A note from Alex: Jasper, one of the more well known beardies of one of the more long-standing members of the site, Sandi, has recently passed away. The moderators and I agreed that a special memorial was a good idea.
Sometime in the beginning of 2005, a bearded dragon was brought into a veterinarians office with some severe problems, he was about one year old and had lived his life up until that time without UVB and survived on a diet that consisted of dog food. By the time his owners had taken him to the vet, this little beardie had a bad case of MBD. Being that these people felt that the money they would have to shell out was too much they decided to just leave this guy with the vet. The vet was very caring and decided to do what he could for him, he ended up having to amputate all of his tail and most of his left rear foot. Enter Sandi. She must have fallen in love with the strength and will to live this little guy had because he wiggled his way into her heart and he found his permanent, forever home. This sweet beardie became Jasper.
Sandi quickly learned what a character her little boy was when he fell asleep one night on her shoulder just to have him start head-bobbing at something that only he could see as he was still fast asleep. It must have been a bad dream from the past because what Jasper found with Sandi was bliss. She had quickly spoiled this amazing boy by hand feeding him, although his heart was in the right place as a hunter he had decided that this was the only way he was going to eat. Jasper became slave master to Sandi, but I don't think she was complaining.
Instead of seeing Jasper as a beardie without a tail, Sandi humorously saw his stump as a built-in stool in which he always had at his disposal...in fact, whenever Jasper sat this way on his "stool" Sandi felt like wiping down his log with a bar towel and offering him a tiny rye and coke!!!!!!
Not all was smiles and giggles with Jasper, he had problems with his tail that had been amputated, problems with parasites, and recovery was just a long road, but they did it. Jasper soon became comfortable and curious enough to want to trek out on his own to explore his new surroundings. He must have learned that his tail and foot was not a hindrance to him as he would take off on his own to find mischief wherever he could. One of his favorite pastimes was to run through the salad that Sandi would leave for him before going to work, only to return home and find salad strewn from one end of his home to the other, and even find a food encrusted Jasper sitting there looking at her as if to say "This is my playground, I'll roll in those raspberries and silkworms whenever I want to, Woman!"
Jasper was the type of beardie that loved to help out around the house, whenever Sandi would fold laundry it wasn't too surprising to find Jasper in the pile of warm clothes helping with this chore the best he knew how - snuggling.
Jasper had other talents as well, many people didn't know that Jasper was a Barry White fan and would croon to the cuties songs in his deep Barry White-like voice songs such as "Hey beautiful ladies. Who's the smoothest, sexiest, most flexible dragon on the forum? Let me bend your body and blow your mind! I love the beautiful beardie babes." That was Jasper alright. But there was another side to Jasper, he could be a grump - yes, I said it, Grump with a capital G! He could shoot a black beard at you like no other beardie but Sandi knew that this was all a bluff, Jasper really was a softie.
He was also a prankster, imagine Sandi's horror when she looked up to find that her beardie had just disappeared into thin air!!!
Jasper became a champion to many. The story of the beginning of his life helped to raise awareness of the damage that poor husbandry could do while inspiring others struggling to help their beardies overcome similar illnesses. His painful beginning was not in vain as his story saved so many other beardies from facing the same fate. He filled our hearts with awe and inspiration. Jasper was a true bearded hero and just as the story of his first year brought tears to our eyes they were soon filled with joy and laughter as his "grumpy" ways inspired many a story or photo that could lighten the spirit of even the darkest soul. His passing does not mark the end of Jasper as his story will continue to inspire others to strive to give their beardies the best possible care and Jasper will no doubt save even more lives. Jasper, you are a hero and you will live in our hearts forever.
