gerbils

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Gerbils

About the same time I encountered Burmese glass (1970), I met my first gerbil. My late brother's girlfriend brought one home from college, and my mother ended up adopting the furry little brown rodent. The entire family fell in love with "Gertrude."
When I went back to my school in the fall, I decided to bring a gerbil into the library. When the kids started poking at the little animal, I took her home to stay. My home has always had gerbils since that time. I have learned through trial and error what to do and what NOT to do in gerbil care, and each gerbil is as unique in its likes and dislikes as a human being.

In October, 2007, I received two non-related gerbils from a Missouri breeder. Both males, Carter and Casey, were lively and friendly. However, I soon learned that Casey was a bully, making Carter's life miserable. Just after I separated the boys, Casey suffered a major heart attack, or so we're guessing. He suddenly died one afternoon. Carter then became "cock of the block" and he thrived on attention and TLC. Carter loves to be held every day. Many gerbil breeders swear that gerbils are happier in pairs. From my years of experience I've learned that isn't necessarily the case especially when there is a bully involved. The human needs to play and pet the gerbil often so the gerbil has physical interaction; Carter has never made any attempt to bite me. By the way, Carter's favorite treat is pumpkin seeds, eaten while he is perched on the back of my recliner. Carter's picture actually appeared in the "Pet Parade" feature of our local newspaper.

On January 17, 2006, our vet told me about a little gerbil at Petland that the store didn't know what to do with. They considered him too vicious to sell because he tried to attack and bite anybody's hand that came near his cage. He was in perfect health and they didn't want to destroy him. They had contacted my vet to see if he could give them any suggestions. The vet, knowing I had an empty cage, asked me to go look at him. "Cody" came home with me. With TLC (time + love + care), Cody became one of the most loving gerbils I've ever owned. He needed and wanted hands-on attention every day once we broke the cycle of fear he had. Even the vet commented how tame Cody had become. Cody crossed over the rainbow in June, 2007, when we discovered that one of his teeth was keeping him from opening his mouth wide enough to eat successfully.

November - 2003 ----Missing Stuart and Simon very much, I decided it was time to adopt new gerbils. I made arrangements to visit a gerbil kennel but first decided to pick up some new supplies. On visiting PetsMart, I saw a darling little gerbil that reminded me so much of Simon. He came to the glass and just stared at me.
On November 29, 2003, I adopted Coco and Chanel from a local gerbil kennel that has since closed.. I had never seen a gerbil kennel before so the experience was most interesting. I adopted two little girls who were ready to leave their mother, who had recently come to the kennel from Kentucky. I still couldn't forget the little gerbil at PetsMart, so 2 days later went back to the store, where the little gerbil stood waiting for me. Clancy and another male Cooper came home with me that same evening.

Chanel was a sapphire gerbil. She was a very, very light gray. She loved to run in a wheel and bonded to me suddenly. When she was near the end of her lifespan, she wanted to lay on my chest with me petting her for reassurance. Coco was a Burmese colored gerbil. Her fur was chocolate brown; but like Burmese cats, her muzzle, tail, and paws were deep brown. Coco developed heart problems and was kept on Lasix for three months before her kidneys finally failed.

Clancy was a male "deh" (dark-eyed honey) gerbil--so called because of his coloration and markings. Clancy always considered himself "boss" of the clan, although he and Cooper never got to mix with the girls. He died from a malignant scent gland tumor. Cooper was a healthy male Agouti gerbil, brown with black guard hairs and a nice white underside. He was typical gerbil in every way. When Clancy died, Cooper gave up living and wouldn't eat; he had lost his best friend.

Here is our 2005 Christmas card. (Coco and Chanel had passed on.)

On Feb. 4, 2001, I adopted Stuart and Simon. These are 2 of my all-time favorite gerbils, but I guess I say that about all my gerbils.

