LG ~ The Handi-Capable Bearded Dragon

[diamc]

Jason, it was good to hear from you. Remember, we are always here for you. I'm sure none of us would think that you are whining at all. If you can't share your true feelings with your friends, who can you share them with? We have all been thinking about you and LG. Hopefully you'll be feeling more like yourself in no time.

I also agree that LG is picking up on your feelings, they are VERY smart and know when things just aren't right. I'll bet if you do share more cuddles with her, it will help both of you tremendously. You need each other...........

Thanks for posting the video and the pictures. In the video, you only had to actually force feed one cricket, she actually took the others by herself and believe me, if she hadn't wanted them, she wouldn't have taken them so that's a great sign. Her eyes were nice & bright when she was chomping those crickets down too. All your TLC that you've given her all this time is really showing, she loves you very deeply and it is really helping her.

Take care of yourself and please pop in once in a while if only for a quick sentence to fill us in. :wink:

 

[Goonie]

Glad to see you back, Jason, even if it was a quick visit.

I'm terribly sorry that you're having such a difficult time. If there is anything that I or anyone else can do, please don't hesitate to ask, whether it's an ear to listen or a cyber shoulder to cry on.

LG may very well be picking up on your emotional lows and reacting to them. Pookie had done that a couple of times in the past, but a few words of reassurance and loving snuggles fixed both of us.
She may also be a tad wiped out from laying those surprise eggs, especially since both of you weren't prepared for their arrival. Try giving her some Critical Care (if you haven't already); alot of people here swear by it.

Super hugs from me, Pookie, Digi, Buddy, and Zim.

 

[jscott]

LG during today's feeding; Half a dozen large crickets with calcium powder and a good drink of water... All she would take:

 

[lizardgrrl]

Hi Jason,

Thank you for the new pics of LG. How are you both doing? I worry when you are not posting as often, and hope you are getting things worked out. I know it's been a very rough year for you, but one thing I've learned, when things are down, they have to get better. Everything balances out, so keep watching for the good things. :laughing6: It like the story of the two little boys being tested by researcher psychologists. One was given a room with beautiful toys and the other given a room filled with manure. The first boy was bored after a few hours, but the second boys was tunneling like crazy, excited and happy! When the researchers asked the second boy why he was so happy, he answered, "will all this poop in here, there's gotta be a pony somewhere!"

:love5: :love5: :love5: :love5: :love5:

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Glad to see you around hope everything is better and going well for you.

 

[Ashekeilla]

hi Jason, i've been VERY inspired by LG's story. i see that you're in southern CA; well i'm in northern CA, so if you need help with LG, please just ask!

i have 2 adult beardies, 1 sub-adult beardie, 1 saharan uromastyx, & 2 white eye conures. i've rescued a few lizards in the past, as well as some birds, so i know how it can be. rushing around to find what you need to help the ones you've saved! i always check on the lizards & birds in every pet shop i go into, thankfully i haven't seen any problems or minor issues in a long time. but when i next do, unfortunately i know it will happen at some point, i'll be taking them home with me! i'll rehome if i can't keep, but i will try to help. i just wish more people, like you, would think the same!

 

[jscott]

Well I went to the pet store and got LG some more crickets...

I still have to force her to eat, but it seems like she wants them; She just doesn't know what's happening.

That leads me to believe she suffered some kind of stroke or somewhat perminant brain injury. That night she went through that ordeal and I thought she was going to die? That's the exact moment her personality went away.

I know alot of people are saying shes just sad because I've been sad lately but I think it's more serious than that. Besides what I've already said(no energy, wont eat, tilts head when drinking, red eyes...), there is nothing else to add to the diagnosis...

 

[puppytoes72]

Maybe she is just still trying to recuperate from the egg laying?
I really don't know what else to say except she loves you and you love her,just be there for her (((hugs)))

Michele

 

[beardie osk]

Aw, I'm sorry Jason, that LG is not herself, but I agree with Michele, just love her and be there for her, like you have been, you've both been a comfort to each other, and through alot together. (((((((HUGS)))))))

 

[Goonie]

Hi Jason. Glad to have you back.

So LG's still accepting food? That's a good sign. As long as she's still eating and pooping, guess we really can't ask for too much more, for now.
Does she recognize you or remotely respond to your voice? Other than the distant stares, how is she doing? More importantly, how are YOU doing? (I miss seeing your wonderful nature pics and your excitement behind the captions/descriptions )

 

[boxerLvr]

Jason,
Although I am new to this site, I read through this entire thread.. couple things came to mind. You are such a great person for giving your little girl a chance in life. Second, I am so sorry about your dad. Please don't remember the way he died, or the events the stepmother put you through.. please remember the dash that he lived his life by. I don't know if this will provide you comfort, but it did to me when my fiancee who was a police officer was killed trying to stop a robbery. Live your life with the wonderful memories you have with your father and time will come when you can do that with more smiles then tears. The best way to honor him is to live your life with the greatest love your heart can hold. Hugs to you.


