I've only had one incident of a loose gerbil due to lack of supervision.
Winter was downstairs in his ball and my 8 yr old took him up to put him in
his cage. Shortly thereafter my 4 yr old came down to ask if they could
play with him on the bed. Having a back injury and not wanting to negotiate
the stairs I said, "No, not without a grownup." Shortly after that, I could
hear loud fast steps upstairs. As I went up the stairs, I could hear,
"Lookout! He's over by you!" I entered the room, ordered the excited boys
out of the room, stuffed a pillow under the door and waited until he came
out from the bed. I scooped him up, gently stroked and talked to him, and
replaced him in his cage (kinda cute how they LOVE their cage after an
experience like that!). The boys had a friend over whom I am sure talked
them into it despite the rule, but they said they were trying to replace him
in the cage and he pulled away. I forbid the boys to go in their room for a
couple of hours after so the upset gerbil could settle down.
One nice thing about small mammals is that they provide an opportunity to
teach respect for feelings even more than dogs ~n~ cats. Dogs and cats as
predators have a self-sufficiency in making their feelings known that small,
prey species don't.
I guess the moral of my story is that even when your kids know and follow
the rules, be aware that other kids may not be so inclined so even greater
supervision is needed when there are visitors.
----- Original Message -----
From: Samantha Sly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2000 9:17 PM
Subject: Selling/Giving Away Gerbils--Update
> Well, I gave the four boys two female gerbils (Gibby and Pancake) on the
> condition (threat, ha ha ha) that they would be taken away if not well
cared
> for or treated well. They were all thrilled, and seem like they may be
> careful with them--for a while, at least. (Double paws-crossed that they
> will, here's hoping!) I checked on the two about an hour after they were
> taken home and they seemed thrilled with their new cage and toys. Their
dad
> also made a rule that the gerbils were to only be taken out when
suprevised
> by dad, so that will probably help, too.
>
> Samantha, the pets who own her-- : 0-), <:3 )----* + 7--& Biskit & Co.