Stuart (gray) was the older of the two and thought he was "top gerbil." He did not do mornings except for breakfast. Hearing the microwave bell in the morning was his national anthem, and he stood at attention hoping for a treat (muffin with butter). He preferred his activities in late afternoon. He also liked to put back his ears and "scowl" if I held him. He liked to perch on my chair back so he could face me eye-to-eye if I turned around.
Simon was the morning gerbil, often chewing tubes and boxes well into the afternoon. He was not as aggressive as Stuart and had a sweeter disposition. However, I couldn't trust him: he was definitely sneaky, slowly manuevering himself in to places I preferred he wouldn't go. He usually preferred to sit on my lap or chest when I held him. He was quite photogenic.

Below are pictures of Stuart (lilac gray) and Simon (argente gold)taken in early March, 2001.

Stuart died on September 3, 2003, after being injured by his vet in what should have been a routine examination of his ear. Simon died on November 15, 2003. Our new vet confirmed that he had a large tumor putting pressure on his heart and lungs. Simon was buried near Stuart. I like to to think they could see each other but weren't so close they would want to fight.

Silver - 1997-2000 Scooter 1997-2001

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November - 2003 ----Missing Stuart and Simon very much, I decided it was time to adopt new gerbils. I made arrangements to visit a gerbil kennel but first decided to pick up some new supplies. On visiting PetsMart, I saw a darling little gerbil that reminded me so much of Simon. He came to the glass and just stared at me. On November 29, 2003, I adopted Coco and Chanel from a local gerbil kennel that has since closed.. I had never seen a gerbil kennel before so the experience was most interesting. I adopted two little girls who were ready to leave their mother, who had recently come to the kennel from Kentucky. I still couldn't forget the little gerbil at PetsMart, so 2 days later went back to the store, where the little gerbil stood waiting for me. Clancy and another male Cooper came home with me that same evening.

Chanel was a sapphire gerbil. She was a very, very light gray. She loved to run in a wheel and bonded to me suddenly. When she was near the end of her lifespan, she wanted to lay on my chest with me petting her for reassurance.	Coco was a Burmese colored gerbil. Her fur was chocolate brown; but like Burmese cats, her muzzle, tail, and paws were deep brown. Coco developed heart problems and was kept on Lasix for three months before her kidneys finally failed.

Clancy was a male "deh" (dark-eyed honey) gerbil--so called because of his coloration and markings. Clancy always considered himself "boss" of the clan, although he and Cooper never got to mix with the girls. He died from a malignant scent gland tumor.	Cooper was a healthy male Agouti gerbil, brown with black guard hairs and a nice white underside. He was typical gerbil in every way. When Clancy died, Cooper gave up living and wouldn't eat; he had lost his best friend.

Here is our 2005 Christmas card. (Coco and Chanel had passed on.)

On Feb. 4, 2001, I adopted Stuart and Simon. These are 2 of my all-time favorite gerbils, but I guess I say that about all my gerbils.
	Stuart (gray) was the older of the two and thought he was "top gerbil." He did not do mornings except for breakfast. Hearing the microwave bell in the morning was his national anthem, and he stood at attention hoping for a treat (muffin with butter). He preferred his activities in late afternoon. He also liked to put back his ears and "scowl" if I held him. He liked to perch on my chair back so he could face me eye-to-eye if I turned around. Simon was the morning gerbil, often chewing tubes and boxes well into the afternoon. He was not as aggressive as Stuart and had a sweeter disposition. However, I couldn't trust him: he was definitely sneaky, slowly manuevering himself in to places I preferred he wouldn't go. He usually preferred to sit on my lap or chest when I held him. He was quite photogenic.
Below are pictures of Stuart (lilac gray) and Simon (argente gold)taken in early March, 2001.

Stuart died on September 3, 2003, after being injured by his vet in what should have been a routine examination of his ear. Simon died on November 15, 2003. Our new vet confirmed that he had a large tumor putting pressure on his heart and lungs. Simon was buried near Stuart. I like to to think they could see each other but weren't so close they would want to fight.


Silver - 1997-2000	Scooter 1997-2001