New Rescues X Two

I meant to post this earlier but who knew how fleeting my free time would be juggling a full-time job, a zoo, a boyfriend, a social life, and online classes. Trying to work on my time management skills. Need to, actually.

Last Sunday, I drove about 45 minutes to pick up two dragons from someone who was going to college and could no longer continue to care for them. I met up with his father who was kind enough to meet me halfway between our respective homes and along with the dragons donated their tanks, lighting, and accessories. We managed to smuggle it all into my little Beetle and off I went back home with two new bearded dragons in tow.

Once I got home, I finally got a good luck at the pair and was taken aback. I was told they were healthy (the people did care for them greatly) but there were obvious signs these guys hadn't been receiving proper care. The girl, now named Daisy (seriously, who names a female dragon Godzilla...), was the worst of the pair. Despite being seven years old she's about the size of my eight month old Fuego, her hips and spine are visible, and her jaw is obviously deformed from MBD. Despite this, she is by far the most absolute doll of a dragon I have ever encountered and I can't wait until she fattens up and gets into a better state.

The male, now Pacino, has a much better body condition but he's still short for being six years old and his head seems massive and disproportionate to the rest of his frame. This poor guy is a bundle of stress and tends to panic whenever I have to handle him regardless of how brief. Luckily for me, he doesn't show aggression so giving him time to settle in and calm down a bit and keeping interaction as short as possible for the time being.

Bowel talk here so feel free to stop reading if you get squeamish. So far, only Daisy has pooped and that was only one small, not well formed fecal that she did inside of her tank on Monday which had pieces of undigested beardie bites which were fed by the previous owners. Despite baths every other day, I haven't gotten anything else out of them despite trying belly massages so if there's nothing tomorrow will mix in some olive oil and see if that does the trick. I know, owning reptiles is very glamorous and you can't wait to follow suit. 

Just a Little Rant...

As a rescuer for the reptile rescue, and a volunteer at an animal shelter, I have heard every excuse under the sun for people surrendering their animals. Sometimes, the people have valid reasons and I will never fault a person who is forced to give up an animal for reasons beyond their control and my heart breaks for the pain they must be suffering.

But, I am beyond tired of all the Craig's List ads I have been seeing where people "don't have time for their -fill in reptile here-" so they are rehoming it for usually an insane fee. 

Most reptiles don't require a lot of handling; it's one of the benefits of owning them. How do people not find 20-30 minutes each day, or even every other day, to take a snake out and let it curl around their bodies or explore a safe space?

I work full-time, am taking classes towards my MBA, volunteer at the animal rescue, see my friends & family on a somewhat regular basis, and I still magically find the time to make sure all of my animals are fed, all their cages kept clean, give them some outside-of-tank-time, and even managed to squeeze in additional moments with Katara who currently needs to be syringe fed and given almost daily soaks.

It's not easy. I miss some sleep here and there. I might have to skip out on a night out from time to time. These are my animals. I took them in and I can bother to take the time out of my schedule to meet their limited requirements.

Please, if you are thinking of getting a pet take the time to research what they need and ensure you can fit them into your lifestyle so someone like me doesn't have to take over your responsibility.

Vote for Fuego and Katara!

I entered both of my permanent dragons into a contest to win a leash from Ogle R Pets and am not above asking you to help (don't you feel lucky!).

All you have to do is "like" the pictures of them I entered on Facebook which you can do by clicking on Katara's picture and Fuego's picture.

Promise a more in-depth entry is coming (included how I woke up early to boil sweet potato so it would be mushy enough to add to the dragons' salads).

Thanks to all those who vote/voted!

Where to Begin...

It's been a few weeks since my last post so my apologies there. I got caught up in the whirlwind of work, starting a MBA program, and a short vacation. Now that I'm home, and adjusting to the additional pressures of being in classes, plan to write on a regular basis.

Well, since my previous entry enough has happened with the dragons. Katara has been having unpleasant bowel movements the last week or so which leads me to believe the medication did not eradicate the parasites. Planning on getting another fecal done on her but since the odor has been horrendous, I know that at least the coccidia remains so am trying a new medication to see if it helps. On top of her digestive issues, the poor girl went through an entire body shed so imagine she's been less than comfortable the last few days. I peeled most of it off in her bath this evening and she's showing a much brighter yellow, some green, and a more defined pattern on her back. Once she stops hissing and puffing out at me (she was less than cooperative when I gave her the medicine) I'll try to get a clear picture and compare it to one when she first arrived. 

