LOL hmm better run to the store for band aids, didn't know you were trimming her nails!! We both know you are not her favorite person.
Yeah my neutered boys are the best!! Most are just mellow, I do have a spry one or two but for the most part they are all sweeties. Angel's such a sweetie, hes like a lost puppy, love me now! On Spike hes just feisty lol. He gets crabby with me sometimes too. Not often but sometimes.
No really on Buffy I hope she shows you how good she is being.Before she hears your voice, I will have to show you how good shes being lol

dancing maybe her nails can wait till the next time, so she has a chance to settle in with her new trust building techniques.

Yea, B. I figured really to play it by ear and see what mood she is in. Trust me, I don't look forward to even attempting to trim Buffy. I don't want to cause a set back either. I do know though that Buffy usually has pretty fast long growing nails.

Her nails do need trimmed. I think with her she will be mad at you like normal and not associate it with mom. Shes being good so it might not be a bad thing.

OMG i made two of those new pouch protective pouch thingies that shelleriddle was talking about, just to use until i can buy a really good one, and they've only been in it for one day and they are soooooooooooo much calmer. i can't believe it. I was actually able to pet both of my sleepy babies with out getting bit!!!!!!!!!! I am sooooooo excited. I only got crabbed at once or twice and that was when i stopped petting bambi and started petting stitch. they are so cute. this is the first time i've ever had this happen to where i could actually touch her in a sleeping area. usually i can't even look at her and when she would see my fingers she would go nuts, but not today. i know i still have a long way to go, but man what a start!!!!!!!!!

That is soo wonderful!! I am sold on these pouches,I need a ton more lol.

I am so glad to hear the new pouch is a great success.

Well I did the resting my arm in her cage today and I think it went great!!! She peeked at my arm, crabbed a little then sat perched looking at me and let me snap a picture. I will try to attach it, its dark but I only have a camera on my cell.
I think everyday she trusts me more. Crabbing from her is a major break through, much better than the biting before.

Ok major news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buffy just now took a licky treat from my finger!!!!! woohoo I'm in total shock!!

YAY WTG Buffy Kepp up the great work Shelle!

I cannot take full credit for Buffy turning around. I just follow what I'm told to do! lol Bourbon and Teresa have been the back bone of this. BC Chins gave me the drive to do the licky treats with Buffy. I'm suppose to be helping her but I think its a mutual help. This is a major improvement already. I'm still sold on the pouch protective pouch by pampered glider, I feel this sped things along with Buffy.

I know i am sooooooo hooked on these pouches. My suggies are so much sweeter that they actually let my mom pet them in it. with out so much as a single crab.

I am so excited/proud of both of you! You for working so hard with Buffy and never giving up after so long and Buffy for starting to trust you more everyday. Way To Go.

Shellie, I was looking at the pic you have there, although dark, it reminds me of the pic I took of Jack, that look that is deep in their eyes.. it is not fear now, but a look of "Mom what ARE you doing?"

I myself nor will dancing take the credit for the hard work that you and Buffy are doing, Buffy is making many many forward advancements, and it is great to see the new relationship that you two have started building..

I spoke with Sugarabcession tonigt, she was in such amazement with the changes her glider is going through, she was actually able to watch her joeys make the trip into the pouch tonight.

I myself, feel great for many reasons,

1. that you all are doing so well so quick,
2. that the 2 of you have possibly kept 2 gliders from going into the system later on, which sadly is what generally happens to the severe biters.
3. with you all's help, we may be able to help many many more owners have a better relationship with their glider.

wouldn't it be a wonderful world to have a trustbuilding technique that does half the work for you. I know I myself love it because now I may not ever have to take another series of those vicious bites.

you all have done such a great job, I am so very proud of each and everyone of you including your gliders..

Shellie.. shall I stop looking for that optional home?

Shelle, this is so awsome & don't you dare downplay your roll. You are the one working with Buffy every day to help her learn to trust and love. That takes a great deal of time & heart & courage. I for one am very proud of you both & happy as can be about how she is doing.

