Help me shop for my next unofficial support animal

[Opti]

[img src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" alt="" class="smile"]

Crestie, the crested gecko is really what is called a display animal, so no help with even handling him safely to say Hi.

In fact since he is old and I think going blind, he is more dangerous to take out, so its safer for both of us if I do not.


*************

SPOILER: Click to show

Took quite some time to figure out a woman at a prior job, called Black S. Once I realized she was born in the late 50s or earlier things started to make sense.

DUH, race riots in NJ.

White S similar age! Probably not even a calendar year apart. 

END REQUEST 
)))))))))))))))))))


Hope I posted this in EE not YMAM! 

[Opti]

There was a cute Chinchilla curled up in a wood resin tree stump at the pet store that looked like what I have.
Would love to consider small dogs, but that should be on hold until I leave. (I wanted to be elsewhere instead of renewing here, so
to be seen if I can get out of town and out county b4 next summer.)

www.chewy.com/kaytee-natural-tree-trunk-small/dp/131021

[Opti]

I also think ferrets would be interesting too, but I am looking for new and companionship, not heartbreak in a few years.

SPOILER: Click to show

I learned about bugs for the substrate of a crestie or mantella frog cage. Not sure of the scientific name, but you can start with really tiny pill bugs!

I also learned that most tarantulas are fragile. (Good news) 

[busymom]

Years ago, I met a woman who bred sugar gliders.  They are interesting, VERY cute, and they live about as long as a cat.  However, they ARE nocturnal, and I'm told they don't do well if their owner goes on vacation without them.  Maybe wait to get a small dog?  

[Opti]

Jul 7, 2024 12:46:15 GMT -5 busymom said:

Years ago, I met a woman who bred sugar gliders.  They are interesting, VERY cute, and they live about as long as a cat.  However, they ARE nocturnal, and I'm told they don't do well if their owner goes on vacation without them.  Maybe wait to get a small dog?  

I thought about the sugar glider too. I need something though. My outside social life does not exist unless you count talking to the occasional complex dweller. (Using the bus just 6 days a week RT is more than enough during really hot or really cold weather. 


FWIW, in theory hairless Moon Shadow was nocturnal as well. But he tended to keep my hours. And being hairless even introducing two hairless G Pigs to each other is fraught with potential damage possible leading to death if one is very infected with something and the other is medically fragile. I was learning while doing so I was not the ideal owner. 

[busymom]

Jul 7, 2024 13:00:45 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jul 7, 2024 12:46:15 GMT -5 busymom said:

Years ago, I met a woman who bred sugar gliders.  They are interesting, VERY cute, and they live about as long as a cat.  However, they ARE nocturnal, and I'm told they don't do well if their owner goes on vacation without them.  Maybe wait to get a small dog?  

I thought about the sugar glider too. I need something though. My outside social life does not exist unless you count talking to the occasional complex dweller. (Using the bus just 6 days a week RT is more than enough during really hot or really cold weather. 


FWIW, in theory hairless Moon Shadow was nocturnal as well. But he tended to keep my hours. And being hairless even introducing two hairless G Pigs to each other is fraught with potential damage possible leading to death if one is very infected with something and the other is medically fragile. I was learning while doing so I was not the ideal owner. 

      I didn't have a good experience with guinea pigs when I was a kid.  I didn't know they needed "friends", and bought just one, who decided I was good for biting.  My parents encouraged me to donate him to our junior high school science room, where he had a friend.

      I personally like hamsters, but they don't live more than a couple of years.

[jerseygirl]

Hamster , gerbil, Parakeet

[Opti]

Jul 7, 2024 15:12:23 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Hamster , gerbil, Parakeet

Unfortunately, I am allergic to birds so that's out. But thanks for reminding me why I attempted Moon Shadow. He was hairless. I like Teddybear and Siberian hamsters, but the time I pet sat my neighbor's gerbil, it bit me way too often.  A mean one it was. Liked the dog better. 


TY much for your suggestions. 

