Brandy Diva is sooo pretty! You probably feel how I did when I first got Shadow! He was my dream baby and I just wanted to pet him so bad! And he was just not having it.
I had to wait forever just to touch him.

I had had him about one month when Bourbon started with me and within days we had made more progress than in that whole month. Just amazing.

You all are doing so great!!! Isn't it amazing to hold your babies in your hands. I was hoping someday, but thought it would take years! Keep the pictures coming

nancy you did fine, you have yourself some great babies, and you did it, that is all that matters. never regret what could have been, be happy for what is.

Nancy PM me pics of my grandbaby sometime! I want to see! sounds handsome

Ok, it's not just white gliders that look purty surrounded by red. Ranger looks so adorable peeking out from your hoodie!

Bourbon, I had Bella on me all day today. When she was sitting in my shirt pocket and looked up at me, I saw what you described in Baybe. I see an unconditional love. It is amazing!

Today went AMAZING! The picture speaks for itself!!!!

Oh man Brandy...



I U!

Day 7: Things are going pretty good. Bourbon is helping me to move out of MY comfort zone. Yes yes, trying to pick up Emma now. Got bit, but not blood... so really a nip? BUT the progress and wonderful results is that she let me pet her after right after and she was calm about it... more reserved but was fine with and almost happy about me petting her.

Hehehe! I am bringing them home in 13 days! Right after Byte gets the old snip snip!

So I've been doing a yogurt straw every night... I'm not sure this is going to continue! Emma crabbed again when I gave it to her! I couldn't get her to wake up and so I gave one to Pae first... then she crabbed at Pae and took it and jumped out the back of the pouch and was running around the bottom of the cage, crabbing and pacing.

She really seemed very confused! I opened the bottom cage and talked to her, she just started making a chirping noise... kind of like she was telling me ALL about it... was kind of cute at that point, after she calmed.

Sigh... silly girl.

Just need to figure out what's setting her off...

I'm not sure I want to do this yogurt straw thing again... It's supposed to be a reward... but it seems a bit more stressful. She's fine with licky treats on my finger - but has been wigging with the straw!

jen go ahead and use your finger with her now, as for her treat not an issue. it isn't something you have to do, you will find another way to reward her after her day. now yesterday we closed the pouch totally, and yesterday is when she started acting undone again a little bit at a time.if you want to try to open it about 2 inches , see if that will help. lets try to find that comfort zone with her, like we had discussed.. open it till she no longer is antsy I really don't think it should be too far tho, maybe just enough where she doesn't seem so confined again.

Thank you.

I will open it a bit right now... they are starting to wake up so I'll say hi and goodnight to them and leave them be. I'm not "bugging" them as much as I was last night... I think they appreciate it!

You know I'll update you tomorrow.

Okay, I got some more pics to share. They're not as good as I had hoped because, lets face it, my photographer sucks! She always misses the good shots. LOL BUt I love her anyway...

Mean viscious Donna actually on my hand NOT preparing to bite! And she never even crabbed when I woke her out of a dead sleep!



Donna getting that wild-eyed scared look because the dog was whining. She is soooo sketchy still!



Bella getting some lovin...




Getting ready for take off... (Notice the crazy camera angle... UGH!)



Bella investigating the cat towers at Petsmart today...



EDIT: Just a quick FYI. Bella was the only glider I took with me to Petsmart, and I felt comfortable with doing that ONLY because I know she will come back to ME if shes scared. Bella looks to me for safety and no matter where we are or who is around, at the first sign of anxiety, Bella climbs either in my bra or in a pouch I have around my neck. I say this so that anyone that has not bonded with their gliders yet will know. If you don't have that trust AND bond with a glider, they should never be allowed to roam free anywhere other than a glider proofed room in your own home.

Ok, I have a question for you Robin.

If you do not have a good bond with these two as of yet, and you say you have Donna out and she isnt even ready to bite you this time (that is a WONDERFUL thing btw) I am wondering why you would have these two out of the pouch and on things in a store such as Petsmart where they can be easily spooked and get away from you, having to be *chased down* and taking the chance of going backwards with the great progress you have been making.

Dont take this wrong, I would just really hate to see a newbie trying this and something really wrong happening.

Are they already really bonded to you and they were truly just pouch protective?

I agree Peggy "newbies" should really know their gliders and behaviors before they ever take a suggie outside, even in a closed store. There are so many things that can spook your glider into running and hiding.I would Definitely work on this at home first.

