried it, it didn't work the next 3 times I clipped their nails. But 6 months later, it did...)

So, here is what I need help with (from newbies to seasoned glider people). I would love to hear "The lessons you've learned" from trial and error, or advise you've been given about caring for your glider that sticks in your mind...

This is meant to be fun (and keep me from nail clipping as I type more and more)and constructive. Maybe even new ideas we haven't thought about...

So please help in advance!

That is a good one. What comes to mind here is that if I have an escapee, I am not going to find that glider until it is ready to be found.

Little Gremlins like to have fun first.

No chase no grab...makes for a happy house.

1. Patience & stubbornness will win them over.
2. If rule one fails, bribe them with treats.
3. When the rules 1 & 2 work, know that no matter how you try to prevent it, you are their favorite bathroom.

One of the most important things I've learned in animal care, not just with gliders, is how to say no. I like to put a lot on my plate and have trouble walking away from animals in need. Unless you limit yourself, you can quickly find that people come pouring in with needy animals and you can become overwhelmed.

Right now we're at a point where we have no "rescue" or "foster" animals. All of our animals - regardless of their backgrounds, ranging from responsible breeders to terrible situations - were planned and are permanent residents. I'm able to give everyone proper care and lots of special attention/enrichment without taking away from other aspects of my life.

But I know in the future (as always) I'll be challenged to take in animals in need, and it will be hard to say no. We have a constant stream of stray dogs, orphaned kittens, unwanted exotics and orphaned wildlife brought to us. I don't know why these people gravitate towards me, but I always offer advice, resources and transportation when I can.

It seems like we've always had one or two animals "in transit" from a bad situation to their forever homes. A few examples...bottle baby kittens, a box of guinea pigs left by a dumpster, wildlife needing transport to licensed rehabilitators, countless stray dogs. But we will no longer be open to taking in rescues. We can't save them all, we simply have to focus on giving our own animals the best possible quality of life.

I know it's a more serious topic, but saying no is one of the most important things you can learn as an animal lover.