Sparky

We have another skunk. :-) In September I went to an advert site that has exotic animals advertised (amongst lots of other stuff) and I saw the skunk and contacted the man to see if he was selling the skunk because of a problem that I could maybe help him with. But no, he said he didn't have enough time for the skunk. So I left it at that, thinking skunks sell like hot cakes so he'll find a home. Then middle of November I happened to go to the site again. I was on the rabbit list and somebody wrote that they saw this rabbit advertised and the woman said she must stop looking at those advertising pages. So what do I do? Go to the exotics advertisements. And the skunk had just been put back on 2 days previously. So this was meant to be, right? So 2 days later (Wednesday 26th November) we went and got him. His name was Roary but I find it impossible to pronounce so he's now called Sparky. He was scared and nervous because his previous owner didn't have enough time to spend with him, this is why he sold him. After we had him 2 weeks he was already a lot better. I think he's relaxed here because Peppy and Blossom are relaxed and he feels safe in their company. I pick him up sometimes when he's asleep in bed ;-) because then he can't run away. I don't want to chase him to pick him up. At first it took so long before he settled down in my arms, now he enjoys it much more. I'm sure it won't be long before he's coming for cuddles. His face is a bit like Tyler's so it's like I have a bit of Tyler back. Sparky is 1 year old like Blossom which is good, Peppy is 4.

It took him a while to figure out the cat flap, I had to help him through a few times before he went by himself, now he and Blossom spend a lot of time outside, even in the frost. Luckily he gets on just fine with Peppy and Blossom and they often sleep together, either with the dogs in their new huge bed or in their carrier.

It's the 4th of January 2009 now and I can easily pick up Sparky now. He is nowhere near as scared and nervous anymore. I often pick him up before I feed him, I put his plate on the floor and then him so he knows that good things follow being picked up. ;-) He's a very good boy and very sweet. Except when I prepare food as he'll get very impatient and will bite my trousers/ legs/ knees if I'm not quick enough... He doesn't bite Pete when he prepares the kefir which goes on their evening vegetables or when he stirs/ mixes the food. Nope, only I get bitten. I hope to take some better pictures of him soon when he's calm. I'm not sure I can take photos when he's eating as he is so greedy and so scared that somebody will take his food away, he always stands right on the plate on his food to stop anybody eating it. I hope he will soon figure out that nobody here wants it. ;-)