New Year for Gerbils!

Tig's Resolution? To escape his tank! Tig managed to climb on top of the skinny bar of his wheel. On two feet, he stretched as far as he could go and he ALMOST made it out of the tank. Needless to say, we turned the wheel around so its highest point is only half the height of the tank.

Pendy's Resolution? Not quite sure yet! He seems to be happy in his tank, but I am afraid that he is still quite lonely. He is also getting older (sad :( ) and he seems to be sleeping more. He is also jogging on his wheel, in comparison to Tig's speed-runs on his own wheel. I hope I can still provide a happy life for Pendy as he becomes a senior gerbil!

My resolution? To continue being a good mom to my gerbs! And to spoil them more, if that's possible!

C is also in the process of creating his calender for me, an annual tradition! This year's calender features Pendy, Tig, and the late D'Agosta. The photos above are June, and August, respectively. I can't wait to see the final product!

Missing My Boys

I've only been away from my two furry boys (well...three if you count C) for three days, and it feels like it's been a MONTH since I've seen them!

The first time I left the gerbils for an extended time was in 2008. When I returned, Pendy and D took turns scent-marking me! I also got many gerbil-kisses as a "welcome home" greeting. I was worried that they might forget about me, or lose interest, but their love for their mama was still apparent, as was my love for them! Plus, it was not as if they were left entirely on their own. Their "grandparents" and their "uncle" J took quite good care of them, and from what I could see, they had been spoiled!

Pendy and Tig will be traveling by car with C to meet up with me in time for Christmas. Pendy is a pro at riding in a vehicle. We put him in his critter-carrier and carry him out to the car (where his tank is already waiting). There, we place him in the tank, and repeat the process with Tig (in his own tank, of course!) We remove the wheel and the water dish from the tank because we don't want the gerbs to get injured, or have to sleep in wet aspen!

Safety first! Buckle up, boys!

C will stop periodically on the drive to give them water, and their wheel for a little entertainment. Of course, the gerbs will have plenty of cardboard tubes to chew on during the drive.

 

C will make sure to take many breaks, as it is quite a long drive. Tig is an adventurous little gerbil, so I imagine he will take to the drive quickly. Forget Christmas - I am counting down the days until I get to cuddle my three boys again!

Tig enjoys a good book. Perhaps he will read on the drive?

Gerbs Enjoy the Holidays, Too!

I especially enjoy the holidays for it gives me an excuse to make little crafts for the boys!

Last year, I pulled some materials together and painted snowflake ornaments: one for Pendy, one for D!

The boys also needed something to set out for "Santa Paws". We set out some yummy gerbil treats, and I put together a couple of stockings in which to receive presents!

Although D has left us in body, he has not left us in spirit :) We hung up his stocking and ornament in his honor!

Tig, alas, had nothing, so today I painted this ornament for him:

I haven't made a stocking for him yet, but if I run out of time I will make sure Santa Paws knows to drop off some gifts for Tig! Next year, my goal is to create a gerbil tree-topper. The holidays are for rodents, too!

Favorite (Store-Bought) Toy for Gerbs

The boys are pretty fussy with new things, especially Pendy! But there is one toy that Pendy and Tig can not get enough of:

The Super Pet Combo Toy Hamburger!

When we introduced Pendy and D to this toy, it took them a few days to begin chewing on the burger. Once they started, they were completely enamored. Tig took to the burger right away, and now we go through two of these twice a month! (One for Pendy, one for Tig) Luckily, the pet stores around here seem to keep them in stock.

 

D'Agosta with his burger!

 

The burger is made up of a combination of small pet-friendly wood and chewable loofah made from dried-out gourds. It keeps our gerbils' teeth healthy and sharp, and also provides them with a challenge: " How can I get to the delicious loofah in the middle?" 

I was a little uneasy when I saw that the loofah was so brightly colored, but the product is dyed with vegetable dye, an animal-friendly coloring method. The boys have had many burgers already in their lives, and they keep coming back for more, so I figure this toy has been safe entertainment for them.

 

D attacking the burger from behind! Sneak attack!

Cardboard tubes will always be their favorite, but our furry guys can't get enough of Super Pet's burger!