Ruben Miso & Billy! RIP Ruben

[Ethelia]

As some of you may know I recently lost my little girl whom Id rescued and was devastated.
I didnt think I could face rescuing another little one only to have her pass away again, so my boyfriend convinced me that after christmas getting a baby beardie might be a better step for me to take.

Life doesnt really seem complete without having a beardie master. Even a week after Dex being put to sleep I woke up at 9am on a saturday on auto-pilot and stumbled into her room to turn the lights on in her viv, and ended up sobbing when I realised she wasnt there.

Anyway as I dont really trust any of the local stores (one has its lizards on calci-sand and one on tiny woodchippings) Ive been browsing the local adverts for breeders. To my joy Ive found a couple who have clutches of 3 and 5 month old babies, so Ive emailed both to inquire.
Then to my horror I found an advert selling an adult beardie for £90.
I clicked on it because the little tagline said "beloved pet having to be sold due to moving cities"
The picture however was not what I wanted to see.
The little guy was rake thin, covered in aggressive looking stressmarks and appeared to be in a very dimmly lit viv.

(nb. this is not the guy i ended up rescuing)

Before I could help myself Id emailed the seller inquiring about his husbandry, explaining the issues I saw, and asking him if he couldnt sell her to someone with previous experience with beardies that I would take her for free.
Now logic has kicked in Im terrified. Terrified if I get him and cant save him and end in more heartache, and terrified if i dont get him and he continues to suffer and I will be consumed with guilt.

Am I jumping in too soon after Dex?
Does anyone know of anything else I could do for this little dragon?

Holly

 

[zebedeepink]

Although you will never replace Dex or indeed forget her, I think having a new beardie will help you. Whether or not you get the poor thing in the picture, I don't know. He looks in pretty bad condition and will need major TLC which he will get with you. His current owner is obviously clueless and isn't keeping him in the right conditions. What does he say about his husbandry? If it is just a lack of proper nutrition, that is something which you can resolve but if he has other issues due to lack of vitamins and calcium, you could end up with major problems. It's a tough decision to make and I wish you luck with it

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Holly,

By no means is it too soon after Dex to get another beardie. A new beardie will help you get over the loss of Dex much easier. If you feel like you need to rescue that beardie in the ad, I say go for it. Maybe that is your purpose in life.

Don't feel guilty about getting a new one so soon either. We all know there will always be that special place in your heart for Dexter that no other beardie will ever fill.

I believe there is a beardie out there somewhere that needs you...

Best Wishes,

Dawn

 

[lovemybeardies]

That beardie needs you. Nurturing another beardie in need will be a tribute to your lost beardie. I'm sure your other beardie would be pleased.

 

[Lsorrent]

I think you need to go for it. You're obviously a wonderful beardie slave, we all know it. And this time, you'll have your little angel, Dex, looking after you and the new guy. I think Dex would be flattered to know that she's given you the knowledge and confidence to rescue another of her brothers/sisters. If anything, I think Dex brought this little one to you, because she knew you'd be the right fit for him, and even more so, because she knew YOU needed a beardie in your world.

Go for it, we're all here to help if needed, and Dex will always be looking over with her little beardie eyes.

~Laura~

 

[protiemama]

Holly-
We all know what Dex meant to you. Maybe she helped guide you to this poor little guy. He obviously needs your kind of love and care. Yes- he may be too far gone to save, but really, how would you feel if you passed up the chance to help him? I have followed your posts and know you would spend almost as much time worring about him if you did not get him. (i'm the same way) Dex would be proud of you, you know she would.
He really is asking a lot for such a sick dragon. Try to talk him down if you can. Explain that you will have to spend a bit on vets, and really don't need the tank only the dragon. Good luck-you are in our prayers.

Sandy H

 

[sunkist]

In my opinion it's better to show a hurt animal love even for a short period of time. If he's not meant to last in this world at least he would go out with love from you. I say go for it.

I know when I lost my first beardie baby, I didn't make it a week before I bought another one. I'd only had the first baby 3 weeks and my heart broke when he died. I actually sobbed which I never do. Lindy is now 4 months old and just as sassy as can be.

 

[lizardgrrl]

When it's right, it will happen. The tug on your heart says that even though Dexter is gone, there is room in your heart for another beardie. You will always carry Dexter in your heart, she is there now and is saying there is plenty of room here for another beardie. Sandi, Jasper's Mom, lost her dear friend a short while ago, and I am certain that Jasper guided her to Campbell Jane, a delightful little dragon who desparately needed the tender care of someone just like Sandi. And you know you have support here, whatever you do or need. Whether it works out with this little dragon or a different one, you're ready! :love5:

MaryAnn

 

[Jasper's Mom]

I didn't feel at all "ready" to take another dragon when Campbell Jane turned up. But I couldn't leave her to suffer. I am still grieving for Jasper but I know he would have wanted me to help. I think Dex would have wanted you to help as well. You did such a great job with her. The heartache is horrible, and nothing will make it go away - but if you feel that you can help this poor little dragon then I would say go for it. I would have regretted it every day if I hadn't taken Campbell.

