How do you stop getting gerbils?

[ljoly]

My gerbil Quintus died 3 days ago, leaving his 'buddy' Maximus all alone. Quint and Max were my first gerbils, (and first small pets ever). Max will be 3 years old in August. Both Max and I are having a hard time with Quint's death. At play time out of the cage Max spends the whole time searching and chirping for Quint. It is very, very sad. I know people are going to suggest that I get Max a new buddy, but I don't think I want more gerbils. I loved the boys very dearly, and there are so many things I love about gerbils in general- cheeky, naughty, friendly, high activity level, 'attitude,' curious, not noctournal, etc. But they are also fragile,stressful, my gerbils fought badly and nearly killed each other (they have been in a permnent split since April), and short life spans. I don't know if I can go through the loss of a beloved pet every 3 years or less. I know I sound selfish, but it is how I feel. I admire people who own lots of gerbils and wish I could, but don't think I am cut out for it.

But I still have Max. Max could live for a few more months or even years, and I don't want him to be sad and lonely. I did go and look at the humane society and other rescue groups but couldn't find any gerbils. Even then, if I adopt a 2 or 2.5 year old gerbil, and then Max dies in a few months, then I am left in the same place again with a lonely older gerbil. So my question is, if gerbils always need a buddy, how do you stop having gerbils? I know it sounds awful but surely not everyone keeps owning gerbils forever? How do I take care of Max properly, but also possibly decide that I don't want to own a series of gerbils?

[kim]

I'm sorry to hear about Quintus, losing a pet is hard. If you do not want any more gerbils then it is perfectly fine, it is often advised not to get another companion for a recently alone gerbil past the age of 2 1/2 if you do not wish to carry on owning gerbils after that gerbil has gone. It is a good idea to spend more time with the alone gerbil though so it at least has your company and give him lots of toys to keep him occupied.

I have never lossed a gerbil so I'm not the best to give advice on how to help Max but I hope I have helped and that someone else can help with your questions.

[ljoly]

Thank you for your thoughts. I appreciate you responding. I am feeling really guilty and stressed, but am trying to spend as much time with him as possible.

[Doctor Digby]

Don't feel guilty or stressed. Max just needs a little extra loving and playtime with you. There is nothing wrong with wanting to stop being a gerbil owner. They may be little things but they do demand alot of attention. But until that day comes, just be there for Max and be his new BFF. He knows you and is comfortable with you. Getting and introducing a new gerbil would not be as wise because he is older.
You and Max are still grieving for Quint so just be each others rock of love.

[ljoly]

Thank you- I appreciate your support and advice. I am trying to be there for him (I went to a bulk store today and bought new fun seeds and things to try), but he just seems so distraught I wish we spoke the same language, so we could tell each other what is going on...

[youps]

Hi Ljoly,

Keep in your mind you are doing and going all you can for Max. I am sure he will feel all the extra extra extra love that you will give to him
Cheer-up and stay focused on the wellbeing of Max even if you are sad even if he looks sad or distraught. Do it for the little guy . Let him going outside more often,I mean on a safe playground (easy to create) Buy new toys or create new ones.
And do not feel guilty not wanting to be a owner of Gerbils all your life. I fear the day it will happen for me and Dune and Steppe who are two years old now.But I will take the same decision than yours. I do not live in the country where I was born and I do not trust people here to give them cares as I do. I have only seen my family the last year during 11 days for 2 years. I had paid someone ( it was her job according to the advert) to come twice a day, to give food and so on. I found the Girls thiner and they were shier as scared, the water had not been changed the last day. I was not happy at all . So now the holidays it's over.
On one side I have no regrets : I even hope not to be able to have holidays before 100 years.On the other side, it's hard not to be able to go back to my country and visit my friends and my family as I would like even if fortunately my partner comes to see me every four months . And I m getting old, even if I am fit sometimes I have to kick myself to clean the tanks hand made by my partner and myself : it's 4 hours for the lower with the playground and two hours for the upper. It's a big organisation and sometimes I feel trapped and think I am not doing things in the right way and then I stress Dune and Steppe more perhaps they should. I do not know.
Anyway this is why after Dune and Steppe I certainly won't have other Girls or Boys.
You see you are not alone in this situation. It's a hard decision but hard at the level of the love we have for them.
If you need to speak or have some advices ( I am not an expert in gerbils, only my experience with Dune and Steppe and Pim's I had I was 20 years old...so a long time) do not hesitate to contact me.
Again cheer-up. All my support.
Have lovely moments with Max.

[ljoly]

Thank you for your support and advice, and for sharing your story. I appreciate hearing your thoughts. They are a lot of work, although like you, I don't regret it. I have bought Max some extra treats and am pushing his tank into the living room to watch TV with us at night. I let him out as soon as I get home from work for at least an hour a day. Thank you again for your comments and re-assurance