[Opti]

Jul 7, 2024 15:01:27 GMT -5 busymom said:

Jul 7, 2024 13:00:45 GMT -5 Opti said:

I thought about the sugar glider too. I need something though. My outside social life does not exist unless you count talking to the occasional complex dweller. (Using the bus just 6 days a week RT is more than enough during really hot or really cold weather. 


FWIW, in theory hairless Moon Shadow was nocturnal as well. But he tended to keep my hours. And being hairless even introducing two hairless G Pigs to each other is fraught with potential damage possible leading to death if one is very infected with something and the other is medically fragile. I was learning while doing so I was not the ideal owner. 

      I didn't have a good experience with guinea pigs when I was a kid.  I didn't know they needed "friends", and bought just one, who decided I was good for biting.  My parents encouraged me to donate him to our junior high school science room, where he had a friend.

      I personally like hamsters, but they don't live more than a couple of years.

G Pigs are a crap shoot. My BFF reminded me she had a G Pig first named Cinnamon, White with the Pink/Red hot type eyes but not an Albino. Her pig probably had people around it all the time except for when the household went to sleep. So i got a short haired one called Silver after convincing my dad to try having one. He was amazing, but I also spent a lot of time with him because of mom's warnings that I had to take care of him and not stress out dad.

I was quite disappointed that Moon Shadow was nowhere near as trainable or up to being petted and being out an about. But after a year he started squeaking for me most times when I was returning home. And started up the song of his peeps sometimes if he wasn't ready for me to leave him in the LR. Of course, he only was willing to spend time with me in my bedroom for short spurts. The it was more verbals, sometimes I realized it was I want to go back for the bathroom instead of I want my house now, this bedroom thing is getting old. 

Come to think of it I did pet sit and regularly saw a teddy bear hamster. Owned by family friends. 

[Opti]

Jul 7, 2024 15:01:27 GMT -5 busymom said:

Jul 7, 2024 13:00:45 GMT -5 Opti said:

I thought about the sugar glider too. I need something though. My outside social life does not exist unless you count talking to the occasional complex dweller. (Using the bus just 6 days a week RT is more than enough during really hot or really cold weather. 


FWIW, in theory hairless Moon Shadow was nocturnal as well. But he tended to keep my hours. And being hairless even introducing two hairless G Pigs to each other is fraught with potential damage possible leading to death if one is very infected with something and the other is medically fragile. I was learning while doing so I was not the ideal owner. 

      I didn't have a good experience with guinea pigs when I was a kid.  I didn't know they needed "friends", and bought just one, who decided I was good for biting.  My parents encouraged me to donate him to our junior high school science room, where he had a friend.

      I personally like hamsters, but they don't live more than a couple of years.

That couple of years thing is hard. That's why a very small rat would be not ideal either. G Pig care has changed so much over the years. Guinea Dad has entire guides now on stuff and they have branched out to Bunnies as well.

[Opti]

I'm thinking maybe it should be a lizard I haven't dealt with yet. Are there such things as exotic pet rescues where you can foster but plan not to adopt?

[haapai]

Have you considered a hedgie?  

I'm not sure if they are legal on this side of the pond, but old-time ferret fanciers can tell you how to get around that.  Just don't let them sell you on ferrets.  You were correct when you identified the short lifespan as a major drawback.  There are some tips and tricks for getting a ferret with a longer lifespan -- better bloodlines, alternations in neutering or spaying -- but they aren't slam dunks.  Also, some ferrets bite, and handling a ferret after you have been deeply bitten is not easy. 

I don't know how long hedgies live, or how spiky their spines actually are, but they might be less painful to own than ferrets.

[msventoux]

Jul 8, 2024 11:42:22 GMT -5 haapai said:

Have you considered a hedgie?  

I'm not sure if they are legal on this side of the pond, but old-time ferret fanciers can tell you how to get around that.  Just don't let them sell you on ferrets.  You were correct when you identified the short lifespan as a major drawback.  There are some tips and tricks for getting a ferret with a longer lifespan -- better bloodlines, alternations in neutering or spaying -- but they aren't slam dunks.  Also, some ferrets bite, and handling a ferret after you have been deeply bitten is not easy. 