Fuego is also in full shed mode so his mood is dampened as well. He's been getting daily soaks to help, which he despises, so I'm really not on the top of his good list at the moment. I intend to buy a digital scale with my next paycheck so I can track the dragons (and Memphis') weights but I know just by appearance that Fuego has been packing on the pounds in a good way. Just hoping he doesn't devour all the supers I have on hand before the shipment of roaches arrives later this week. Not going to hold my breath.

And, this is very tentative/unknown, but I might be taking in a "rescue" dragon from CT. There is a person who needs to rehome three dragons as they are off to college and hasn't had any luck placing them. On behalf of the rescue, I reached out and offered to foster one, and place the others with different rescuers, until we could find a suitable home. Glad I decided to clean Jabba's temporary tank tonight...

One Less Dragon

Jabba went to his new home yesterday. Actually, I delivered him there as he was adopted by my good friend Kim who I've known since college. She saw a picture I posted on Twitter and fell in love so Jabba is now living close to the city with a hedgehog and a ball python as siblings. I also get the added benefit of being able to visit him which makes me, and my boyfriend, very, very happy indeed.

While I am now down a dragon, the work has not diminished much other than having to make one less salad in the morning (today he missed mustard greens, turnip greens, strawberries, and cilantro), minus one struggling beardie during bath time, and a half an hour where I don't need to lock my cats in the basement so a dragon can safely explore the kitchen and living room. Still, miss the chubby guy but I know he's with some great people being adored upon and I now can plan for rescues in the future.

In other reptile new, despite only accumulating about four hours of sleep last night, I managed to go shopping this morning for dragon salad ingredients, made said salads, bathed Fuego and Katara (separately), and took my rescue leopard gecko out for a bit of exploring while I cleaned his tank and gifted him with a new hide thanks to the accessories I got from Katie. Before I go to sleep, which may happen at any moment as my eyelids continue to grow heavier with every key stroke, I still need to feed Memphis and mist down his cage. Tomorrow, he'll have his cage cleaned thoroughly and I'll continue working on his socialization. Maybe, just maybe, I can get him to stay still for more than thirty seconds so I can take some photographs not utilizing my cellphone.

This week, intend to write entries on Katara's continued battle with parasites, the process of trying to find a new home for Vader, and my plans for making Memphis' adult tank.

(One of) My Dragon Hates Me

It's difficult owning an animal that really cannot stand you. Katara has been through a lot, more than I can imagine, and intended to spoil her rotten so she would realize how amazing her life is/going to be with me and shower me with dragon kisses and general affection. My plan started out well as she happily explored when I took her out of her tank but also made sure to scuttle over and investigate me and even take short breaks perched on the pillow besides me or even on my lap from time time.

Then came the vet visit.

Seeing the vet wasn't all that bad for her. She handles travel pretty well and didn't mind people picking her up and taking her picture. The problem came about a week afterwards when I got a call from them letting me know Katara had two different types of parasites and needed separate medications to treat them. One of the medicines she took fine (must have tasted OK) but the other she fought with all her will and underdeveloped muscles to try and not have to ingest which then forced me to force her into taking it.

Ever since she bats me with her front legs when I try to pet her, wiggles to get out of my hands when I pick her up, and spends all of her time out of her tank ignoring me. I know she's an animal but it honestly hurts a bit that what trust I had started to build with her disappeared entirely due to a medication.

Trying to keep faith that in time she'll "forgive and forget" and we can work on building a bond again.

Jabba Available for Adoption

The bittersweet moment has arrived as Jabba got the all healthy assessment at the vet yesterday so he is now available for adoption. In only a week, I have fallen hard for this not so little guy and know that giving him up will be heart breaking. Hoping, just as my boyfriend is, that someone one of us knows will adopt him so we can get updates and maybe a visit here and there.

For those who might be interested, or want to pass the information along, here are Jabba's stats -

• Approximately one year old
• Weighs 550 grams (could lose some weight) and measure about 16 inches
• Currently eating live feeders twice a day (dubia roaches & super worms) and a salad (have tried mustard greens, collard greens, cilantro, and zucchini)
• Tolerates baths but doesn't enjoy them
• Adoption Fee is $50 

Despite his chubby appearance, he loves darting across my apartment floors and has quite an adventurous spirit.  He will submit to some cuddling but being not an adult yet he prefers to stay on the move as if by resting he'll miss something. He doesn't get stressed easily and seems un-phased by my cats and showed no signs of distress the entire time we waited at the vet to be seen despite lots of noises, people, and animals. I believe he'll do best with someone who has the time and ability to let him roam out of his cage for 30+ minutes everyday as he truly does enjoy moving around and exploring.

If you have any questions on Jabba, or on the adoption process, please email me at laurenobrien@reptilerescue.us

Many thanks.