Sometimes People Are the Worst ..... my story

Last weekend, I sold a pair of Patagonian mara pups. One was perfectly healthy, but the other, whom I named “Squirrel,” had some injuries from birth—a missing toe and some damage around her mouth, which left her with a hair lip. Despite her special needs, Squirrel was sweet and had received full veterinary care and treatment before leaving me.

Because of her injuries and her close bond with her sister, I offered Squirrel at a significant discount, specifically to ensure they could stay together. Unfortunately, less than a week later, a friend spotted Squirrel being sold at a herp show for 2.5 times the price I charged. The seller falsely claimed her injury was a cleft palate.

We’re heartbroken and feel deceived. We tried to contact the seller to offer a refund and reclaim Squirrel if she hadn’t been sold, but he’s not responding. It’s disheartening, and we’re wary of shows where impulse buyers might not research their purchases.

It’s been a tough lesson. We’ve raised animals for years and always try to screen potential buyers carefully. We thought we could trust this person, given his collection of exotics, but that turned out to be a mistake. I’m trying not to dwell on it too much, but it’s been a difficult experience.

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I just looked up these little creatures (I’d never heard of them before), and wow, they are absolutely adorable!

I’m really sorry about what happened to you and Squirrel. It’s heartbreaking to think about how confused and unsettled she must be, especially given how close she was to her sister. :pensive:

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They are truly amazing animals. While they are relatively easy to care for compared to other exotics, they’re still not like a cat or dog, so you need to understand what you’re getting into. Here’s a picture of Squirrel from a few weeks ago, along with her mom (on the right) and her dad (also on the right).

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Oh, I just want to give her a big hug! I can imagine they have their own unique quirks. We have pugs, a Chesapeake, and a marmoset, so some days can be pretty busy! I’ll definitely need to do more research on Patagonian maras.

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Coastal South TX, roughly halfway between Houston and the Mexico border.

I can’t imagine trying to keep up with a marmoset! It must be like having a very active toddler all the time. Do you have any pictures to share?

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Got it, so it’s not outside the U.S.—that’s good to know if I ever decide to add one to my little zoo!

I do have pictures! I’m not sure how to attach them here, so I’ll send you a message with them. Owen definitely keeps things lively, but we love him and can’t imagine life without him. I’m already eyeing an owl monkey next!

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