Saying Goodbye to Squiggy

Getting him used to the shipping bag

With his box

One more cute picture

My daughter & I both gave him kisses. I cried. 

In his bag, in the box, ready to ship

After a LLLLOOOONNNNNGGGGGG night of anxiously waiting, Squiggy arrived at his new home this morning at 7:33 am Utah time (9:33 FL time). He was cool from traveling overnight, but was alert and curious about his new home. It will take him some time to settle in, but I have no doubts that he will adjust quickly and grow to love his new beardie momma.

A New Adventure

Tonight is the night that Squiggy is heading to his new home. The box is ready, the weather is perfect, the shipping is arranged-- I can even take him directly to the FedEx building at our airport to save him a ride around town on a FedEx truck. It's all arranged.

And I am SOOO nervous!

I hope he does okay in transit. I have NO fears about where he's going. He'll be great. It's just getting him there that will be nerve-wracking for this beardie momma.

Now I'm going to soak the little guy so he's totally hydrated for the trip.

Sunday Sun Time

The weather was beautiful yesterday so I took 4 of the 6 beardies outside. I also had two tortoises outside and my two dogs. It was great!

A Full House

Spike after a long day of sunning & playing at our house

Between my three beardies (Lizzie, Max, & SweetPea) and my two rescues (Squiggy & Thor) and the beardie we are babysitting, Spike, we have a FULL beardie house! Five of the six are boys so we have lots of interesting head bobbing displays around here. They are all vying to be the top dragon and to impress the lone female. Sadly for them, SweetPea could care less for any of them. They'd be lucky if she even blinks at them.

Hopefully, we'll find Thor a good home in the next few days. Squiggy will be adopted by his biggest fan in Florida. I'm currently arranging for his shipping "chariot" to carry him to his new home near the beach. Then we'll be down to the regular three.

Another Little Rescue-- Lil Foot

Meet Lil Foot, a 2 year old red foot tortoise with lots of problems. He is severely stunted in his growth, has a missing foot, has eye problems, has had shell rot, and was just diagnosed with severe Metabolic Bone Disease. I've had to soak him several times a day because his eyes seal themselves shut. I finally took him to my vets last Tuesday and they diagnosed him with MBD. He got a high dose calcium shot and gets liquid calcium daily. 

He's a cute little guy. I sure hope he pulls through and starts growing. He loves to be outside. 

Way, way too small for a 2 year old

Breakfast time with Hermy

"Mom? Is that you?" 

Outside with Squiggy

He loves the grass

All of his problems were totally preventable with proper care & diet. No reptile should EVER get MBD. It makes me SOOO angry!

Thor, rescue number 11

Finally! A nice, healthy, functional, social beardie to rehome! Phew! After the trauma of the baby beardie, I am relieved to have an easy placement.

Cutie boy hanging out on the back of the couch

Amazing set up here 

I expect this guy to go soon! Which is good because we don't have a lot of room around here any more. Had to move Squiggy into my room for now.

My First Real Failure in Rescue-- Beardie #10

At the end of June, I bought a rare baby beardie at a local PetSmart. He was a translucent leatherback for $60 instead of over $150 from a breeder. It was my first experience with baby beardies-- and probably my last. 

I brought him home, set up his tank, and tried not to stress over how tiny he was. 

About a week after I got him, he stopped eating. And I started force feeding him. Last night, I was positive that he would die on me. It was a terrible feeling. I've done everything right for him-- lights, misting, heat, food, etc. I've charted his weight, his feedings, his force feedings. Nothing is working. Two days ago, he ate three small crickets. Yesterday, he ate nothing and hardly moved. Last night, I gave him a bath to really  hydrate him. He drank a lot and I think that is why he survived the night.

Today, he looks like this (see picture below). He won't hardly move. He won't open his eyes. He looks ill. He locks his elbows to keep his head up and won't lay down flat. Because I missed my 14 day return window by 4 days, I have to take him back to the store after 2 when the manager is in to override the return. PetSmart is GREAT when it comes to sickly pets. They will continue to force feed him and take him to the vet. They will do all they can to get him healthy again.

This has been the most stressful beardie I have ever owned! I don't think I'll do babies again. I can handle the adult ones that are infected or damaged or handicapped or neglected. I can't do babies. They are too hard and it's too sad to watch them slowly die. :(

Update-- ADDED 7/17/13

I called the pet store this morning to see how the baby's vet visit went and was told to call the vet. The vet's office doesn't actually open much on Wednesday so it took several times to get through. They reported the baby was a no-show. So then I called the pet store and talked to a different employee who said the baby was in the tank with the other babies.

WHAT?!?!?

After talking to the manager, the baby was pulled and put in solitary where he can be force fed every hour. There was a colossal communication problem between the vet's office & the pet store. The baby has a 9 am appt tomorrow. We'll see what happens from there.

Final Update-- ADDED 8/14/13

Baby beardie ended up having to be put to sleep two weeks ago. He was too sickly to survive. I think it was some genetic abnormality that was the biggest problem. I'm glad he is out of his misery.

City Parade & the Beardies

Our city parade runs on the road by our house and so we took two of our beardies outside to enjoy the sunshine. Max only lasted about 10 minutes before he was ready to be out of the public eye. 

Squiggy stayed the whole time. He didn't mind the sirens & lights or the little kids who came over to gawk at him & pet him. I was so impressed with him. He loved being in public and in the sun. 

Max with my daughter

Squiggy checking out the parade goers

Our good friends had their own float

Squiggy watching the kids chase after candy

I love taking beardies out in public because they act as great ambassadors for their breed! I answer questions, teach people about beardies, and let kids see how cool they are.