Now if Donna with Bella knows for sure she will not take off and she is totally calm when on her(no little side jumps when her hand approaches her, no jerky jumpy movements when Donna moves, no scared look in her eyes)
Then taking her in and out of her pouch to show off does help them to trust and is a great way to start a conversation and also educate at the same time. The more times you take her out of pouch in public even for a few seconds or minutes the tighter your bond will grow.

I use to go with Peanut to Pet Smart and talk to people that had a dog and say my pet is in my pouch or pocket, and proceed to take her out, after we talked a bit then I would let her go back in pouch or ride on my shoulder as I walked around the store, it was her choice.

Didn't mean to intrude on your's progress post.
Art

Day 8: Girls are doing pretty good, I opened the pouch up a bit more... Emma is stressing a bit. She's doing well though, all things considered. I tried to scoop her out of the pouch this afternoon, she didn't bite me but just gave me the "you've got to be kidding me" look and grumbled, didn't crab, but made the little noise that the girls make at each other when one wakes the other up. She curled back up.

I WAS able to get Pae out on my hands, she crawled around, was nervous at first (first time out in the living room) but calmed a bit and after it was a good experience (and she peed on me) I put her back in the cage and was able to pet her and Emma more.

I gave them some yummy yogurt (suddenly Emma was my best friend again!). So things are good.

Going to ease off a bit, I think that the full moon combined with closing the pouch up, pushed the girls a bit (also moved rooms on Sunday). So easing off and we'll see how they girls go with that. They really are doing wonderfully and are being so sweet.

Art, really you dont need to explain to me how it works, but Im glad you posted that for others to read.

With a glider that is not completely bonded to you and feels you are their tree, at NO TIME should you be taking them out to allow them to check things out especially in an environment such as PetSmart. If the slightest bit of nervousness is still with a glider, it will shoot off in a heart beat and if there is a dog in there that loves to chase something down, and it is nearby, you are in for some trauma.

Now, with that being said, keep in mind I am NOT saying this is how Robin is with her gliders, but merely asking. Has her work with her gliders gotten to the point where she does not have any doubts her gliders will stay right there with her under any circumstance.

Prime example of a TRUE bond...one I witnessed YEARS ago, but one that a GLIDER (not a person) taught me.

There were a bunch of us all sitting around a round table outside. A bunch of oranges on a table, and this precious wonderful, amazing glider visiting with me and the oranges in a photo shoot. Her owner came up on the other side of the table and started talking. The gliders ears perked up and the owner called the gliders name. I watched this glider turn around and find her owner and go to her...Outside, around many folks and I believe there were even some dogs around, but could be mistaken.

THAT is a TRUE bond. Not one we just *Think* is there.

Who is this amazing glider that I will always hold dear to my heart and continue to think of the things and ways SHE taught me? None other than Baybe. Bourbons little girl.
(Yes, B, talking about this does have me in tears right now)

So not to take away from what any of you are doing, just keep in mind, and I have seen this written... Learn from the GLIDER, not from a person. You can listen to experiences, and things that others have done to connect with their glider, but really, you will never have a TRUE bond with a glider, unless you connect truly with the GLIDER.

So, that is why I asked Robin what I did and to really let others know, unless you do have that TRUE SPECIAL bond with your glider, I would NEVER recommend for you to take them out and let them off your person while in a place such as PetSmart.

Peggy I will not answer for Robin, as she can do that, after all who knows her glider better than she, one of the things that everyone is learning, with me, is their gliders, they are spending each time with their glider learning them, learning to become one.. They follow their gliders lead, and try never to push them out of their "comfort zone", they have learned how to return them to that comfort zone, if they do get past it.

peggy it is funny this is like the 3rd time, you have used that example, tomorrow I may not be around and doing so well, as it is the 2nd anniversary of the day we lost Baybe.

each time I read that story, I know you do it with the love and true amazement that was in your eyes, then btw there was 2 dogs in the yard, day and gracie.. but what Baybe and I had was truly special, and what each of these people have with their glider is just as special. these folks have learned the tiniest littlest things about their glider that many people haven't clues about, the little movements, ones some never see, some that some may never see, but these folks have learned their glider all the way down to their slightest movements, they watch those movements at all times.

for those that have never met the one that started all of this. She was my motivation to try to share what we had built together with others, so that they too could have a "special " relationship with their gliders in spite of difficulties.

