March 2008 Winner: Kara with Velcro!
Name: Velcro
Age: Unknown, approximately 3-5 years
Breed/Species: Silvertail Sugar Glider
Biography: Velcro is one of my most special sugar gliders because he is very unique. He came to me in a unique way as well. I came across an ad on craiglist written by a confused woman who needed information on sugar gliders. I responded to her quickly and offered to tell her anything she needed to know. Her name was Pat, and she was tempted to find a new home for him, but I convinced her to give her glider Velcro another shot. Maybe if she knew how to care for him, it would be easier on both of them.
He came into her care when her son moved back home after splitting up with his girlfriend. They had purchased Velcro together and supposedly Pat got "stuck" caring for Velcro when her son seemed to lose interest in him. She knew very little about sugar gliders but was absolutely certain of one thing, and that was that she loved him so very much.
Pat agreed to give Velcro another shot. However after a few weeks she emailed me again and said it just was not working out and she needed to find him a new home. She had quite enough animals as it was and although she cared about Velcro very much, she wasn't happy with the fact that her son had just left him for Pat to clean up after.
Although I already had 4 of my own sugar gliders, I felt a special connection with Pat and Velcro. I wanted to be certain he would go to a good, permanent home. And the only way I could be absolutely sure of this is if I offered my own care. Pat willinging accepted my help and a meeting was arranged.
The hand-over was very sad. Pat was certain he was going to a good place, but she had grown to love Velcro so much. She cried as she handed him to me in his pouch. I looked in and fell in love instantly. There was just something about this glider that made me want to give him the world. Once goodbyes were made, my mom and I drove back home.
The first time I attempted to handle Velcro I was bitten very hard. This was discouraging, but I wasn't angry. Everything was new to him and he had gone through so many drastic changes within the past months. When I released him into his freshly cleaned cage, I immediately noticed something very beautiful and different about him. His tail was completely grey, whereas with normal gliders they have a black tip. He also seemed much lighter, to almost have a "blonde" look to him (compared to other gliders).
Upon further research I decided that he very well could be a rare Silvertail glider. However, I knew that his diet wasn't exactly the best before coming into my hands. I had to wait at least 6 months with him on a good diet before we could determine the true qualities of his coat. Sure enough, it has been at least 6 months and he still has the same beautiful fluffy silver tail.
Pat was kind enough to write these words about me, for me to put on my website:
"I wanted to let everyone know that had it not been for Kara, my sugar glider probably would not be on this
earth right now. My son's girlfriend brought one home for them. Sadly to say, they knew nothing about
gliders. Later, my son moved back home with glider in tow. I started doing some research on gliders and
was amazed at the amount of information out there and how little I knew about them. I put out a request for
help, "Information needed on gliders". Kara was one of the first to respond. She answered my questions
very quickly, was very up front and honest about what she was telling me. I knew that "my" glider needed
more than what we were able to provide him. After very careful consideration and a lot of soul searching, I
decided that it was best to find him a new home. I talked with Kara, and decided that the new home should
be with her. I am happy to say that Velcro has now become part of her family and now has a mate and is
doing very well. I miss the little guy, but know that he is so much better off where he is. Thank you Kara for
all your help, the information, the reassurance and for loving these little critters enough to want to help
others."
Velcro has long since warmed up to me quite a bit. He is content to stay on my arm, and I am very glad to say that although he bit me so hard on his very first day in my home - he has not to this day bitten me since. He is very fond of attention and loves treats like mangos and papaya and yogurt drops.
Since coming into my family, Velcro has been paired with a lovely glider named Skittles, and with her help has become the proud dad of one beautiful girl (Button) and is currently the expectant father of two more joeys.
Velcro will be with me for the rest of his days.
