MedicMan1
Established Member
Hey all, happy holidays!
Some of you might remember a thread I posted circa 2017, in which we rescued a Sambava panther boy, nursed him back to health, and he exploded into a massive healthy guy. If you don’t, no problem, here’s the thread!
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...y-of-love-and-patience-very-pic-heavy.155114/
It pains me (literally) to share the news that our beloved Smaug, featured in that thread, passed away last year a couple of months after his SEVENTH birthday. He gave us many years of love and fun, and we miss him dearly. We had him cremated and he’s still with us.
We didn’t know when we were getting another, but we knew we would. The other day, we happened across a little one (another panther) in a box box pet store (I know I know, I’m contributing to the problem). My heartstrings were pulled major league, as this one has also had a really rough start to life and nearly died. Per the story from the manager, “it” was so skinny when they got it that his/her poor hipbones had literally broken the skin. They spent a couple months nursing the little thing back to health, and I’m actually impressed, as it seems they did a halfway decent job. The manager seems to be the only person I’ve come across in this particular chain of stores that knows chameleons at least a little bit. Anyhoo. I felt like it was Smaug reaching through the veil and telling us it was time. This is our new baby, we pick him/her (I personally am leaning towards female) after Christmas. Theyre holding the little one. I just couldn’t let it go to someone who didn’t know how to take care of Panther chameleons. My heart wouldn’t allow it.
One of the silver linings of this “rescue” (I think it qualifies as a rescue), is that with all of the handling during “rehab” in the store, this is the friendliest panther baby I’ve ever seen. He/she climbs right into my hand as soon as it’s offered, and isn’t stanoffish AT ALL. I think he/she will be a little sweetie.
I’ll document the progress here, like in the other thread. I’m excited to see how this little one develops!! Let me know what you guys think about the male/female debate. They were calling it a HE, but the pink and muted colors made me think SHE, and now I’m wish-washy because it has some really pretty pastel blues on the cheeks occasionally, and staff said they’ve seen some other colors like bright green. Who knows.
Sorry for the novel! Glad to be back!!
Some of you might remember a thread I posted circa 2017, in which we rescued a Sambava panther boy, nursed him back to health, and he exploded into a massive healthy guy. If you don’t, no problem, here’s the thread!
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...y-of-love-and-patience-very-pic-heavy.155114/
It pains me (literally) to share the news that our beloved Smaug, featured in that thread, passed away last year a couple of months after his SEVENTH birthday. He gave us many years of love and fun, and we miss him dearly. We had him cremated and he’s still with us.
We didn’t know when we were getting another, but we knew we would. The other day, we happened across a little one (another panther) in a box box pet store (I know I know, I’m contributing to the problem). My heartstrings were pulled major league, as this one has also had a really rough start to life and nearly died. Per the story from the manager, “it” was so skinny when they got it that his/her poor hipbones had literally broken the skin. They spent a couple months nursing the little thing back to health, and I’m actually impressed, as it seems they did a halfway decent job. The manager seems to be the only person I’ve come across in this particular chain of stores that knows chameleons at least a little bit. Anyhoo. I felt like it was Smaug reaching through the veil and telling us it was time. This is our new baby, we pick him/her (I personally am leaning towards female) after Christmas. Theyre holding the little one. I just couldn’t let it go to someone who didn’t know how to take care of Panther chameleons. My heart wouldn’t allow it.
One of the silver linings of this “rescue” (I think it qualifies as a rescue), is that with all of the handling during “rehab” in the store, this is the friendliest panther baby I’ve ever seen. He/she climbs right into my hand as soon as it’s offered, and isn’t stanoffish AT ALL. I think he/she will be a little sweetie.
I’ll document the progress here, like in the other thread. I’m excited to see how this little one develops!! Let me know what you guys think about the male/female debate. They were calling it a HE, but the pink and muted colors made me think SHE, and now I’m wish-washy because it has some really pretty pastel blues on the cheeks occasionally, and staff said they’ve seen some other colors like bright green. Who knows.
Sorry for the novel! Glad to be back!!
that says enough. This is one beautiful girl you’re getting, I love female panthers. While you’re now getting ready for her, please also prepare her laying bin inside her new enclosure. Then she can already get used to it.
She is going to have her very best life with you and I’m so happy and excited for you all. 
Thanks for saving her and giving her the life she deserves 
