Update: September 23, 2008

Both boys are doing great. It took about 2 1/2 months for them to be really comfortable in their new digs. It wasn't until they were really "at home" when I introduced them to the rest of the business. Boy that didn't take long at all. About 1 1/2 later they moved in to the fert room with the others. They all sleep and play together now like they've been together forever. Titus has his winter coat already, Marlin is a little slower for that part. Been to visit Doc and they are healthy little dudes he says. We actually get kisses now too. They are such a great addition to the Harmony House business!

Update: March 27, 2008

But I don't want Titus to be an unhappy mess either. Very hard place. I don't care if he bites me, I only care that he is happy. Abe bit me for a while too and he turned out to be a happy little dude in the end. Took a few months though

John and I were thinking that it might help if we let them have free roam during the day. Not yet at night cause he got under the covers yesterday while John was still asleep and bit his leg bad. So, if they are out and free all day and only go into the cage when we are asleep, maybe that will help. We are going to move the dresser so they can't get on it and jump over the door barrier, then they can stay out while we're not home. We'll try that for a bit and see how it goes. He is letting me love on him more when I wake him up and last night when I put them to bed, I sat with my arm in the door and pet him and he really seemed relaxed and enjoyed it. I talked softly to him and just kept telling him I wanted him to be happy and that I loved him so very much. He even closed his eyes. as soon as I stopped petting he looked up at me, when I started again, he lay back down. He is weird about his toys still, like he thinks I am going to steal them from him. So I told him again last night that they were his and I would not take them. I said "I gave them to you, they are yours. I wanted you to have them cause I love you and I will never take them away from you"

I don't want you to be all worried about him. If you want them back, tell me please. I want to do what's best for them both, which right now seems like two different things which makes it so hard. I don't want to give up. He is eating and pooping good so doesn't seem to be under stress.

Sunday they finally all came out together. I opened the whole house and they (all 10) ran about together for almost 2 hours. They did great. No fights and lots of butt sniffing. No one seemed upset or bad at all. the boys were much less frightened too, since they have been having little meetings with everyone. Marlin actually went about a lot on his own. They had never been in the ferret room before so they found it fascinating. They were in their room too when the others were investigating it and there were no issues. Most of the time the other kids were in the boys room, the boys were in the ferret room so it worked out well. my others live to play in he tub so they did that a bit too. Titus was not bothered at all by them being around his toys cause none of the other kids even touched them so it worked out well again.

I really want to make them happy and have them be a part of the family. It's just going to require more time than the rest of the kids took. You warned me this might happen so I am fully prepared.

The biting hard has always been there so I really do not think it's cause of the big outing. If I stick my arm under the bed, he attacks it like I'm going to take from him. He is fearful of losing what he has for some reason.

I have seen an improvement on the he "let me pet you" side though, especially last night at bed time. It was awesome. I do that when they get up too. SO now I will plan to stroke him for a few minutes more at night when he goes to bed. Like he was a baby!! He really seemed so content, it was awesome. Gave me faith that there was hope for him coming around. All I need is time and good quality touches. He only seems to like the petting at wake up and go to bed time, so that's what I'll focus on.