okay, this is the HARDEST post I have ever had to make here. I actually had to force myself to get on the boards today, which for those of you how know me...know is very strange. I lost my beloved Magnolia yesterday. Magnolia was almost 5 months oop. She and Jasper both came out of the pouch on the day that their father, Buster, was neutered (Oct 20). I started handling both of them from that day on. It became so easy to fall in love with them. They were the first joeys that I ever had own me. Magnolia, unlike her brother, seemed to be growing at a very slow rate. She was only about 3/4 the size of her brother. She was eating well (always the first to the food bowl) and very active. She showed no signs of any illness, other than possibly being small in comparision to her brother. She was my cuddle buddy...she loved to be with people...(unlike her sometimes crabby brother who HATES to be woke up during the day). We are pretty sure he death was probably related to her size...either genetic or maybe heart related. We contacted our vet last night and were going to have a necropsy done but decided against it because I just don't have the heart to do it...I'd much rather let her be in peace. Jennifer (who has become such a good friend of mine--through our love of gliders) came over to be with me last night in my time of need. I felt bad because her grandmother is in the hospital and she came to be with me....what a friend!!! Since we live in an apt complex and I don't feel right about Magnolia being laid to rest here...I sent her home with Jennifer to be buried in her back yard to rest..that way I know she is in a place where gliders are loved. Thank you Jennifer....
It may sound funny but part of my healing/grieving process last night consisted to go to the local pet store that is a USDA licensed breeder and interacting with their gliders that don't get much attention at all....it helped though. Then i came home and got my remaining 3 out for a bit. I know they are grieving also.
I know only time will heal the hole left in my heart and my home....I just got back some pictures I had developed and probably 75% of them were of magnolia....I'm planning on setting up a memorial page for here once i get my scanner working....I feel the least I can do is share my love for her and her story...