Baybe's Slideshow

Bourbon was Baybe your first glider, and how old was she when she passed?

If it is too painful to talk about, I understand and will be keeping you in my thoughts tomorrow.

B...sorry, I didnt realize...

But what I did notice in that slideshow is not only the first pic is of me holding her, but the last pic is the one of her with my special Boy Babbax...

She taught many of us a LOT B....

yes she was, I did everything wrong with her, I made all the mistakes new owners make, I chased her up a tree the first night I owned her, I chased her around the house, in her cage, made her get in my pocket and bonding pouch, I new nothing..

she was 14 when she passed, there was no info out there except put her between 2 shirts etc.. bonding pouch.

her story is on here, I have her beginnings, I got many a blood drawn by Baybe, and we had to work very hard together to get where we became one . Baybe's time in the community, was for the community, she went to everyone, and anyone, and had no fear, she had the deepest old soul eyes you could ever imagine, even my worst enemys will speak very well ogf Baybe, with that special look in their eyes and the love in their heart, she was a special girl.

at the Ohio Gathering someone asked why I wasn't posting much I told them, they asked why I was in the community for so long, I told them Baybe was my motivation, we had something special we both wanted to share with everyone, they asked why I wasn't anymore, I told them Baybe had passed and so did my motivation. then they said something I will never forget, and that was," if you don't continue then you are smacking her memory in her face, and from there, I worked hard to perfect the techniques we had learned over the years.

I hear that same excitement in the voices and posts of each owner here that has stepped over the line to finally being in tune with their glider, bonding is something that continues over time, trust is the first step, a relationship based on that trust is the second step, the third step of reinforcing that relationship, that trust, that love and that understanding is spread out all over a lifetime.

I didn't take it wrong, and you made a very good point. But if you will notice... there is only a picture of BELLA at Petsmart. Donna was at home in her PP pouch where she belongs till "I" decide she gets to go out into the world. Did you see the pic of Bella clearly??? She was already about to glide right back to me, her "tree", in that pic even though she was only out of the pouch for about 30 seconds. I am thinking the lights and smells were overwhelming to her as she will explore and befriend everyone when we are at home. Bella was never the problem child, she has always been close to me, in fact she spends several hours a week sleeping in my bra, grooming me and chirping the entire time.

EDIT: Peggy... I added some details under the pictures so that the newer folks will knwo that I only took Bella to the petstore because she and I do have that trust and a bond. I can see where a misunderstanding with the photos could happen. The previous 4 pics were taken in my home last night.

Baybe is not painful, to talk about , we had a great life together, she was a very very special glider, peggy, I have never seen you say so little about baybe.. LOL, thats okay.. It seems she has been on my mind a lot these days, nikki noticed that in my posts, but it just means that she is here with me, and we are still doing this together, for the community.

No drama here Robin, but I will say I apologize that you took it that way. In no way was I saying you were dead wrong in what you were doing, but just asking if your bond has become that strong and I believe I even said that is wonderful.

Thank you for answering and making it clear to all that read and look at the pics that the glider you had was one that you ARE truly bonded with. I would hate for anyone to *skim* these threads and just assume that the glider you had with you was Donna.

Asking questions is what teaches us all, I meant no harm in the questions I asked. I will ask the questions I feel may be important to others.

As I stated, I do apologize you took it in the wrong manner. Maybe you should ask Bourbon, she can tell you how that post reads...



Isnt that the truth! LOL! I just didnt want to get off topic in this thread. That day, that particular experience with that particular glider, taught me more than any reading I have ever done....at least where bonding is concerned.


Edited to add:


Thank you.
I took a few things out of this one as well.

No drama here... just in my home that I let leak into my response. I find it hard to sift through the sharks and get to the friendly folks these days. LOL I do apologize, and I feel bad you even got the opportunity to read my idiotic comment before I edited it. Crawling back in my hole now... LOL

But truthfully, I would NEVER take Donna into a public place. In fact, Donna never even goes into a bonding pouch, and may never be able to as it sends us into a backwards spiral in our trust building.

Now Bella... I do believe that girl loves me! I could be wrong, but she comes to ME for safety, and i feel comfortable bringing her out to show off and taking her out in public, even with other animals involved as I KNOW she will come to ME!

