I remember an old Wille Nelson song "There's Nothing Cold As Ashes After the Fire Is Gone" . That's the blues I'm singing these days. Anticipating a move that wouldn't allow all our animals to follow, I began way ahead of time searching for good placements for each animal: a male leopard gecko, male bearded dragon, male ball python, two male ferrets, and my 5' male iguana, Moe. I miss them all. Each was very special, very tame and human responsive, but Moe tapped into my soul. Moe would walk across the room, crawl up my leg, place his head on my chest and go to sleep. Moe loved the sun, but when I released him from his tether in the back yard, he would make a bee line to the back door. Shortly before I placed him I had back injury and was laying on the floor on my back trying to relax it from the spasms. Moe walked over, placed his chin on my shoulder, and licked my cheek as if to say "I feel ya', bro!" When he would get in season he would occasionally charge some people. The only time he ever charged me was when I brought home a female to rehab for someone. I reached my arm over her back to grab her snout to force feed some canned pumpkin (laxative). Moe, I think, thought I was mounting her, and charged me, mouth gaped for biting.

My animals required so much time that is now empty. We still have two sugar gliders and two dogs, but I sure miss my scaley friends. And I suspect they miss me, too, especially Moe. I know they are reptiles, but you can't convince me Moe doesn't have emotional feelings. I thought returning to my discussion boards and writing about this might do me some good. Thanks for letting me ramble.

Dan

Welcome to HC Network Dan.....sorry to hear about you having to place your animals....maybe in time you can acquire some more....I know my iguanas love me...being the only one in a house with 9 people who cares for them, they know who their owners are....best wishes....

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

Welcome to Herp Center. Life sometimes brings tough choices... I've been lucky enough to live in places that allow me to keep Gil (my 4+ y/o male ig) AND people to help me move his enclosure. Grieve your loss, and know that we're here for you if you need.

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~~Steph

"This I believe: That the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world." John Steinbeck