After a couple months had past, a reptile expo came to a nearby city. After consideration, I decided i would go to the expo, after making that decision, my subconscious decided I was going to get another baby beardie.
*Flash forward*
RJ was about 3 months when I drove from New Hampshire to Connecticut to get him from the breeder that brought him to the expo. I didn't bring him home the day of the expo as I told myself I would leave no doubt I had everything he needed, and that I would be certain whatever facts I had acquired while i had Rex, were correct. I'm not entirely sure what it is that takes place when a person brings a beardie into their home, but it seems a special love develops. Almost effortlessly and unexpectedly. RJ is almost 8 months now, and as far as I can tell, very healthy in all regards. Currently we are camping. Last night, after snuggling with him for a while, we laid him down in our bed in the camper. Typically when we do this at home, we transfer him to his enclosure approximately an hour later. However, knowing that he had perfect "night time temps and humidity" right where he was, time sort of got away from my wife and I as we sat outside the camper enjoying the night. It was almost a whopping 4 hours later that I went back inside the camper to transfer him to his enclosure. As I picked him up to put him in his bed, something occurred to me. Given the way that these creatures hold onto the behaviors engrained in them as naturally wild animals, how is it that when I pick him up in the middle of the night, when he's dead sleep, he doesn't budge an inch? He doesn't peek an eye open? In the wild are they not instantly alert if something were to sneak up on them at night? How could he possibly know I'm not a threat? Without looking, moving, or hearing my voice? Just as all these thoughts are going through my mind, I set his bed into his enclosure, with him in it, and... he wiggles his but, stuffs his head closer to his blanket, and in that moment I know. No facts, no opinions, no scientifical research, nothing could tell me otherwise. RJ knew daddy was putting him to bed! RJ knows who his mommy and daddy are, he loves them and trusts them completely! In addition, I know Rex, in her final days, knew i did everything i could for her. I know she sensed my pain as I looked at her for what seemed like forever before she went to sleep. Rex, RJ, the name of the beardie who belongs to the person reading this. We bring these precious creatures into our homes, and they leave an unforgettable imprint on our lives.