In Memory of Remus

[Die Fledermaus]

I rescued a year ago two lovely dark-eyed honey gerbils from a pet store where they had been dumped by someone who lost his apartment. They were obviously almost identical brothers.

They were living in a twenty gallon tank with a chubby cream, Petey, and, a DEH with a lightening gene, Edan, who is a rather unusual color.

Recently, Remus lost weight, became lethargic, and looked out of sorts. I tried antibiotics, and vitmains, and eye dropper feedings, but within little more than a day he was gone. They go quickly sometimes. I have no idea how old they are.

I will try to rescue a lonely gerbil and introduced him to the group, carefully.



Remus is in the background with his brother.

[cognac]

DF,
I'm so sorry to hear of another loss. The next one you should name Romulus . I know you did all you could do. I (All of us) know how much you care for your little guys. My condolences.
Cognac

[Die Fledermaus]

Thanks.

But I forgot to mention, his brother's name IS Romulus!

P.S. When you have a lot you lose a lot. . .

[cognac]

I should haev figured his brothers name was Romulus. Once again my condolences.
Cognac

[Die Fledermaus]

Do you know of any way to guesstimate a gerbil's age, perhaps by color of teeth, or something?

I have no idea how old they were when I got them, as I mentioned. His brother seems about as active as any mature gerbil.

[cognac]

I have know idea. I had a hamster that I rescued, Hung Hung, the vet didn't even know how to determine age. I'm guessing most people that get a small critter and then don't want it have it between two monthes and six monthes, so I would say that most adopted little critters are between three monthes and seven monthes when they get adopted. Of course that is guess on my part, with no substantial research to back it up.
Cognac

[Die Fledermaus]

The former owner of those two brothers lost his apartment and had no choice but to leave them at the pet store, so they could have been any age. I suppose I should have made more efforts to ascertain their age when I got them.

The three critters I have had the longest here are the gerbils Crystal, her brother Cliffy, and his nephew Dill. I related how Dill's brothers died: Tommy was found dead of natural causes and Dill and Phil stated fighting as the hierarchy was upset; they had quite a battle and Dill was chewed up - but he recovered; Phil didn't. Crystal, a lovely dove spot, lived with her sister, Chrissie, who died; she now lives with little Tina. She is the first, and first in my heart, and I hope she lives a long long time. She rests more and is less active but she seems OK.

So those three have been here 2 1/2 years. The oldest hams here in longevity are Zeb, and his sisters Ebony and Hypatia (who I think isn't well). Their second brthday in Jan. 9, 2005.