An Iguana was the last thing I wanted

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Posted by jif on April 15, 2001 at 17:36:43:

In Reply to: Why an Iguana? posted by Christy on April 14, 2001 at 21:40:18:

while I was managing a local pet store. I really knew nothing about them but I thought at that time that they were pretty ordinary compared to some of the other herps I was seeing. Well, that was my first and certainly not my last erroneous thought. My first true experience with an ig was when 2 adults were dumped at the store in a 125 gallon tank. The male was too far gone to save but I busted my rear trying to save the female. I read all the wrong books, fed her romaine and broccoli, gave her the proper lighting, and doted on her constantly. Three months later in March when I quit the store she left with me, 5 pounds heavier than when she had arrived. I spent the entire summer on the internet, reading and researching and slapping myself on the head! Thelma grew and filled out even more with a proper diet and room to move around; she became my constant companion. How could I have ever thought these animals were ordinary!? It's almost 5 years later and she's still with me, now about 10 pounds heavier than when I first laid eyes on her(she weighs in at almost 12 pounds) and 6 inches longer. She started this whole obsession that I call rescue and rehab.
Since Thelma came into my life there have been plenty of other iguanas who have come and gone, some who couldn't survive, some who survived that I would have sworn didn't have a chance, some that touched me so deeply that they will never leave here. Thelma is certainly not the most beautiful iguana that I've ever seen, but to me she's perfect and sweet and will always have a special place in my heart.
Is it all worth it? The expense, the time, the scratches, the worry? Does the fact that I really have no life other than work, kids, and lizards bother me? Right now I wouldn't trade what I do for anything I can imagine. The satisfaction that I feel when I see a sick iguana regaining it's health, when I see burns healing nicely, when Thelma comes to sit on my lap and visit at 10pm when I'm checking my email, is something I'm not willing to give up right now. When I arrange an adoption that seems like a perfect match, what more could I ask for? Happy ig, happy humans. Happy me.
Please excuse the rambling and run-ons, but that's my story. It may not be extraordinary, but I can assure you that Thelma is.

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: while I was managing a local pet store. I really knew nothing about them but I thought at that time that they were pretty ordinary compared to some of the other herps I was seeing. Well, that was my first and certainly not my last erroneous thought. My first true experience with an ig was when 2 adults were dumped at the store in a 125 gallon tank. The male was too far gone to save but I busted my rear trying to save the female. I read all the wrong books, fed her romaine and broccoli, gave her the proper lighting, and doted on her constantly. Three months later in March when I quit the store she left with me, 5 pounds heavier than when she had arrived. I spent the entire summer on the internet, reading and researching and slapping myself on the head! Thelma grew and filled out even more with a proper diet and room to move around; she became my constant companion. How could I have ever thought these animals were ordinary!? It's almost 5 years later and she's still with me, now about 10 pounds heavier than when I first laid eyes on her(she weighs in at almost 12 pounds) and 6 inches longer. She started this whole obsession that I call rescue and rehab. : Since Thelma came into my life there have been plenty of other iguanas who have come and gone, some who couldn't survive, some who survived that I would have sworn didn't have a chance, some that touched me so deeply that they will never leave here. Thelma is certainly not the most beautiful iguana that I've ever seen, but to me she's perfect and sweet and will always have a special place in my heart. : Is it all worth it? The expense, the time, the scratches, the worry? Does the fact that I really have no life other than work, kids, and lizards bother me? Right now I wouldn't trade what I do for anything I can imagine. The satisfaction that I feel when I see a sick iguana regaining it's health, when I see burns healing nicely, when Thelma comes to sit on my lap and visit at 10pm when I'm checking my email, is something I'm not willing to give up right now. When I arrange an adoption that seems like a perfect match, what more could I ask for? Happy ig, happy humans. Happy me. : Please excuse the rambling and run-ons, but that's my story. It may not be extraordinary, but I can assure you that Thelma is.

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