I am a fool. I am so sorry little Dukey.

[firedragon28]

I just killed my baby beardie and it is totally my fault.
I loved him so much.
He was six months old. He only got to eat one roach before he died.


I have three beardies, two babies, male/female, and an adult male.
I was so stupid, and I will never be able to forgive myself.

I wanted to see if the baby and the adult would recognize each other as other dragons. They can see each other every day from their tanks. I almost cant get through telling this story again.

I had my whole hand wrapped all the way around the adults body and had him rested on the couch. I was making sure he coulnt move at all. They were about 8 inches apart or more.
No recognition. They acted as if each other wasnt there. I was staring at them for about a minute, never taking my eyes off them.
All the sudden, the adults tongue came out and he lurched at Dukie and somehow got him.
It happened in litterally a second in time and I couldnt even pull him away fast enough. He bit his whole head hard and I saw the whole thing. I was trying to get him to let go and it only lasted for a second or more but it was too late.
He died in my hand.
I was screaming and crying and telling him I was so sorry and how could this be happening.

I can't beleive I did this.
Please don't judge me. I thought I could prevent anything from occuring but nature is so powerful. He just thought he was food.
I hate myself.
If I could only change that minute in time he would still be alive.

I couldnt sleep. I spent all night in shock and wanting to just die.


Im so sorry Dukey. Please forgive me.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hi Kevin... I don't know if you remember me, but I was the one who replied to your post months ago about your beardies acting strange on your porch.
Anyway... I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that you lost Dukey. Please don't be so hard on yourself. Nobody is going to judge you... it was an accident. You never intended for Dukey to get hurt.
An animals natural instinct can be very strong, no matter how domesticated we want or think them to be. It is very sad and unfortunate that this has happened... again I am truly sorry for your loss.
Even though Dukey's life ended tragically, some good could come out of this situation. If only one person who reads your story realizes how unsafe it can be to put two bearded dragons together... then you may have saved a beardies life.
I'm sure Dukey knew how much you loved him and all will be forgiven.
R.I.P. Dukey

 

[carmdac]

You know Kevin, as Dawn I don't think people would judge an honest mistake. It also would take balls to have done that on purpose and try to get a rise out of all these beardie lovers, as I don't believe you would do. However, the reason i am posting this is, about 2 or 3 months ago we were looking up beardies eating on you tube only to find people doing that almost as a sport. They almost seemed to me as if they were not in the US, but i would love to find out how to put a stop to that even if they are out of the US. It is w/ out a doubt animal cruelty. I am very sorry for you loss and also agree w/ Dawn once again in saying don't be so hard on your self.

 

[carmdac]

sorry for the double post, pc internet connect problem here

 

[Twobeardieguy]

WOW, so sorry to hear about your loss!

 

[dolcedragon]

Don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes, though quite unfairly, these things happen. I'm sure you gave Dukey a happy life though sadly short. Some people put their dragons together and they get along fine- how could you have known this would happen? Like someone said, your story could teach someone else to be more careful. I know what it's like to have a beardie die in your hands. I rescued one with MBD but it was too late and I will never forget that feeling of watching something I love so much die. Very sorry for your loss.

 

[Vakon]

Oh my goodness, that is tragic I'm so sorry for your loss.
Don't blame yourself, these things are unpredictable sometimes.
It was very brave of you to tell that story to everybody. I respect that.

 

[KittyinColorado]

Wow, sorry to hear that. At least the little guy had a good life with you before this terrible accident. I know you feel really bad about it, though. I hope you can find a bit of comfort in your other little friends. They still need you to care for them.

 

[mom2twinsplus2]

Oh no, I am so sorry for your loss. We had a horrible scare a while back when my beardie fell down the stairs that was all my fault...she turns out to be OK so I was spared the worst of the horrid guilt but I totally felt like you are now for days when I didn't expect the very fortunate outcome that we got. People here were so nice to me when I posted but gosh, I can only imagine how awful you feel. I really do appreciate your taking the time to post...we have a new baby beardie (2 months old) and a sub-adult or young adult or something beardie now....we have not introduced them to eachother but my kids have talked about it trying it under controlled circumstances but after reading your note, we will not be introducing them ever till they are both quite solidly adult sized (if even then...they are both females so there is really no "need" for them to ever meet). I am so sorry that you had to pay such a horrible price to be able to share this knowledge but I appreciate that you shared.

RIP Dukey and go as easy on yourself as you can. We all make mistakes even when we have nothing but the best intentions.

Alison

 

[Phoenix17June2009]

I'm so sorry this happened to you!! I cant even begin to imagine how you feel but please know that no one here is going to judge you for what happened.... you COULDN'T of know that was going to happen. like others have said.... some beardies do fine with others and some just dont. we cant all get along with everyone, i assume its the same with them. I'm truly from the depts of my heart sorry, i havent had a beardie die on me but i have had others and i know that its just a horrible feeling .... try to not be so hard on yourself!
*huggs*

 

[lesleyg1989]

Oh my that is so horrible and obviously you didn't mean it and I realise you matter how much we say don't blame yourself you will but just try and forget about it.

 

[MeganAlyse]

I'm so so sorry for your loss. I literally cried while reading your post... don't blame yourself, you don't deserve it, and I'm sure Dukey wouldn't want you to. It was an accident, a horrible, terrible accident. The way time works is very curious... it takes millenia for the earth to change, even to create the smallest change in fault lines; but it takes only a moment to crush human hearts, and lives.
What's important is that people can learn from your mistake. If one bearded dragon lives because of Dukey's sacrifice, it'll be worth it.
Don't blame yourself. It was an accident.

 

[QuincysBoo]

AWWWWWWW that is sad.. I'm sorry for your loss, sometimes when we think the impossible won't happen it does.. And it is just a freak accident.. And you bang your head thinking of ways to have prevented it knowing you can never take it back.. Your not the only one to have had a freak accident so don't beat yourself up just learn from the experience.. It happens to everybody... Again sorry for your loss, I would have lost it also... :|

Tracey

 

[Livey]

;( this made me cry when i read it,
i get so protective over my little one..he never leaves my sight.
I feel for you massivly.
Its a Unthinkable mistake..
I NEARLY had the same issue when Nu was out and my partner had the leopard gecko out and Nu ran for it trying to eat it!
I now no not to do that again
RIP DUKEY
<3