Introducing Speedy and Ballerina Dooley!

Today was finally Pet Day. Jonathan has been waiting five Fridays for this day! We set out to Incredible Pets (our local, air-conditioned pet store that is so big it is almost as satisfying as a trip to the zoo!) with our minds made up. Jonathan and I talked last night and we decided on gerbils. I was happy when we went back to Incredible Pets because they still had the same sweet brown baby gerbils. I was charmed by them on a previous visit because they were snacking on mini pretzels. I have gone in and petted them a few times and they seem exceptionally tame. And at $9.99 each, can a pet get much cheaper? We told them we wanted two females and I am hoping and praying that the two employees that checked their parts were correct. I really don't want a lot of gerbil babies on my hands. That would be such a ridiculous problem to have! The two gerbils were put in little carrier boxes, and we made our way home. Anna held her gerbil, Ballerina, in the box in her lap, and Jonathan held his gerbil, Speedy, in his lap. They kept sticking their little noses out of the breathing holes! So cute! And to those of you who will read this and cringe (or possible shriek in terror!) I have to say, rodents ARE CUTE! Come on.... Mickey? Minnie? An American Tale? That adorable little mouse with ill-fitting clothes? Gus and all his little mice friends from Cinderella? Ratatouille? I am sure there are other examples!
Anyways, we got them home and set up in their cage. They seemed happy to see each other, like they were genuinely glad to be reunited. (Hopefully as friends, as sisters, and not long lost lovers...) I tried to paint on Speedy with a magic marker (non-toxic) so we could tell them apart, but it didn't work. I think if I owned a Bingo marker it might work. Anyways, the kids and Dave think they can tell them apart. Speedy has more dark fur on his back and I think he is a little smaller than Ballerina. (By the way, aren't my kids amazing? Can you imagine more perfect names than Speedy and Ballerina for pet gerbils?) The kids are thrilled, and kept saying how much they like their new pets, and saying thank you. I am so happy for them! After being housebound all this week with this bad virus, I am grateful for this happy occasion for the kids. Making it through your first month of school is a big deal and deserves a noteworthy event to mark it, I think! So far, Speedy and Ballerina are ignoring their assorted playthings and chewtoys and concentrating soley on escape. I am going to get them both those ball things so they can run around the house. I really am concerned my Mom might never come visit us again. I guess we can always go to her house, right?


Dave at Incredible Pets holding our new pets.

Ballerina and Speedy at home in their new cage!

Jonathan and Anna waiting to pick out their gerbils.

Anna and Jon both have a gerbil, Dave has everything else. He's a good man. For letting us have rodents even though I know he isn't completely thrilled about it.

Jonathan with Speedy outside of Incredible Pets.

Anna with Ballerina.

On the way home with our new furry friends.

Speedy stretching up to get a good look at his new surroundings.

Jonathan posing with Speedy.

I think they like each other.... So cute!