The longest night .......

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Allegra640 - 09 Sep 2003 02:09 GMT

Well, tonight's the night Vera & Lola begin relearning to eat on their own.
This hand-feeding stuff has gotten out of control and i really want to begin
getting them on a regular feeding schedule. So far, i'm incredibly depressed
... because they're depressed. They keep looking at me with those big,
beautiful eyes, as if to say, "mommy, why are you mad at us? why aren't you
feeding us?" They're pacing, confused ... and NOT eating. I know I should
stick to my guns, but it's killing me. I really feel like bawling my eyes out.

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Lois Reay - 09 Sep 2003 03:08 GMT

> Well, tonight's the night Vera & Lola begin relearning to eat on their own.
> This hand-feeding stuff has gotten out of control and i really want to begin
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> feeding us?" They're pacing, confused ... and NOT eating. I know I should
> stick to my guns, but it's killing me. I really feel like bawling my eyes out.

Purrs for things to get better for you soonest!
They will eat, leave food down for them at all times, even if it is dried
food.

Lois

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rrb_041303 - 09 Sep 2003 03:29 GMT

Allegra640 said:

Maybe you can ease them into it? Like take them over to the bowl, and
feed them a few pieces by hand. Make sure there is some food in the bowl
before you start this. Slowly lower your hand towards the bowl with a
piece of food in it, getting closer and closer to the bowl each time
before you give it to them. Eventually when they do get to grab the food
just set it in the food bowl and let them grab it out of the bowl. You
could also get them to the point using the same method where they will
eat it off the counter when you set the food piece down. Then slowly
move closer and closer to the bowl. Once they start grabbing the food
out of the bowl you probably won't have to place it in the bowl anymore
they will feed themselves. The trick I guess is to get them to know
where the food is.

I hope they soon are free feeding themselves.

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Mary - 09 Sep 2003 04:28 GMT

>They keep looking at me with those big,
>beautiful eyes, as if to say, "mommy, why are you mad at us? why aren't you
>feeding us?" They're pacing, confused ... and NOT eating. I know I should
>stick to my guns, but it's killing me. I really feel like bawling my eyes
>out.

It's squirrel baby season over here. I'm trying to get the nursing babies to
eat food on their own, applesauce with formula mixed out of a bowl, some soft
pieces of fruit. A few of them will have nothing of it and climb the cage
BEGGING me for food, peeping their high pitched mommy call, making
sucking/smacking noises with their lips at me as if they will starve to death.
I put the applesauce in the syringe and feed it to them and no problem, just
not out of a bowl. They will just suck the rim of the bowl. Ugh. I try not to
give in and syringe feed them as they are definitely old enough but then I
worry about them getting enough calories. I feel your pain.

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Sherry - 09 Sep 2003 13:31 GMT

>>They keep looking at me with those big,
>>beautiful eyes, as if to say, "mommy, why are you mad at us? why aren't you
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>give in and syringe feed them as they are definitely old enough but then I
>worry about them getting enough calories. I feel your pain.

It must be really precious to raise baby squirrels. We had one this summer
that utility workers brought to us. We had him 2 days before the wildlife rehab
people came and got him. We named him "Squirrely" and got quite attached to
him. The most endearing thing he did was climb up on you, crawl into your shirt
pocket, turn around and stick his head out. He was so little. I hope he
survives.

Sherry

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polonca12000 - 09 Sep 2003 11:10 GMT

That's so hard, but please persevere.
Hugs,

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Polonca & Soncek

> Well, tonight's the night Vera & Lola begin relearning to eat on their own.

<snip

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Christine Burel - 11 Sep 2003 04:20 GMT

Allegra, sending encouraging purs to your furkids and strengthening purrs
and hugs for you!
Christine

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Allegra640 - 11 Sep 2003 05:14 GMT

That's really sweet, Christine. Thanks so much.

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