Yes Bourbon, Buffy is not going anywhere. I wanted to re-home for the best interest for Buffy but she is a happier glider now. Which is what I truely wanted for her.
This pouch has been a blessing and you guys telling me what to do and giving me the courage to do it. I will admit I was very scared of Buffy. Not now though, she has transformed in a week to a much sweeter glider. We have a ways to go still BUT she is no longer terrified of me.

Hmmm...I'm going to have to make a no sew version of this for my guy. He's not a "Buffy Biter" but he sure is pouch protective. Thank you for this thread - I believe it's helped alot of people.

Shelle! I'm SO pleased by this exciting news! I think from your previous posts that you were possibly feeling like you'd let Buffy down somehow. It seemed as if you felt you had to give up, and it doesn't seem like you. I know it was weighing heavily on you.

I'm SO excited about this! I just ordered those pouches for all three of my cages. Rocket is NO WHERE near what Buffy is - but he is pouch protective, and crabs and lunges when I touch his pouch. I'm hoping for some progress. And it seems as if the other two will benefit, also, altho they aren't as pouch protective. It just makes sense that they want to see who is coming and going.

I'm SO glad that you found a way for Buffy to be a happy, more trusting glider! WHAHOO!

I'm just TICKLED PINK to hear how wonderfully these new pouches are working!

I got to see it used in one of B's cages a couple weeks ago...the design of the pouch was FASCINATING and the material used is so UNIQUE! I looked it & had to wonder WHY somebody didn't come up with this idea before--obviously there's been a NEED for this for quite some time!

So happy to hear there's HOPE for pouch protective babies out there!

I have been following this post from the beginning and my heart just went out to you. I have to tell you I myself shed a few tears hearing the pain you have gone thru physically and emotionally. You could tell you just wanted to love her and make her happy.

I AM SO HAPPY that things have really turned around for you. It must be so exciting that every day is a new day with Buffy and that every day she is going to love you more and more (and show it )

Its very exciting!!! I never thought Buffy would come around. It was heart wrenching, I loved her to pieces and she was miserable. You could see it in her face and ears. She was a sad glider, NOW she gets ready and alert when mom comes. She still crabs some but shes soo much better!!! I did feel like I had failed her, that I messed up. I have taken in a lot of rescues and shes been the only one I could not get through, which made me love her more! Knowing now that with pitbullers I shouldn't have been taking the bites like I was. Its sad that for 2 years I was hindering progress. But now we ARE going to get there. At what level I do not know but if I can never hold or really touch is ok, SHES not sad and scared which was all I ever wanted with her.
I believe her new pouch did most of the work AND Buffy has done the rest. I'm just going at her speed and what she wants to do that day. Last night I sat with my arm in her cage while she played. Well her wheel was more interesting lol. She sniffed me some but the wheel had the power over her lol.
I will update every few days unless we have a HUGE break through like the licky treats.

Shelle, the fact you were able to rest your arm in there while she played says a lot.. remember what I said.. each step, no matter how small it may seem, to someone else.. is a HUGE step for BUFFY.. it takes a lot for a glider like buffy who feels they have a reason for whatever it is to protect her environment with such vengence..

the fear that she has lived through and the way she has lived, has become the norm for her. so the slightest change, is always a blessing.. also keep in mind, she too may have her good days and bad days. but you working on what she wants to allow you to do, is making a huge difference.

you all are doing awsome. you all are our next generation, it will be up to all of you to help the next group of severe biters and pouch protective gliders.

we old timers are working with the various rescue homes in placing many many gliders just like yours who hasn't had that opportunity to know what buffy and the others are now feeling.

I hope that many people that are reading this can see the potential that these pouches can serve in the rescue homes, Suggeebaby is taking orders for those that would like the rescue homes the chance to work with this type of gliders with much less effort.

Shelle....YOU and BUFFY are doing an awesome thing. The experiences you are now having with Buffy can only help the next person. Yes, this method started as an experiment but so far it is WORKING! And it is working without all the pain of just "taking the bites". It seems like it is less traumatic on the gliders and definately on the owner.

