Zak-n-Wheezie the 2-Headed Bearded Dragon(s) RIP APR 4/16

[Menolly07]

It's funny how the little differences for anybody we love become so part of them that we wouldn't change them for all the world save to bring them more comfort. My Odahviing got her little front left arm and hand crushed by a PetSmart reptile guy. He was cleaning, and she was tiny and darted under when he was putting back a piece of cage furniture. He tried to avoid her, lost his grip and dropped. Poor boy was in tears over it. An honest mistake, and she lost a toe and seemed to fracture the wrist. She runs and is comfortable and climbs JUST FINE!! I wouldn't trade anything. She is who she is, missing toe, strange scales, goofy wrist and all! We love them how they are! Why they are!

 

[sweetiepie9]

I agree, you do love them no matter what the challenges they face. It's amazing that Z&W are 5 years old now, but it's all because of Barbara's great care of them both. She knows them inside & out & that's how they've thrived so well.

 

[fresnowitte]

So true Mellony!
Aww...poor Odahviing I'm sure that was a bit traumatizing, but they are very persistent critters and can overcome many set backs.
Poor employee I bet that just broke his heart to be responsible for such an accident, but they do happen. Even as careful as I could be I don't know how many times I have almost smashed a baby with the water dish when replacing it after refilling.
Snuggles from us to your Odahviing. :love5:
Zak-n-Wheezie's message to the world is it's okay to be different.
My message to the world is miracles do happen especially to those that believe.
And a little love can conquer a lot.

Thank-you Deb, but had they not been so determined to live I don't think my part would have meant anything.
As interesting as they are it was a challenge to understand them, but I think I do know them better than any vet could.
It's very amazing that they are now 5 y/o....who would have ever thought. I know the first time I took them to the NARBC there were a lot of venders there that thought I was a senile old lady if I thought they'd live long...remember the first time I took them they were only 3 months old and looked like a pendant on my shirt. :lol: I think that's why I have to go back to the NARBC every year to remind them that miracles happen if you believe. :wink: And to thank Dr. Wentz for believing that they could live a normal life span like a normal beardie. I so appreciate all the hope and support he gives us/them. I have also noticed that since Z&W many 2 headed beardies have been given a chance instead of being put down right away. I mean I understand that not all of this type of oddity can survive because of the way they might be constructed and tied together, but I am so very glad that I gave them the chance. Funny I don't even see them as being different or odd anymore. They are as normal as normal can be...they eat, poop, sleep, brumate, snuggle, and get hormonal...what more can they do to be like the average beardie? Heck they even were caught glass dancing this year. That made me cry with sorrow and happiness.
I'm sorry I know they are mine an all, but I think they are the cutest beardies ever. :love5:

Welp...off to feed babies!

 

[ShiverBug]

SpitFyre:
They each control a lung, head, and limbs on their side of their body.
The tail is a mystery as it seems like neither really has control of it, but they both feel when I touch it.
They can both feel when I stoke them down their back too.

This is so amazing!! I was directed here via my introduction post (this is only my second post), and I am so in awe of Zak-n-Wheezie! Have they ever been x-rayed? That would be a truly fascinating image. (Am an x-ray tech, hence the interest.) Obviously they eat with 2 mouths, but how many vents do they have? Do their digestive track link up somewhere along the way?

Hm. Are these terribly weird questions on my part?

 

[Esther19]

If I recall correctly, there is an xray a few pages back.

 

[ShiverBug]

Esther19, thank you for letting me know there was one, I started scanning backwards to find it.

Oh my gosh!! That is one of the most amizing things I have seen. If you had a clear enough copy, it could almost double as surreal photography! My question stands, tho. 2 mouths, 2 stomachs... 2 vents? Also, one or two hearts? Since they are such a small animal (and the x-ray was taken when they were smaller) it's hard for me to see the soft tissues.

And it's fascinating that they each seem to have their own personality. And of course, it seems they're polar opposites. One likes to snooze, and one is an early bird, etc.

 

[littlebirdy]

Got unsubscribed to Zak and Wheezers. Again. School starts again on the 27th. Can't wait to delight a whole new bunch of kids with Zak-n-Wheezy pics!

 

[fresnowitte]

ShiverBug thank-you for you reply and no those are not weird questions on your part.

The xray isn't a very clear one that's for sure. I have been told 2 stomachs. They have one heart, but it is larger than a normal heart. It seems to be just perfect for their system to function correctly. As for vent, they have only one vent and one sexual organ/hemi.

LittleBirdy we are tickled that you will again share them with the students. Schools and children are always so amazed with them...not like the rest of us aren't. But I love the childrens faces and the amazing questions that follow.

I'll try to get some more pic's up sometime this week... :wink:

 

[Mummapinkham]

Of all the notifications I get from this forum I love seeing the updates of Zac n Wheezie. My 4 year old daughter sits on my lap as I read them to her. My husband has also taken an interest in them. They are the cutest beardies I have ever seen and knowing you gave them the chance to survive and have loved them all these years makes me smile!! They are little miracles and they are not strange they are AWESOME!!!

 

[fresnowitte]

Now that makes my day Mummapinkham!
Thank-you!

For your daughter a good morning pic. :wink:

 

[sweetiepie9]

They just get cuter as they get older. I just love the look, almost smug!! Love your boy!!!

 

[Menolly07]

Ugh! How am I supposed to deal with that adorable. I always read warnings, "Don't kiss reptiles." Yeah right. I'd smooch these boys right on the muzzle tips if they'd let me. I figure that's why the front lip scales look like they're puckering up! Look at those come hither stares! Mussed up bed spikes. Those are the look of beardies wanting to be..... Maybe left alone a leeeeeetle bit more and allowed to sleep later, no Momma, we're not hungry yet, let us sleep in, aw man, and pictures too, jeez! But still..... Smooches!!

 

[littlebirdy]

Zak: How YOU doin'?
Wheezy: Oh LORD.

 

[jsnsan]

Haha. You should totally photo shop some word bubbles in there with what little birdy said. Too Cute!

 

[Goonie]

Beardie on the left of the picture (sorry, Zak-n-Wheezie, I can never remember!): How YOU doin'?
Beardie on the right of the picture: Oh LORD.

Looking at them facing front, Zak is on the left and Wheezie is on the right.