I don't know how long hedgies live, or how spiky their spines actually are, but they might be less painful to own than ferrets.

I might rethink the hedgie idea.  I had one growing up and he was cute but they’re not overly interactive or affectionate. I could pick him up barehanded when he was all balled up and it was slightly uncomfortable but not painful.  Mine was also nocturnal and didn’t come out much until the lights went out.  The major drawback was his feces.  He didn’t have dry pellets like a hamster or rabbit, it was more of a greasy single cylinder texture.  Which got smeared all over his wheel that he would run on most of the night, so cleaning his cage and wheel was disgusting. 

[Opti]

TY for info on Hedgies. I do need to do research it seems. And the Bearded Dragon poop could get awful. I could also try a lizard called a Uromastx or something like that. They are way smellier than beardies but are vegetarians I think. Like I wouldn't have to buy bugs dead or alive to keep them healthy.

[toomuchreality]

Ferrets are my favorite animals.
BUT they are VERY high maintenance, require a LOT of attention and are considered elderly at age four. They are only seen by exotic vets and have a lot of expensive health issues, when they get older.

That's why I didn't get another one, after my last one died.
And you can't just leave them in a cage. I didn't go on any vacations for 25-30 years, because I didn't have a ferret sitter.

I hope you find something that works for you.

[busymom]

I found a list of pros & cons of having a hedgehog as a pet.  They ARE cute.  


greengarageblog.org/15-pros-and-cons-of-having-a-hedgehog-as-a-pet#:~:text=1.%20Hedgehogs%20are%20not

[toomuchreality]

Jul 8, 2024 19:07:42 GMT -5 busymom said:

I found a list of pros & cons of having a hedgehog as a pet.  They ARE cute.  


greengarageblog.org/15-pros-and-cons-of-having-a-hedgehog-as-a-pet#:~:text=1.%20Hedgehogs%20are%20not

TBH, I haven't read the article.
But I have a friend whose daughter has a hedgehog and I've heard they're not easy to care for.

[Pink Cashmere]

Jul 7, 2024 6:34:56 GMT -5 Opti said:

[img src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" alt="[img alt="" src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" class="smile"]" class="smile"]

Crestie, the crested gecko is really what is called a display animal, so no help with even handling him safely to say Hi.

In fact since he is old and I think going blind, he is more dangerous to take out, so its safer for both of us if I do not.


*************

SPOILER: Click to show

Took quite some time to figure out a woman at a prior job, called Black S. Once I realized she was born in the late 50s or earlier things started to make sense.

DUH, race riots in NJ.

White S similar age! Probably not even a calendar year apart. 

END REQUEST 
)))))))))))))))))))


Hope I posted this in EE not YMAM! 

I am still stuck on the Spoiler in the OP and what it has to do with the subject of the thread.

[Opti]

Jul 8, 2024 19:44:58 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Jul 7, 2024 6:34:56 GMT -5 Opti said:

[img src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" alt="[img alt="[img class="smile" src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" alt=""]" src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" class="smile"]" class="smile"]

Crestie, the crested gecko is really what is called a display animal, so no help with even handling him safely to say Hi.

In fact since he is old and I think going blind, he is more dangerous to take out, so its safer for both of us if I do not.


*************

SPOILER: Click to show

Took quite some time to figure out a woman at a prior job, called Black S. Once I realized she was born in the late 50s or earlier things started to make sense.

DUH, race riots in NJ.

White S similar age! Probably not even a calendar year apart. 

END REQUEST 
)))))))))))))))))))


Hope I posted this in EE not YMAM! 

I am still stuck on the Spoiler in the OP and what it has to do with the subject of the thread.

Good thing is if you are stuck on it, it really doesn't matter. 

In other words, it is info you can safely ignore. HTH

[Opti]

Since it looks like I cannot return to sleep ...

