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Post by Sunshinemeg on Jan 25, 2005 18:37:11 GMT
After all the hard work to revamp the website and forum, let me know what you think! ;D
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Heddy
Foraging Degu
Posts: 63
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Post by Heddy on Jan 26, 2005 8:18:14 GMT
LOOOVE IT! ;D
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Post by kellynax on Feb 4, 2005 13:36:53 GMT
Very good, it'd be nice to see more people using it. Im the only person I know that has degu's but they are endearing themselves to all who meet them!
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Post by taz13 on Feb 4, 2005 14:25:07 GMT
I like the new format and hope to upload photos of my two degus.
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Feb 4, 2005 17:03:53 GMT
thats great! We look forward to seeing the pics! Rangler was moaning that no body had tried that yet!
SUNSHINEMEG ;D
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Post by sensuosa on Feb 17, 2005 2:07:47 GMT
It is most awesomely informative. Thank you , perhaps one day when things slow down , we are able to offer some assistance
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Feb 28, 2005 19:45:34 GMT
thankyou. with the site and the forum growing as quickly as it is, I do worry when I cant get to the forum every day, so if anyone is interested in being made a moderator, I will consider you! send me a PM!!!
SUNSHINEMEG ;D
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Post by Aimeelou on Mar 13, 2005 15:40:38 GMT
Brill site!! I think im the only person in Derbyshire (UK) who has them!! So its great i can meet people have them too- althogh no one is ever on when im online! .
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Mar 15, 2005 17:01:20 GMT
Aimeelou, check out the online thread, I have checked out when people are online based on uk times.
Its so good to see this site growing! I am glad everyone likes my hard work!
SUNSHINEMEG ;D
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Heddy
Foraging Degu
Posts: 63
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Post by Heddy on Mar 17, 2005 13:51:10 GMT
Its so good to see this site growing! I am glad everyone likes my hard work! Sunshinemeg, of course we do! I am really happy to have found an english speaking forum with nice people, who really care for their Degus! THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN!
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Post by ra on Mar 17, 2005 15:22:21 GMT
I can't tell you how glad I was to find your site! So far, I know of no one else that has a pet Degus. The information on the internet is varied and contridicts somewhat.
I really like being able to talk to other Degus owners who have first hand experience.
I am trying hard to be enough of a companion to my Virgil so that he does not become despondent or depressed. It's our third going on fourth week together and he seems entirely content. He chirps and whistles quietly to me when I am feeding him. He warbles when I scratch him and has even allowed me to scratch his ears and belly. My husband (who thinks I'm nuts spending time with a rodent talking etc) even said Virgil was chee-weeping to him when he was in the office writing checks.
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northernstar40
Foraging Degu
May you always have an angel by your side
Posts: 102
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Post by northernstar40 on Mar 19, 2005 4:24:56 GMT
WONDERFUL,GREAT.AWESOME !!!! FINALLY There isnt very many Degu owners in the good ole USA either. Nice to see so many here!!
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Heddy
Foraging Degu
Posts: 63
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Post by Heddy on Mar 23, 2005 13:55:08 GMT
My husband (who thinks I'm nuts spending time with a rodent talking etc) even said Virgil was chee-weeping to him when he was in the office writing checks. You could find me weeping, when somebody writes a check and I am locked out of reach. May I ask why you are keeping him alone? I think nothing can replace a fellow-degu and as they are really social animals, I think if there is any chance to get the degu a fellow, it should have one. Degus tend to suffer from extreme behavioural disorders more than most other pocket pets when kept alone for a while.
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Post by ra on Mar 23, 2005 16:50:01 GMT
Heddy, I have been very concerned about Virgil being alone. When I bought him, he was the only Degus available other than his parents - the breeding pair.
I specifically asked the pet store owner about buying just one and she said a young man who she knew well had bought the other available Degus as a single after doing research and finding with lots of attention a Degus can be kept alone.