 

[Ethelia]

UPDATE:

Well the chap in question was not happy that I suggested he wasnt taking care of him. He also refused to believe he is too thin.
He said if I really want him I can pay the £90.
Unfortunatly this close to christmas I dont have that kind of money spare, I tried to talk him down but he was having non of it.
So I had to leave it by emailing him my number and the reptile rescue address along with numerous care sheets.
I even offered if he cant sell him and I cant take him that I will drive and collect him and take him to the rescue myself.
Surely he cant say no?
He responded fairly bluntly and unfortunatly I know Im not getting anywhere with him so Ive had to leave it.

Then fate played its roll.

Earlier in the day Id called the rescue to make sure they had room for another dragon. I told the girl working there this story and I left her my details.
Three hours later I called again to speak to the manager there to tell him not to expect the dragon.
I told him Dexters story and he said he was desperate to rehome some of his juvie rescues that had been given the all clear but no one was showing any interest, and would I like to adopt one?
>_<
I erm'd and arrrr'd for a about 2 seconds.....
He then offered to wave the rehoming fee because they new me then I crumbled.
Im going to go and view them tomorrow. Im taking my boyfriend with me so that I dont end up bringing the lot home.
Perhaps this is where Dex was leading me?

So thank you for all your encoragement. Im terrified and thrilled at the same time, but you've made me feel like i can do this.

Thank you all.
Holly


PS. Apparently the juvies are around 10-14inches long. I have a huge 120gall tank which I think might scare a new juvie. How much do you think I should block off? A third?

 

[Lsorrent]

You see, Dexter is making sure that you get another beardie, no matter what.

As for the tank, I'd block off half to a third. It depends on how you're going to feed the beardie. In the tank? In a separate feeding tub? Usually the bigger tanks are a concern when feeding the beardies in it because they can't find their food.

 

[Ethelia]

I was thinking of feeding him/her outside the viv as aparently they are on crickets at the moment.
Crickets are new to me as Dex would never entertain them!
So Im going to attempt the three 10minute feeding sessions a day in a seperate location -either in the bath or I might use the non lived-in area of the viv.

Holly

 

[CoopersGrandma]

so sorry to hear that you had such a rotten time of it with the first one that you were pulled to help , but your wonderful beardie angel i feel said to you see you are ready to help some one else like you did me . you were dexter's beardie mommy and she has led you to be a good beardie mommy for some one else in need , going to be a tough choice for you i'm sure with them having a few to choose from but dex will help you make this choice. good luck and please keep us posted .

 

[msmaui]

Holly,

I followed the entire thread on Dex and it broke my heart. I lost Cinnamon on 11/15 and was totally devastated. I thought I would never get another dragon. After crying for 2 weeks I just suddenly decided to drive to the reptile store and buy a new baby. He wasn't even as big as my little finger and I was terrified. He has helped me so much. I know you'll love your new little one and I wish you the best.

Nancy

 

[Ethelia]

I did it!

Im now the proud momma of a juvie.
I went in and saw a few rescues. Then I saw one little monster watching me intently.
It felt like he was deciding if he wanted to pick me.
He was the one for me, all i have to do is convince him now!

He is missing an arm and a leg on one side but is pretty mobile despite being lopsided.
He also has a large tail nip, but that was amputated by a vet so its healing nicely.
He's very alert peering at everything and exploring already. We have a licker on our hands.
As ive typed this he's been attempting to bite a suspicious looking basking rock. Just to make sure of course!

He's in full shed at the moment but even still close up he is showing some incredible oranges and reds.
The man at the rescue told me he is a pure red phase so Im very excited to see whats underneath those scales!

He is not nearly as plump as I want him to be, and only 10 inches long, but Im going to do some serious feeding.
He seems so tiny in comparison to Dex.

Poor little tyke is in need of a bath (seems he smeres poop on himself when he goes to the bathroom) so thats the plan for later.
He's currently staring

Ive blocked off a section of my 120gallon so he's not overwhelmed and he's watching me intently.
I think he's trying to suss me out.
When he's in the bath I will have to do some remodelling because the rocks are all a bit too high for him at the moment.
I have some reptile hammock netting handy at the moment so I think I'll make him a grippy ramp to get to his basking spot on.

I havent decided on a name yet, I like Twitch because all he is doing is moving his head around and giving me all kinds of beady eyes!
My other half is hellbent on calling him Ruben though so we'll have to see who wins.

Im absolutely terrified and absolutely thrilled and Im babbling now.

Wish us luck!

Holly









Oh of corse Im not going to leave you without any pictures.
Unfortunatly they have been taken with my dreadful phone, so they just dont do him justice, but I know you beardie fiends wouldnt let me rest until I showed you something!!!!

OH MY GOODNESS HE LOVES SALAD!

Does he look like a Ruben or a Twitch?