I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the “dash” between those years. (1934 -1998)

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars...the house...the cash,
what matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our “dash”.

So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special “dash”
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your “dash”?

 

[sweetiepie9]

Hi Jason, I hope you and LG are feeling a bit better. I'm glad you're still able to get her to eat, that's important and a good indication of her overall health. You know LG best, just loving her will give her such reassurance.

BoxerLvr, I just wanted to say that was a lovely poem. I'm sorry about your husband, I admire what you wrote.

Jason, take heart, we all have ups and downs and so do dragons. I'm praying that you'll feel better soon.

Deb

 

[MissT]

Jason, as Michelle said, all you can do is love her.

Phoebe really changed after she laid her eggs (he last clutch were in January). It was almost as if she grew up. Some days I see the old Phoebe but most days, her eyes just scream 'I cant be bothered with you'. The only thing that ever seems to perk her up is when she sees another beardie or sees something she hasnt seen before... I had to house her at the pet shop with 2 other females a few months ago (it was an emergency) and when I went to pick her up a few hours later, she was like a different beardie - all her colours and even her whole mood was a lot better! I try to get her out as much as possible now and let her 'explore' different places around the house. Even the new rug in the living room seemed to cheer her up when we got it! It seems to help, at least for a little while! I honestly think that when she 'grew up' she got bored with EVERYTHING!!

 

[Ashekeilla]

Jason,

just wanted to drop by & let you know that both you & LG are in my prayers. it is really good to hear that she's eating, that makes a big difference to their recovery, when you don't have to completely force-feed them which causes stress.

we have a leopard gecko right now that won't eat. Tessa is only about 5.5 months old & about 5-6 oz; even the vet doesn't know what might be wrong. she's so small that they can't even do a blood test, as getting enough blood for the test would kill her due to blood loss. we've been force-feeding her ReptiCure (i've had EXCELLENT results with it before!) & two times now we've gotten her to eat one small waxworm, but i don't know if she'll make it. since she's mostly on a liquid diet, there really isn't much in the way of poop to test either. she gets soaking several times a day to avoid dehydration (the vet liked that), but she's shed twice now in the last month, & i know it's so tough on her little body! it was nice that the vet told us that we are doing everything already that she'd recommend, & that she wished more people with reptiles did as much research & put in as much work as we did. but we'll keep trying & hoping for Tessa to pull through...

i've been going back through this thread, & marvelling all over again what LG went through, & how well she recovered. what a trooper! i also marvel over what you did for her, you're an inspiration to me & all the others that are here! maybe LG would like some other kind of yummy food? dragonfly larva are difficult to find (think i had found some from Herpsupplies.com) but are considered a "treat" for beardies. our kids loved them, but they were pretty big & so nasty looking! :shock: they were the canned kind so they lasted well in the fridge. then of course there are those Phoenix worms (i get mine from Phoenixworm.com) & i've always gotten great quality & prices. plus many sizes, were i to need really little ones, like for hatchlings.

well guess i've rambled on long enough now... just please keep your chin & your hopes up, LG is a tough girl! she had to be to make it sooo far, & then she had you! :mrgreen: please keep us updated, & if you ever need anything, you have only to ask & i'll come through for you both.

Ashekeilla

 

[AngelicCacophony]

Jason, let me first say you and LG are an inspiration to me. Your story is so beautiful. I know if LG could talk, she'd thank you and tell you she loves you.
Second, she may just still be wiped out from laying her eggs, and could be depressed because of it. I don't care what some say, these little ones do have feelings. And they know when you're hurting.
About a week ago, I was on the verge of attempting suicide. My beardie crawled up on me and nuzzled in. I let her there for a while, as a way of saying goodbye. When I tried to get her off of me to "do the deed" to myself, she wouldn't let go. She knew what I was feeling and wanted to tell me she loved me.
It could be that with everything that's gone on, she's just not herself because of it. The best thing you can do is try and get her to a vet and see if there's anything they can detect. She may have caught a parasite or infection of some type from the crickets or other foods. You never know about these things. I'm saying a prayer for you and LG, that you get it all straightened out and everything turns out fine for you. :love5: :love5: :love5: