🐾 The Ones Who Started It All | Meet Benji and Wilford

Benji and Wilford enjoying a snack together in their new home

Every story has a beginning—and for Mountain Grove Gliders, it started with two very special boys: Benji and Wilford.

🌙 Before the Grove Grew...

Just before The Grove Keepers settled into their new home, they made a life-changing decision: to adopt their first sugar gliders. In August of 2023 at a local shop, they were introduced to two very different souls.

The first was Wilford Brimley—a gentle, quiet glider who was already five years old. He sat alone in his enclosure, overlooked time and again in favor of younger, livelier joeys. His eyes told a story of waiting—waiting for someone to choose him. The moment the Grove Keepers laid eyes on him, they knew they couldn’t leave him behind. Wilford deserved a soft landing.

Wilford resting after a long day of playing with his young new friend Benji

But gliders are social creatures, and Wilford was the only adult glider available. So they also brought home a younger companion: a four-month-old male named Benjamin Button.

4-month old Benjamin Button peering out and curious about his new world

💫 The First Pair

Benjamin, now known as Benji, was curious and spirited from the start. Though they were years apart in age, the two formed a quick and easy friendship. Wilford, calm and wise, seemed to enjoy showing the ropes to his younger cage mate. Benji, meanwhile, adored his older friend and followed him like a fuzzy little shadow.

The Grove Keepers enjoyed several sweet months watching the two bond and blossom.

🌧️ A Gentle Goodbye

One quiet evening, Wilford grew sluggish. One of the Grove Keepers, having read about the importance of acting quickly when gliders show signs of illness, made plans to call a vet the next morning.

By the time morning came, Wilford had worsened. The Grove Keepers scheduled an appointment right away—but soon realized they couldn’t wait. They called the clinic back and were told to bring him in immediately.

Sadly, Wilford passed away in the car, just minutes before reaching the vet. He left this world cradled in love.

The vet gently confirmed what the Grove Keepers had feared: at five years old, Wilford was considered geriatric, and his passing was simply a peaceful end to a long life. Though his time in the Grove was short, it was filled with warmth, safety, and joy—and the Grove Keepers were grateful to have given him that.

🐾 Benji’s Next Chapter

Wilford’s passing left Benji alone—and gliders do not do well in isolation. These social creatures live happiest in pairs or small colonies, and many can become severely depressed, even self-harming, if left without a companion.

So, the Grove Keepers began their next mission: find Benji a new friend.

But Benji had ideas of his own.

Though he had bonded easily with Wilford, he didn’t seem quite so open to anyone else. Every new introduction came with side-eye, crabbing, or flat-out rejection. Finding the right match for Benji was going to take time—and a lot of patience.

But that story? That comes next...

🐾 Why It Matters

Wilford’s story is a reminder that older gliders deserve love too. While they may not have the years ahead that younger gliders do, they still crave companionship, affection, and a soft place to land. Giving an aging glider a loving home—no matter how brief—can mean the world to both of you.

And Benji’s journey? It shows that sugar gliders, like people, form unique bonds. Some relationships are instant. Others take time—and care—to grow.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we follow Benji’s journey to finding the perfect friend.

Until then,

🕊️ The Grove Keepers