Posted by Diana on August 30, 2000 at 19:10:29:
In Reply to: iguana anecdotes please anyone? posted by corgi on August 30, 2000 at 01:29:15:
Hi all! I'm writing an article about how rewarding owning non-tradition pets can be, and how it doesn't take a dog or cat to get feedback from a pet.
Iguana-love is not Puppy-love.
.............
Habib was a 9 month old "rescue" I got from a college student who couldnt' take him with her when she moved into the campus dorms. At first, I had no idea what to do with him; I didn't think reptiles had feelings, preferences, or personalities. I quickly learned that I was very wrong!
I'm a dog/cat person by nature. I love to cuddle with my pets, and sing them silly little songs as I feed them and groom them. I never thought I could do those things with a reptile. (Funny I should say that--I just had to cut short my usual "morning cuddling session" with Habib just now so I could type this. He's watching me now, curiously...)
Why do I love Green Iguanas so much, you ask? What makes me want one over more "traditional pets"?
Well, it's a combination of things, really. There's the pleasure of watching him walk around and lick things to see what they are. And there's the little head-tilt they do when looking up at you to say hi. There's the feeling of closeness you get when they're cuddled up on your stomach, resting comfortably after eating a hearty helping of collard greens, squash and fruit.
But perhaps the biggest reason I love having an Iguana is that I had to earn his friendship. Because he's a naturally "wild" beastie, his trust has to be earned. To make my point, I'll compare it to a situation that many of us have had at one time or another.
Know how it feels when someone just adores you--no matter what you do? I remember way back in High school there was a boy, Jason, who worshipped the ground I walked on. I could do no wrong. He'd have probably shined my shoes with his tongue if I had asked him to do so. Sure, it was a nice feeling to be liked, but I didn't have to work for his admiration, so I took it for granted. Easy come, easy go.
However, there was someone else that I had my eye on. His name was Bryan, and I did everything I could to get his approval. He didn't even know I existed, so I had to work really hard at getting his attention. I'd see him in the halls, and he'd walk right past me. I continually tried to make his aquaintance, and then one day, all my efforts to please him paid off; he said hi to me through a wide grin. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Little by little, he began to notice me, and with each nod toward approval and friendship, I became more and more infactuated. Sure, his displays of affection and admiration were more subtle than those of Jason (who was the slobbering-puppy type) but I could tell that he was starting to admire me back. Our relationship slowly changed from being one-sided into one that was mutually fulfilling.
It was so much more rewarding to have to earn the trust, admiration and devotion of Bryan, than to automatically get slobbered on by Jason.
Love from a dog or a cat or other "normal pets" is usually automatic; the puppy from the pet store is already licking your face by the time you load him into the car for the first ride home.
Not so with an Iguana.
Earning the trust and love from an Iguana is a whole different thing. This kind of loving relationship is built up over time from the ground level. Building him a cage with UBV lights and the works doesn't automatically earn you his love. Slowly, as he feels your gentle touch, hears your calm soothing voice, and associates you with warmth, comfort and food, your iguana will come to enjoy spending time with you and will actually seek out your companionship on his own.
Once you've experienced the love and companionship from an Iguana, you'll know what I mean. Until then, you'll just have to take my word for it. Iguanas have personalities that vary just like cats and dogs, and they can be every bit as lovable and cuddly (barring their scales and spikes, that is!).
Diana Smith