Help! Should I get another?

[sammmycakes]

So I'm in love with yet another bearded dragon. I call him Dennis the Menace after he bit the tail of a female beardie he was housed with. One of my good friends/coworkers bought the female and her name is Sophie. She is a happy healthy beardie..

Now I'm trying to make a list of pros and cons to help convince my mother that he NEEDS to come home with me. (I've signed numerous papers saying I was done bringing home reptiles) I'm going to post my list and maybe you guys can add to it to help us make the decision!


Pros:
- makes 10 reptiles in the house!
- a sweet baby beardie
- an extra mouth to eat the thousands of crickets we have
- eats the same veggies (as 2 other beardies and uromastyx)
- already have more than enough furniture and decorations for him
- wouldn't add more to the amount I spend on crickets (pixel stopped eating them and switched to worms)
- already tested negative for parasites
- NOT a rescue, the first reptile I picked out on my own.

Cons:
- makes 10 reptiles in the house
- costs money (tank and beardie)
- need to find space
- can't go on a vacation (we rarely go on vacation so this was more for humor)

 

[Taterbug]

My limit is set by vet bills. Our local specialist is ~$100 for a checkup and fecal. I don't want to go broke if I get sick animals or an outbreak of anything.

 

[melissaha]

Pros:
-10 is a good number to have. Same with 3 Beardies
-He is Dennis the Menace and super cute and you saved him
-You have extra crickets and furniture that need...homes?
-Hes cute.
-You have a lizard babysitter
-9 is a weird number
-You need to buy him so I can cuddle him LOL
oh and hes adorable.

There is no cons.

 

[Teage29]

You have to add you "saved" him. Stretch the truth a little. Say if you cant have him he will go to some shelter until he is adopted if he will be. Make stuff up, thats what I did! :lol:

 

[sammmycakes]

The vet bill is very true. I have always made sure to take all my babies to the vet and have their fecal tests done once a year.

Teage, I've done that before with other reptiles. "But mom it could go to a bad home and die!"

 

[Tonja]

here is a good one! Am I hoarding animals cause they are cute and cuddly or do I really have the funds to care for so many should something happen that they need extensive vet care <IE yellow fungus Heavens Forbid>. I am not saying you are hoarding them, but it is a question you should ask yourself. Do you really have the room for another tank and set up and you also have to realize lights must be changed <UVB> every 6 months to keep them healthy. 10 animals to me seems like a lot of work and hours put in to cleaning tanks, feeding, and allowing them time out of the tanks. Do you have homework and friends you want to see..will adding another make you resent it when you cant do what you want to do due to a sick animal, or having to clean tanks. There are a lot of things to consider. Just showing you the realistic side to your decision and of course it is totally up to you and your mom.

 

[sammmycakes]

Tonja thanks so much.

I do agree with everything you said. I do have the funds to support them, and I have a very supportive family as well. I spend my work days cleaning and caring for animals because that's what I love to do so coming home to care for my own is a wonderful feeling. Because of my job I also get discounts and deals on a lot of the things I need. I don't have friends LOL so that's not a big deal.


BUT. since today is my birthday and I'm 22 I'm no longer covered under my parents benefits I have to think about paying for my own medications if I end up getting sick. I'm a very clumsy person and am constantly visiting the hospital or doctors so I do cost a lot of money..


So much to think about..