The Hedgie is actually an interesting option. Shouldn't eat dairy. Allegedly does not eat much and you need to balance protein and other stuff very carefully. Apparently good pet owners use healthy dry cat food instead of hedgie food which usually has too many fillers for their delicate digestion. They need to avoid onions and scallions like Moon Shadow needed to.

[daisylu]

Jul 10, 2024 4:46:21 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jul 8, 2024 19:44:58 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

I am still stuck on the Spoiler in the OP and what it has to do with the subject of the thread.

Good thing is if you are stuck on it, it really doesn't matter. 

In other words, it is info you can safely ignore. HTH

It obviously has nothing to do with an animal request, at least I hope not. 

People should not ignore it. I have 2 nephews with the same first name (it is actually grandmother's maiden name). The oldest is white, the younger is black (his mom was adopted into the family), and I also have many mixed race relatives including Latino and Filipino. Anyway, I would never to either of my nephews as "White L" or "Black L".

I would say do better, but you've been told that multiple times.

ETA - I saw the OP the first day that it was posted and refrained from commenting because I know that I can get too emotional about the subject of race. Your flippant reply in what I quoted was just too much.

[weltz]

Get a couple of male dumbo rats.  Never just one rat. They're so much fun, as they're nature's comedians.

The dumbo rat is the most common species of domesticated rat kept as a pet, and they’ve been bred for companionship for so long that they’re docile and friendly.


pangovet.com/pet-breeds/rats/dumbo-rat/#:~:text=The%20dumbo%20rat%20is%20the,they're%20docile%20and%20friendly.

[resolution]

Jul 10, 2024 7:12:56 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Jul 10, 2024 4:46:21 GMT -5 Opti said:

Good thing is if you are stuck on it, it really doesn't matter. 

In other words, it is info you can safely ignore. HTH

It obviously has nothing to do with an animal request, at least I hope not. 

People should not ignore it. I have 2 nephews with the same first name (it is actually grandmother's maiden name). The oldest is white, the younger is black (his mom was adopted into the family), and I also have many mixed race relatives including Latino and Filipino. Anyway, I would never to either of my nephews as "White L" or "Black L".

I would say do better, but you've been told that multiple times.

ETA - I saw the OP the first day that it was posted and refrained from commenting because I know that I can get too emotional about the subject of race. Your flippant reply in what I quoted was just too much.

I also didn't respond to the OP because I saw the racial comment and had no clue how to address it.  Opti I strongly recommend that you leave race out of all of your posts.  I have seen a number of your posts that have hurt and offended others, and most of the time the reference to race was totally unneeded in the context of the post. I don't understand how race or someone's name is even related to looking for an emotional support animal.

A lot of the animals that have been recommended in this thread don't live very long. My recommendation for an emotional support pet would be something that has a longer life expectancy, like a small dog, cat, rabbit, or parrot. That way you won't go through the heartbreak of losing them quite so often. Also with a more common pet, it would be easier to find a good vet and information about proper care and diet.

[Opti]

Jul 10, 2024 20:21:27 GMT -5 resolution said:

Jul 10, 2024 7:12:56 GMT -5 daisylu said:

It obviously has nothing to do with an animal request, at least I hope not. 

People should not ignore it. I have 2 nephews with the same first name (it is actually grandmother's maiden name). The oldest is white, the younger is black (his mom was adopted into the family), and I also have many mixed race relatives including Latino and Filipino. Anyway, I would never to either of my nephews as "White L" or "Black L".

I would say do better, but you've been told that multiple times.

ETA - I saw the OP the first day that it was posted and refrained from commenting because I know that I can get too emotional about the subject of race. Your flippant reply in what I quoted was just too much.

I also didn't respond to the OP because I saw the racial comment and had no clue how to address it.  Opti I strongly recommend that you leave race out of all of your posts.  I have seen a number of your posts that have hurt and offended others, and most of the time the reference to race was totally unneeded in the context of the post. I don't understand how race or someone's name is even related to looking for an emotional support animal.

