It's time for SGGA 2006! Let's get excited!

Last year was the first time I had attended an SGGA, and I just had the most fun - ever! The SGGA is a place to get to meet others who are interested in "all things sugar glider" - check out the link to get the full story.

I met so many people that I had come to know online, and we all had such a wonderful time. But all is not "party time" at the SGGA. We had a representative from the USDA who discussed licensing laws and how to get an application to become a licensed breeder in the US (these adorable little pets are NOT legal to own in ALL states), and he answered any questions the audience had. We also learned that it is illegal to sell sugar gliders if you have four or more females (a USDA breeder's license is required since these are exotic pets - and they are NOT the "perfect pet" for all people - even if they are legal within a particular state, they may be ILLEGAL in a particular county, town, or city).

We also had demonstrations on various topics. Perhaps one of the most interesting (from a scientific perspective) was a demonstration by Dr. Bruce who shared slides of various aspects of glider anatomy (which highlighted the point why it's NOT a good idea to feed a sugar glider nuts (though they love them) - but there are other reasons too. When I saw the size of their little "pipes" leading to their wee tiny little tummies, I stopped feeding my glider, Sugi, his 1/4 peanut, which I used to give him every so often. I had no idea of the risk of aflatoxins until I met up with some more experienced glider owners. The potential for a glider to choke on something like a nut, or other hard substance, is far too great. I also learned the mechanics of how a glider eats (they are sap-suckers by nature, and as such, do not really chew so much as they "press" the juices out of their food. Then, they spit out the rest); so, this one demonstration alone was well worth my having attended the SGGA! I love my gliders, and I want to give them the best possible life. Since gliders have a life-span of 12 - 15 years . . . they are owed no less!

Other demonstrations included: how to trim sugar glider's nails (tricky, indeed! - and it does take two people unless your glider is very relaxed); how to decorate a glider's cage; what material/toys are best suited for glider play, and perhaps, most importantly of all - how to properly fit an e-collar if your glider is beginning to self-mutilate. Fitting an e-collar on a glider is very difficult, and also will, more than likely, require two people. This demonstration alone, was also worth attending the SGGA!

One of the most horrifying things I learned during the e-collar demonstration was that if a glider is not properly restrained by an e-collar - and self-mutilation is beginning - that glider can die within an hour!

Of course, there were a lot of fun activities, too. We all received a "goody bag" when welcomed to the hotel, which was just packed full of neat stuff: bottled water, free food samples, and mealworms (courtesy of GrubCo - where I buy all of my mealies) for the gliders; various trinkets from the sponsoring vendors, including some really neat cage pouches, teasers, and other goodies!

One of the craziest things I'd ever seen was the Gliderese contest. The Gliderese contest involved volunteers getting up in front of the audience (I think there were over 150 people there) and the contestants had to mimic sugar glider sounds/vocalizations, which was called out by the facilitator!

Now, sugar gliders have a very wide range of vocalizations; so, this was quite a show - to say the least! From what I recall, I believe there were three judges in addition to the facilitator. The facilitator would call the sound to be mimicked, and each of the participants, in turn, had to "make that sound" by stepping up to the microphone. This was most definitely a wild and crazy time!

As those "fearless souls" began to file in line to "give things a go." I sat back in my chair fully intent on enjoying this spectacle, and I laughed out loud and made the comment, "Oh, can you believe those people!" then, a little voice in the back of my head kicked in and said, "What in the heck, you are out-of-state -- why not give this thing a go? You talk to Sugi all the time! So, there I went! I got out of my chair and moved to the end of the line. I could hear my 12-year old daughter in the background saying "Oh my God, there she goes!"

Sometimes, I'm just too wacky, impulsive, and "over-the-top" for my own good... there were, I think, about 20 contestants in that line-up (including a Canadian Idol pal of mine), and things got so crazy up there that I even lost my place in the line - a few of us did - but we all had a great time! There was a lot of giggling, laughing, egging each other on, and supporting one another! I froze up on one or two of the sounds, but I think it was my "free-style" that got the audience all excited. I actually WON that contest! Somewhere here on the Internet there are pictures of my "crowning achievement"! HA!

You only live once -- grab life fully by the horns and hang on as tight as you can and make the most of things! That has GOT to be one of the craziest things I have ever done in my life. Now, there are others, of course, but I'm not talking about them - just yet.

Check out the SGGA website, and I truly hope to see you there in July!