After reading many, many post on various sites I continue to worry. I have had Virgil for one month this Saturday and watch him for signs of depression. So far he is doing well - no problems.
However, this being my first Degus how do I know what "well" is for a Degus?
I asked if they were certain he was a male and they sheepishly said no. I will have to acertain this myself before getting a cage mate for him/her? I don't want to breed nor do I want two fighting.
I called the pet store yesterday to check on his date of birth so I would know how old he is and they said their breeding pair just had another litter Monday night. Up until now I could not find another Degus to purchase in my area so I figured I'd just have to do my very best by Virgil. I am considering a cage mate from this litter but if he is truly a male that may present problems.
What to do?
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Heddy
Foraging Degu
Posts: 63
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Post by Heddy on Mar 24, 2005 12:45:16 GMT
Hello ra,
I heard quite a few times that pet shops assured degus can be kept alone. Some just do not know better (you even can get books still which do not tell you that you shouldn’t keep a degu on its own). Other pet shops obviously just ignore the fact that it is not good for a degu to be kept alone, as their aim is to sell pets. Both reasons are sad, but unfortunately true. I was really pleased when I saw a pet shop with a remark at the degu cage “only sold as couples” and some information about their special diet.
I can only recommend to always keep them in groups. In addition to the degu’s good, as soon as you established a working group, you will enjoy playing with the degus and watching them even more. Their social behaviour is really interesting.
Even if Virgil is a male, you can set up a group. The ranking will be fought out in female groups just as often as in male groups and how intense these fights are depends on the very degus.
How to set up a group…this might end up a lively topic, I think I open a new topic under the title of “setting up a new herd” in the meeting place to describe a few ideas how you can get Virgil together with a new degu without much trouble. I think this might keep it easier to overview when other people want to post their ideas about it, too.
First of all, of course, you need to know, what gender Virgil is. You get the best “view” by putting him in a glass bowl, cover up the top, so he cannot jump out. Have a look through the glass. Compare it to the pictures on Sunshinemegs site. If you need more reassurance, a sketch that helped me, when sexing our boys is the following one: o uretha - vagina | anus female
o uretha | | anus male
Where are you living? Probably someone in the forum is living close to you and can help you with sexing Virgil.
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Mar 24, 2005 20:54:55 GMT
HI guys
Sorry to be a pain, and its great that everyone is chatting, but can we keep to topic? this thread in particular cause I come here to see what people want me to do to make the forum better!
Sorry to be mean!!
Start a thread called sexin virgil!! hehe
SUNSHINEMEG ;D
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Post by ra on Mar 24, 2005 21:44:16 GMT
No you are right. so sorry to have gotten off topic.
Thank you for the chat thread that's a great idea.
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Post by Aimeelou on May 25, 2005 12:53:29 GMT
Hi meg If you ever need a hand with moderating the forum, just let me know. Id be more than willing to help.
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Jun 7, 2005 14:56:36 GMT
Im ok until September when I start teaching, I am thinking or making a couple of willing volunteers staff members then, just so I can keep on top of all this!
I will remember your offer! It may come back to haunt you soon!
SUNSHINEMEG ;D
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Post by billie on Jul 11, 2005 21:24:21 GMT
Hi Guys, This is my first post. I think the site is great & refer to it whenever I have a question about my "Degu Babies" (Ethel & Maude - will post some pitures soon).I believe them both to be female although I have to say I think Degus might just be the toughest mammals I have ever tried to sex (I'm a qualified Veternairy Nurse & managed a Pet Store for 3 years) I've sexed all the usual "pocket pets" , I'm still not convinced that they aren't going to turn out to be Ethan & Merv.I don't work with animals now (married life eh?) but hubby is very understanding. I arrived home from a weeks holiday in Cornwall with my degus (don't worry -they travelled in style & stayed in the store until the journey home)he just asked what they were & helped me set up their home. 3 weeks on & after lots of research(thanks you guys for such a fab & informative site)& they have a lovely large new house with plenty of toys. :-)
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