No offense taken Peggy, and thank you for bringing this to my attention so that the newer slaves will know the difference!

I loved the slideshow, thank you for sharing! I can see how special Baybe was, such a beautiful sweet girl.

It is just amazing the bond you can form with a glider. That is what I love about them so much.

Jen, I am so sorry your post got lost in the melee. AWESOME WORK GIRL!!!!! I tell you, it took me nearly a month to be able to be able to read my glider's body language the way you are already doin! I am so sorry all the drama stole your thunder, and you got overlooked. You are doing such a great job! Bourbon will tell you herself how proud she is of you when things settle down a bit!

Jen, FANTASTIC! And you got peed on! Either from nervousness or marking you but still...awesome.

Sassy is being a little doll tonight. I am amazed by how sweet but nervous this little girl is. See, she came to me because she kept drawing blood with her bites. Well, I've not been bitten yet! Nips, yes but no bites and no blood. We are taking baby steps and things are going good.

Baybe touched so many of us. I had the pleasure of spending time with Baybe and she truly was an angel in fur. She definately spoke to each of us that looked into her beautiful eyes and she TRULY loved each of us but none like she loved Bourbon.

Yes, she is still here with us. Thank you for sharing the photos with us again. The beauty of her soul outshines the brightest stars.

"Baybe.. She is in all the words that we all say to make another gliders life better. She is there and always will be."

Lauren Tucek please cntact me regarding your pouch order.

Okay, small update.

I've been telling you all about Ranger, who I THOUGHT was the more frightened of my two. While I was making progress with Ranger, Nika seemed to reach a standstill at about the point where she would sometimes get on my hand without me having to lure here and she would sometimes crab when I reached in to pet her. Bourbon gave me some tips on how to get her to keep progressing, but we really weren't getting anywhere. I haven't even called Bourbon in a bit because I didn't have any legitimate update for her-I felt like I wasn't making any progress at all.

Today though, I think I figured out what needs to happen with Nika. Since Ranger has gotten over his fear, he runs over to me when I come in the room, and jumps on my arm before I get the rept open as far as I want it. It can be really difficult to work with Nika while Ranger is running all over me trying to find somewhere to snuggle in and go to bed or jump off because he thinks it's playtime. While this is going on, Nika is just hanging out at the back of the rept, watching.

Today I decided I wasn't going to mess with Ranger-I HAVE to figure out what to do with Nika. So I got Ranger in a bonding pouch and gave him to my boyfriend so that I could work with Nika without Ranger. I lured her onto my hand with some yogurt a few times, pet her a little, then I took out her favorite bonding pouch and held it up to her. She crawled right in and I hung it around my neck. She poked out a few times, I gave her some lickys, and she went to sleep within ten minutes (this girl has the weirdest sleeping schedule).

I felt her moving a bit, so I looked down at her. She used to crab when I looked at her in the pouch, but she doesn't anymore. When I looked in, she was laying belly up grooming herself. This in itself was a big deal to me, because animals don't expose their tummies unless they aren't scared. So she's grooming herself and then she fell asleep like that, feet all tucked in with her tail curled around her. So I reach in there right...and she lets me rub her tummy. No crabbing, biting (she sometimes gives me little nips when I'm doing something she doesn't like), nothing.

I honestly think that Nika was only acting the way she did because RANGER was making her wound up. He's kind of like this little bundle of energy that wants to be everywhere at once, and Nika has always been calm and hesitant. SO-I think I'm just going to have to work with them one-on-one ALWAYS until she's really comfortable with me, then maybe I can carry them together


Sorry for such a long post. Wanted to be thorough.

Oh... I did everything all wrong tonight.

I was at work and busy all day and night. Left for work at 6:30 this morning and just got back (after midnight). Well... I tried to give the girls yogurt and talk to them. Emma was good about the whole thing. But Pae GRABBED onto my finger, I mean, nails DIGGING into my finger and I could NOT twist away, so she licked all of the yogurt off and CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP... oh it hurt so bad. My finger hurts like crazy. She wouldn't let me pet her, just got defensive when I tried, so I talked to her but she didn't calm really fast. Then that set Emma off so she gave me a little crab to get away from her. Oy...

Honestly guys, I have had SUCH a hard week in so many ways. I hate ending it like that. It didn't turn out good at all.


I am so sorry that I didn't answer your phone call Bourbon. I literally just got home then this drama started.