A lot of the animals that have been recommended in this thread don't live very long. My recommendation for an emotional support pet would be something that has a longer life expectancy, like a small dog, cat, rabbit, or parrot. That way you won't go through the heartbreak of losing them quite so often. Also with a more common pet, it would be easier to find a good vet and information about proper care and diet.

I am in an apartment and I myself might not live all that long. Some people really do not believe that I have suffered the discrimination I have and that's a problem. Its real. I had a woman finally give me the key to the kingdom on one head of nursing that it wasn't just that she preferred to hire black people, she tried to hire mostly from one single island. True.

I'd rather put no more details in as it might risk my ability to do future lawsuits. I need to make sure enough people are retired or work in a different company in order to even file it. Virgil thought I wasn't real either because there weren't many women in UNIX of my age. But we exist and yes I can prove it. 

I may not make it financially this month, as in on the eviction train, power turned off kind a thing. My current employer pays in such a way, that if you leave, your final paycheck might be your last regularly scheduled one anyway. So yes I'm angry and unhappy that everything is hitting the fan yet again in July. This might be worse than the one in 2017, but we will see. (If I did not need to go on FMLA etc. it would just be a bad month but ... 

Yes I know the ones I am selecting live short lives. That might be a good thing. If I am lucky, maybe the right kind of toad will appear on the property that I live on and I will take him or her in. It will make Crestie happier as there will be another critter living on the opposite side of the cage. It might make me get by depending on the actual toad. The last one did not like being handled all that much, but was less of a display animal.

YOU ARE THE HEALTHY MONIED ONES. Please for the love of all that is Holy, just block me for now if you don't like how I write. Should I survive this current debacle, current employer, NJ weather from hell, we can talk about it then. But seriously stop kicking me when I am down. 

[Opti]

I wish I could have been more concise in that post, but its not within my ability. I will remind everyone that pretending I am a broken down Sheldon from Big Bang Theory, helps most people get me a little better.

[msventoux]

Jul 10, 2024 23:37:53 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jul 10, 2024 20:21:27 GMT -5 resolution said:

I also didn't respond to the OP because I saw the racial comment and had no clue how to address it.  Opti I strongly recommend that you leave race out of all of your posts.  I have seen a number of your posts that have hurt and offended others, and most of the time the reference to race was totally unneeded in the context of the post. I don't understand how race or someone's name is even related to looking for an emotional support animal.

A lot of the animals that have been recommended in this thread don't live very long. My recommendation for an emotional support pet would be something that has a longer life expectancy, like a small dog, cat, rabbit, or parrot. That way you won't go through the heartbreak of losing them quite so often. Also with a more common pet, it would be easier to find a good vet and information about proper care and diet.

I am in an apartment and I myself might not live all that long. Some people really do not believe that I have suffered the discrimination I have and that's a problem. Its real. I had a woman finally give me the key to the kingdom on one head of nursing that it wasn't just that she preferred to hire black people, she tried to hire mostly from one single island. True.

I'd rather put no more details in as it might risk my ability to do future lawsuits. I need to make sure enough people are retired or work in a different company in order to even file it. Virgil thought I wasn't real either because there weren't many women in UNIX of my age. But we exist and yes I can prove it. 

I may not make it financially this month, as in on the eviction train, power turned off kind a thing. My current employer pays in such a way, that if you leave, your final paycheck might be your last regularly scheduled one anyway. So yes I'm angry and unhappy that everything is hitting the fan yet again in July. This might be worse than the one in 2017, but we will see. (If I did not need to go on FMLA etc. it would just be a bad month but ... 

Yes I know the ones I am selecting live short lives. That might be a good thing. If I am lucky, maybe the right kind of toad will appear on the property that I live on and I will take him or her in. It will make Crestie happier as there will be another critter living on the opposite side of the cage. It might make me get by depending on the actual toad. The last one did not like being handled all that much, but was less of a display animal.