Bourbon's phraze, "next generation" is right on the mark. There are those that have been around for a very long time. They have brought us fantastic ideas and bonding techniques. They have taught us all very valuable lessons and have made our combined experiences with gliders so much better. BUT that does not mean the education is complete.

"The Next Generation" will hopefully take those past lessons and expand on them. Take a look at what works and make it work better. Take a look at what hasn't worked and find alternitives. That is PROGRESS! That is what is needed.

Michelle, there is always a reason for the things that happen to us in our lives...perhaps this experience with Buffy, and the lessons the entire glider community can learn is a part of why your health came to what it is. Really, without your lack of one arm and the meds you are on, we might all still be taking the bites.

There are hidden blessings in all things even if they are often hard to find.

I am so proud of all the work you and Buffy are doing. You and Buffy have opened doors that we previously didn't even know were there.

I don't want to make light of the other's also working on this "experiment". Each of you are making a difference. (I have only been working with Shelle so have limited insight to all the good work going on).

I would love each of you working with one of these special gliders to keep a journal of progress, and set backs, so that we can all learn from your experiences.

Buffy...I'm so happy for you that you are learning to trust finally. I know you have so much love being offered to you and nothing makes me happier than to hear you are finally trying to accept it. (gee I really wish gliders could read)

Shelle … Brovo to you! you have a huge heart and it shows… I think you have gotten great advice and I can’t think of any more to offer … but will add moral support and a few ..

John, remember that couple I was trying to help at the fl gathering that day? I can't remember who they were, maybe you can send them an email or something to let them know that there is still hope for their little one, that doesn't require me or him getting chewed up again..

Buffy took a licky from my friend today!! My friend was scared of Buffy, she knows all the stories on her. She was like are you sure this is heR? lol I said yes. Buffy was sweet and alert I was shocked. She didn't crab or tense, Just a hey what you got to eat!!! lol

I really feel Buffys doing most of the work, I'm the one who gets her up for treats constantly lol. She did nip my finger a little on licky first thing this morning but it didn't hurt or break the skin. It was more of a hey I'm tired of waiting thing lol, after the nip I just continued to let her lick the treat off. Its not a setback I think because I do not feel it was a bite, it was more of a taste thing. Shes been unbelieveable. The last few days has just been leaps and bounds with her. I'm hoping she shows Teresa her new side Saturday. Since she has saw the "old" Buffy, I want her to see the "new" Buffy.
Its really been the encouragement from everyone helping me get my courage to do this. I have always wondered why I had such a horrible stroke maybe Dancing is right, if not for medical would we be trying all these new things for gliders. My heart has always went out to the hard luck case animals. Anything birds, dogs, cats and gliders. I would always take the ones everyone said wasn't worth helping or saving.
This has really helped me get through these last few days. The resting my arm in her cage was a BIG step for us, me I was a tad scared expecting the latched on bite but so far those are gone already BUT I do not push her, everything is up to her. Really watching her body and face as helped me learn her better. Her wants and dislikes.

Shelle, what an incredible success story! You've done an amazing job with this wee one. Little Buffy is opening her heart (and no longer her jaws) to you. Your love and patience and dedication are paying off.

Shelli you are doing fantastic with Buffy keep strong and only good things can happen. Hugs

I am not intruding on your post but I wanted to say that yesterday I too put my arm in the cage (thanks to your encouragement) and Lela came to it sniffed my closed hand then proceded to climb onto my fist walk down my arm and at the same time we looked at each other with the "OH my what is happening" look, she then sniffed my arm and climbed down into her pouch. NO BITES/CRABBING this would have never happened a week ago.

That is wonderful Brenda!!!! Buffy tried to give me heart failure last night lol. She jumped/glided into the cage by my arm, I am getting more relaxed when I do it now lol. She just came up and sniffed. She decided her wheel was more fun then my arm.
I'm glad your two are coming along too. This is a learning experience for everyone so post away.