New Beardie Mom

[lexus465]

Hello everyone! Here's my story on how I found my new little buddy Toa.

So on a quick trip to my local Petco for some cat food I came across this gorgeous 6 yr old beardie that had been basically neglected for four years by his previous owner. The animal lover in me flipped and I wanted to take him home right then and there, but seeing as I had nothing to take him home to, I decided to talk to my husband more and my mom (who lives with us) and get everything ready before picking him up. Both my husband and I started researching like crazy :study: , which is how I found you guys. This site has been instrumental in helping us get informed. Well, this was Sunday evening and by Tuesday evening he was gone! We had already bought (almost) everything we would need for him (yay for the $1/ gallon sale). Needless to say we were heartbroken. A few days later we stopped by another Petco and of course stopped by to check out their dragons. There was one guy who stood out to us, he was the biggest in there and was really alert, came up to the glass, and was watching us. I asked to hold him and he just hung out on my shoulder. We were hooked, there was no way I was putting him back at that point.

He settled in nicely, there didn't seem to be too much relocation stress and he has been eating and pooping like a champ. lol. I've been trying to hold him a little longer each day and he seems to enjoy it, he even got his first bath the other day and seemed to like it.

He (I'm pretty sure) measured in at 12" a few days ago and is around 4 months old. After much debate and joking around we decided to name him Toa which means warrior in Samoan.

So without further adieu, I introduce Toa: (I couldn't figure out how to embed the images, the tutorial said to click the IMG code, but it wasn't listed on my photobucket page)
http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/lexus465/slideshow/Toas%20new%20home

Any advice is more than welcome and thanks again for all the help this site provided!

 

[lexus465]

Oops! Almost forgot I wanted to ask a question! I just ordered some Phoenix Worms and was wondering about how fast you guys go through yours? (Toa's stats are above)

 

[XiDiS]

My beardie went through 300 worms (medium ones) in just under two weeks. They dont last long.

 

[lexus465]

Oh wow, that is quick! I'll have to keep that in mind! Thanks!

 

[lillylizard]

I understand the not being ready thing. When i called the old owners about the dragon they were selling i had nothing ready. But when i saw her pick i shaw so many things wrong. Even if it wasn't as bad as i thought it was i needed her to make sure and i was scared if it was bad she would end up dead in someone elses hands. So even though i had nothing for her or anything i called and my bf picked her up for me that friday. And i was correct about her state.

Now about the food my boy at 4-5 months was eating between 40-60 worms a day.
I hope you have a great time with your new little one!!!

 

[lexus465]

Yeah, I wished I had just taken him, but then I wouldn't have Toa. So I guess everything does happen for a reason!

 

[lillylizard]

Yep. Everything plays out for a reason. My mom was okay when i said there was another dragon coming into the house but my dad who hates my lizards yelled at me for hours so my mom and i had to tell him it was gonna be my moms even though it wasn't. My dad just doesn't understand

 

[lexus465]

I hear you on that. My mom just rolled her eyes when she saw Toa at first. Then she checked him out and was like, ok fine he's cute. But cringed a bit when I put him on her shoulder. Lol! She'll come around. I'm sure your dad will too. If I've learned anything it's that dads can only stay mad at their daughters for so long (in most cases)! I remember seeing your post and it seems like the rescue was worth it!

 

[lillylizard]

Lol i have owned reptiles since i was 11. The things he says about reptiles and about things to do with them makes me want to scream. He is crude and rude. He doesn't care whether they live or die and would probably laugh if a dog got a hold of one. My mom has owned reptiles and she loves mine. She even calls then her grand kids. Your mom will turn arpund and love them. She just has to open her mind.

 

[lexus465]

That's too bad about your dad. It's tough when you disagree so wholeheartedly with your parents about something.
My mom will come around, I think her main "issue" is that we now own 1 dog, 2 cats, an emerald swift (my husbands), 4 fire bellied newts, and now 1 dragon. I do love my animals ant there would be more if we weren't renting!

 

[lillylizard]

Its just my dad. I own two leo's and two dragons. And because i am moving to Winnipeg this summer for school/work i will be moving into an apartment but first into my aunts and uncles place. My bf will be staying here will mid-end fall so he will be taling care of my dragons till i can bring them down. Its gonna be hard without them. Not looking forward to it and its gonna be hard but i am glad he likes my dragons and is willing to do this for me.

 

[lexus465]

That sounds like a great adventure. I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. It's great that your boyfriend will take care of them!

 

[BlueMorpho]

Toa is so cute!! Welcome to the forums, too!
So true about people coming around, my mom calls them her "grandlizards", too, but refuses to hold them.
Can't wait to see more pics and hear about how Toa's adjusting to life in your family!

 

[lexus465]

Thanks! That is too cute! My mom has grandkitties! I put Toa on her shoulder, she kind of closed her eyes and then said ok that's enough. Lol.

Here he is enjoying his new hammock.

We're still trying to find a branch we like to add more stuff for him to climb around on.

 

[lexus465]

Hey, just wanted to post a little update on how Toa is adjusting to his new home.

We have had him for about two and a half weeks now and he seems to be adjusting to his new schedule. His lights come on at 7 and shortly after that I bring his breakfast of wax worms, squash, collard greens and dandelion greens. He is usually pretty feisty in the mornings and doesn't want you petting him... or even to come into his viv unless your dropping off breakfast, lol. But I get that, I can be cranky in the mornings too! He gets dinner around 5:30-6 after I get home. I usually take him out before dinner for a little bit and then again shortly before lights out at 8.

I had him out and sitting on a table and he crawled up onto my hand for the first time! I got a little more excited than I care to admit. It was the first time he crawled onto me.

This past weekend I decided to give him his bath outside since it was such a beautiful day. He has been outside a few times on my shoulder and he's been fine with it. He was a little skittish understandably. He kept looking up at the sky and watching various bugs fly by. At one point my dog decided to look in over the side, Toa did not like this! He puffed up and black bearded. It was pretty cute, the first time I have seen him do this. But I think he seemed to enjoy the experience over all.

Toa always seems to poop right next to his food bowl so I decided to put a paper towel in to make clean up easier. We usually always get plain white towels but the ones with designs were on sale. So I put the towel in and Toa come running over and tries to eat the designs! It was cute but I felt bad like I was teasing him! Oops. So I turned it over and all was well. Until a couple days later when he decided to switch poop spots, lol. Oh well.

Toa has been an awesome, if not expensive :roll: , addition to my family and I wouldn't have it any other way!