YOU ARE THE HEALTHY MONIED ONES. Please for the love of all that is Holy, just block me for now if you don't like how I write. Should I survive this current debacle, current employer, NJ weather from hell, we can talk about it then. But seriously stop kicking me when I am down. 

I’m not a healthy monied one at this point. I quit my stressful job partially due to health issues and am currently probably what you describe as underfunded. Presumably I could go back to my career but feel it would be detrimental to my health to work those hours again at that stress level.

I love dogs and haven’t had one in years. I won’t get one now due to my financial situation because if some issue arises it would create a hardship I don’t want to deal with that and it would only create more stress for me. Likewise, given your situation and issues is it really in your best interest (or the animal’s best interest) to get another pet right now?  I well understand that it’s something to look forward to, but it could be a longer term goal once you at least have your transportation issues resolved.  As much comfort as pets provide the obligation also creates a certain amount of stress and financial drain. 

[Opti]

Jul 11, 2024 1:34:33 GMT -5 msventoux said:

Jul 10, 2024 23:37:53 GMT -5 Opti said:

I am in an apartment and I myself might not live all that long. Some people really do not believe that I have suffered the discrimination I have and that's a problem. Its real. I had a woman finally give me the key to the kingdom on one head of nursing that it wasn't just that she preferred to hire black people, she tried to hire mostly from one single island. True.

I'd rather put no more details in as it might risk my ability to do future lawsuits. I need to make sure enough people are retired or work in a different company in order to even file it. Virgil thought I wasn't real either because there weren't many women in UNIX of my age. But we exist and yes I can prove it. 

I may not make it financially this month, as in on the eviction train, power turned off kind a thing. My current employer pays in such a way, that if you leave, your final paycheck might be your last regularly scheduled one anyway. So yes I'm angry and unhappy that everything is hitting the fan yet again in July. This might be worse than the one in 2017, but we will see. (If I did not need to go on FMLA etc. it would just be a bad month but ... 

Yes I know the ones I am selecting live short lives. That might be a good thing. If I am lucky, maybe the right kind of toad will appear on the property that I live on and I will take him or her in. It will make Crestie happier as there will be another critter living on the opposite side of the cage. It might make me get by depending on the actual toad. The last one did not like being handled all that much, but was less of a display animal.

YOU ARE THE HEALTHY MONIED ONES. Please for the love of all that is Holy, just block me for now if you don't like how I write. Should I survive this current debacle, current employer, NJ weather from hell, we can talk about it then. But seriously stop kicking me when I am down. 

I’m not a healthy monied one at this point. I quit my stressful job partially due to health issues and am currently probably what you describe as underfunded. Presumably I could go back to my career but feel it would be detrimental to my health to work those hours again at that stress level.

I love dogs and haven’t had one in years. I won’t get one now due to my financial situation because if some issue arises it would create a hardship I don’t want to deal with that and it would only create more stress for me. Likewise, given your situation and issues is it really in your best interest (or the animal’s best interest) to get another pet right now?  I well understand that it’s something to look forward to, but it could be a longer term goal once you at least have your transportation issues resolved.  As much comfort as pets provide the obligation also creates a certain amount of stress and financial drain. 

I'm just going to have this thread locked and move on. I was hoping to wait, however someone who has known me since the mid 90s had suggested it because they felt I needed something more than just a display pet. I looked at my distressed Crestie and somedays its been hard with no Moon Shadow. I'm cutting up radishes and remember I used to feed him the tops. I miss the sound of somebody being happy that I am home. A critter to hold. I don't formally have a man in my life which would help a great deal but also introduce its own issues. 

It is in my interest to be careful and ask the universe for help. I realize I have also been giving more money than I can afford to my friend to get me to the clinic, etc. Rocks and hard places abound. IDK what I will do. TBD Went to order emergency health stuff and my pymt was declined, which turned out to be a good thing. In that I know I need to be super careful. 

I was supposed to get myself designing t-shirts on free websites to make extra $$$. Save Opti hopefully save pieces of the US/critters etc.

[toomuchreality]

I wish you well.