Should I Get Another Beardie?

[Sardonyx]

Ugh.

As some of you guys know, I lost my girl (Flynn) last Thursday (1st July). I miss her so much, and yesterday I had to carry out the dreaded task of cleaning her viv out for the last time.

Then I had to do the next job, which I was dreading: I needed to go to the pet shop I bought her from, to get some more mice for my Royal Python, Lola. I've been putting it off since Flynn died, as they always have beardies in (TYPICALLY the freezer is right next to the baby beardie viv...), and I just knew I'd get upset to see them all, knowing I'd be going back home to Flynn's empty tank.

So I shot into the pet shop, bag in hand for Lola's mice, and pretty much shoved my head into the freezer so I didn't have to see the beardies... Sounds stupid - I know, but I didn't want to be stood in the middle of the shop bawling my eyes out!

Anyway, to cut a pretty long and boring story short, I closed the freezer door and turned to head back to the counter, when the pet shop owner called me over to have a chat with me about a poorly beardie they have. AAARGGHHHH!!!! How could I resist????? Anyway, I went over and told him about Flynn, and we discussed their poorly one.

I got a bit tearful, and said I needed to be off, and just as I turned to walk away, another of the beardies they have started scrabbling like crazy at the glass in front of me. I stopped and looked at him, and he waved at me. Goddamn it! Why do they know EXACTLY how to melt your heart?!!??!?

Thing is, I'm thinking about adopting him. He was the runt of the previous hatchlings they had. He's 7 months old (approx.), and is very small for his age. He's also very skinny, as he has only just got an apetite - he was bullied by his brothers and sisters and has only just started to blossom since they have all been sold.

What do you guys think? I miss Flynn so very much, and I'm in no way trying to replace her, but because it's so soon after she died, I feel so guilty about possibly getting another.

Confused and emotional!!!!

 

[Jasper's Mom]

I've been through the exact same thing. When my angel Campbell Jane passed away, I wasn't looking to get a new beardie. Then I saw a Craigslist ad for 3 beardies who were in rough shape. I couldn't leave them, so I went and got them even though my heart had not yet begun to heal from the loss of Campbell Jane. I felt some guilt for getting another beardie (OK, 3 beardies!) so quickly after she passed, but they needed me and they couldn't wait for me to feel better. I'm very glad that I adopted them and I know that Campbell Jane approves. You wouldn't be replacing Flynn, but you would be giving another beardie a chance. That being said, only you know if you're ready for another.

 

[sweetiepie9]

I hope you do take on that poor beardie. He needs love and fattening up But it's your choice as to what you can handle right now, no-one can decide for you. I wish you luck in your decision and I'll be waiting to hear what happened.

I'm sorry to hear that Flynn died. We lost 2 beardies this past spring, so I understand how you feel. We had 4 other beardies so were kept busy during our grief over Angel and Issy, and even though my heart still aches for both of them, keeping our 4 other beardies in good health has helped greatly in accepting what happened.

Good luck,
Deb

 

[Sardonyx]

Thanks for your thoughts guys!!

To be honest, I probably will take him in anyway. I think he's going to be a big personality, even from our brief meeting.
I have been back to the shop again today, and they let me go backstage and take him out to say hi properly. He seems so sweet!

I was wondering a couple of things though - near his hind legs, on his sides, there seems to be something potruding. I'm wondering if it's his lower ribs sticking out, because he's so skinny. Any thoughts? Apart from that he seems very healthy and lively!

I'll pop a photo I took of him on my phone so you guys can see

 

[Sardonyx]

Oh!

Also, is there much difference in the 'general' temperaments of male and femal beardies? Obviously I'm only used to female, but I wondered if there were any basic differences.

Thanks!! :mrgreen:

 

[ziggy23]

I don't see getting a new one as replacing the old. It's taking the love you had for your departed and using it to give a good life to another animal that might not know it otherwise. It's a tribute to their memory.

And I have found that having another to care for helps a lot with the grief. It's hard to be sad when you got a cute little guy tilting it's head at you and giving you the "i can haz criketz" look.

 

[Jasper's Mom]

It's probably his ribs. A little love and food will make them magically vanish!

In terms of temperament, it's hard to say. Males tend to be more nutty during the springtime, but overall I don't think there's any hard and fast rule. My first male was very placid, my first female was very placid, and now I have one cuddly male, one aggressive male, and one mentally disturbed female. I love them all!

 

[Freeie]

Im in the same boat as Jaspers mom i have 5 ..2 males and 3 females. Males tend to be more hormonal. 1 is a sweetie and 1 is very agressive. My females well we have one tho is like a lap dog. One who seems to be pmsing 90% of the time and one tho thinks shes a prinsess. They are all so different. I love em all. Only downfall to females is the egg laying even without being bread.

 

[Sardonyx]

Thanks for your thoughts and comments guys! I picked him up today

The pet shop let me take him early, as I was whining he looked hungry and I wanted to feed him :lol: They know me though, so I can just go in on Thursday and pay for him

 

[aocain]

I'm so happy the little guy got a good home!
I understand about losing a beardie - I lost my girl last year after having her about 7 years- she was about a year when I got her. She had a missing hand - but she was SO sweet. I really miss her, even my cats miss her. They used to sleep on me on the couch along with her high on my chest...it took me a week to clean out her cage. The cats kept laying around it and on top of the screen..it was upsetting to everyone apperently. But about 2 weeks after she passed- a girl at my work said she had a friend that was moving to China and she had to leave her beardie behind..so ready or not I had a new girl in my life. I am grateful I had Hanna as long as I did..and grateful Pebbles came along afterwards.
I hope the new baby in your life helps you heal some...