So, the inevitable has occurred, Zaphod has passed. He was only 5, and maybe that is an OK age, but I just expected him to live more years than that. I don't know, but I feel that I failed him somehow by not having him live for 7 years or so. I know that there are no set rules, but damn it, I wanted him to be here longer. I consider myself blessed to have had him with us these few years and I know that he was spoiled while he was here, but could I have done anything differently to give him a longer life? I guess I will never know, but I do know he was loved as one of the family.
I consider myself very fortunate to have had Zaphod in my life, but also I am fortunate to have known this community. Zaphod was a Petco Brat, but I don't regret one minute of having him in my life . He brought me so much happiness and I learned so much having him in my life.
Now I am left with the unfortunate inevitability of dealing with the loss of a family member. Zaphod had been so involved with the day to day routines and only now do I realize how much he was a part of our lives. I walk by the enclosure now with no lights on and it seems wrong. I don't need to fill the water reservoir and it seems wrong. I walk slowly by the enclosure so I don't startle my boy,He's not there, and it just feels wrong.
Wow, what an impact this little dude has had on our family.
I am OK with the situation, I knew that Zaphod's time was limited, but I loved my little boy and wanted him to live forever. I thank my wife for being the one who was able to hand feed him most of the time and make sure he got his supplements. (he was such a stubborn eater) I am so grateful that he would look to come out of his enclosure more and more as he got older. (Yes, he was a stinky little veiled for a few years) and of course I am grateful that he did not have any major health issues while in our care.
Having enjoyed spending basically 5 years with Zaphod, I am forever grateful that I was given the opportunity to care for him and become a member of this community.
Having dealt with the passing of our boy, at the same time that we were dealing with the loss I came across this podcast from Bill Strand. It was just coincidental timing, and I did not necessarily need to understand the feelings that I was experiencing, but I gave a listen... I must say this is well done. I'm attaching the link to the podcast here...
http://www.chameleonbreeder.com/podcast/ep-79-mourning-your-chameleon/
and also the tribute to Zaphod...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/zaphod-has-passed.158917/
These little guys can truly get into our hearts quickly and make more of an impact than we realize. I hope to have another scaley friend soon, but for now we will just remember all the great memories and moments that we have due to a little impulse buy 5 years ago. I cant believe I'm going to say this, but thanks Petco I couldn't have picked a cooler cham .
I consider myself very fortunate to have had Zaphod in my life, but also I am fortunate to have known this community. Zaphod was a Petco Brat, but I don't regret one minute of having him in my life . He brought me so much happiness and I learned so much having him in my life.
Now I am left with the unfortunate inevitability of dealing with the loss of a family member. Zaphod had been so involved with the day to day routines and only now do I realize how much he was a part of our lives. I walk by the enclosure now with no lights on and it seems wrong. I don't need to fill the water reservoir and it seems wrong. I walk slowly by the enclosure so I don't startle my boy,He's not there, and it just feels wrong.
Wow, what an impact this little dude has had on our family.
I am OK with the situation, I knew that Zaphod's time was limited, but I loved my little boy and wanted him to live forever. I thank my wife for being the one who was able to hand feed him most of the time and make sure he got his supplements. (he was such a stubborn eater) I am so grateful that he would look to come out of his enclosure more and more as he got older. (Yes, he was a stinky little veiled for a few years) and of course I am grateful that he did not have any major health issues while in our care.
Having enjoyed spending basically 5 years with Zaphod, I am forever grateful that I was given the opportunity to care for him and become a member of this community.
Having dealt with the passing of our boy, at the same time that we were dealing with the loss I came across this podcast from Bill Strand. It was just coincidental timing, and I did not necessarily need to understand the feelings that I was experiencing, but I gave a listen... I must say this is well done. I'm attaching the link to the podcast here...
http://www.chameleonbreeder.com/podcast/ep-79-mourning-your-chameleon/
and also the tribute to Zaphod...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/zaphod-has-passed.158917/
These little guys can truly get into our hearts quickly and make more of an impact than we realize. I hope to have another scaley friend soon, but for now we will just remember all the great memories and moments that we have due to a little impulse buy 5 years ago. I cant believe I'm going to say this, but thanks Petco I couldn't have picked a cooler cham .