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It's me, Trace (OLD MEMBERS PLS READ) ... A gexfiles child has left us...

gexfiles Aug 27, 2003 10:22 AM

This is not the posting I wanted to put as a first here in a long time... to those who do not know me, I used to be a big time regular here. I spent a lot of my time helping others here and through my website, gexfiles.com, which I created in early 2000 because of my own rescued leopard geckos. Due to a move and major changes in life things have been too busy to frequent or post, not that I do not think about it.

This morning I lost my precious Bull. He has been ailing some time now. I had a fecal done on him quite a long time ago and there were no signs of parasites. I thought perhaps he was going through breeding woes but it was obviously more than that. I have him bundled for necrospy to find out what is wrong. I feel it is organ failure, his liver is very enlarged and dark. In a week or so I will have the news, only an expert can determine what has really happened. He was dying while I was holding him, eyes sinking into his head and it was the sorryest sight I have ever seen. I am saddened beyond words.

This is my first personal loss. I realize with owning pets that they all leave us, but this is way before his time, regardless of his rough life and story. He is the biggest rescue mission I have had and the most precious.

To those who know Ron and Kelly from hidebox.com, they helped me save him a few years back and I will always be grateful for their help and going way beyond what a friend means by taking him in and driving him all the way to my house. They have his son, Colorado, which relieves me to know he is survived by at least one offspring. Bully was in a bad situtation and his mate had already died, hence the urgency of his rescue, so we did save him from an untimely death years ago. I just wish he was still with me.

Rest in peace sweet precious boy, I miss my Bully wully already....
Image

Replies (20)

geckoluver101 Aug 27, 2003 11:20 AM

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It's always hard when one of your closest friends even if it's your pet passes on. Just remember how happy he was with you and i'm sure he had a good life. Katie
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Owner of 1.2 Leopard Geckos, 3.0 Fire Belly Toads, 0.0.3 Treefrogs, 1.1 Bahaman Anoles, 1.0 Japanese Fire Belly Newt
and 0.0.1 Turtle

geeboo Aug 27, 2003 11:27 AM

Sorry to hear about your loss Trace. It is hard on a person to loose a freind so close. At least you gave him a few good years of life to enjoy .
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Even if your on the right track you will get run over if you just sit there
20 leos,1.1 redtail boas,1.1 rainbow boas,1.1 cornsnakes, 1.0 tokay gecko,1.0 veiled cham, 5 dogs and a cat. Oh, can't forget Tater my parrolet.

E2MacPets Aug 27, 2003 11:31 AM

Oh no! I'm so sorry for your loss, that's horrible

Gexfiles and Hidebox are primarily responsible for my house being overrun by geckos today. It's so nice to hear from you again, but I'm so sad at the same time!
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Rick Aug 27, 2003 11:47 AM

Wow, Trace, I'm really shocked in disbelief. I know how much you loved him and how well you cared for him. I'm truly sorry for your loss and I will grieve along with you.

Good bye 'lil fella....
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Rick-Geckoland USA
Email me

KelliH Aug 27, 2003 11:59 AM

Trace-
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, I know how much you love all your geckos and what good care you give your "kids". I have loved reading and seeing pics of Bull, Baby and the others over the years. Take care and please let us know what the necropsy report says.
Sincerely-
Gecko Forum Old Timer (aka KelliH)
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Peace-
Kelli Hammack
H.I.S.S.
email me

Starling Aug 27, 2003 01:48 PM

I know how much you loved Bull, I still remember seeing pics of him. I am sorry for your loss. Are all your other gex ok?

Trace Aug 27, 2003 06:14 PM

Yeah, everyone else is doing just great.
Bull had a rough life before we rescued him. I did get a fecal done and there were no signs of parasites before and after I moved here. What I worry is if this move did him in.

Let's do a little chrono of the Life of Bully:

1. early 2000:
shipped from Texas with his mate, Zelda, to Massachusetts
2. spring 2000:
both decline in new owners care, I try to help, Zelda dies
3. May 2000:
kid acquires new juvenile gecko, decides now wants neither, ships them from Mass. to West Virginia to Ron and Kelly
4. Summer 2000:
Ron and Kelly keep Bull and Eve and then bring Bull up to me in Ontario. He recovers fully in both our homes, gains 30g, weighs in almost 80g by January 2002.
5. Fall 2002:
Bully travels again with me (along with Roman, Baby, Butterfly, Muppet, Glyn, Matisse and Esmie) to New Jersey
6. Late Spring/Early Summer 2003:
Bull gets fecal due to weight loss and it comes back negative. He begins to eat again and seems to recover (moody? Breeding woes?)
7. Summer 2003:
Bull stops eating and assist feeding begins
8. Late Summer 2003:
Bull's healthy declines and I ponder euthanasia, then he passes away.

I feel that with all the moving and things Bull has gone through that something I could not control happened. The necropsy will hopefully give me tha answers that I need.

I hope all is well with you and yours, Starling! I wish we conversed on here in different circumstances...

Trace

xelda Aug 27, 2003 02:04 PM

Hi Trace, I'm new to the board, but I've been to your website before. I'm very sorry about your loss.

You do a lot of great things. I hope for the best with your other leos.
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Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams...

LeoEyes Aug 27, 2003 02:04 PM

Im soooo sorry trace, I know how much you love your animals.....

All i can say is, even though he is gone, he has know your love and proper care and treatment. He is in the Lord's hands now, and will never know pain again.... I know its small comfort, but hopefully it will help. (I know it helped me when I lost my cat, shiler, of 12 years)

btw this is Rachel, Orion's mama

Blazin Aug 27, 2003 02:28 PM

Sorry for your loss Trace. Hang in there. Come back to the forum!

GoldenGateGeckos Aug 27, 2003 02:35 PM

OMG. Trace.... I am sooooo sorry! You were always there for me whenever I suffered a loss, and I want to be there for you, too. PLEASE call me!
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Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
www.goldengategeckos.com

GoldenGateGeckos Aug 27, 2003 02:44 PM

Tracy, I would like very much to give you one of my geckos as a replacement, even though there will never be another Bull. Please copntact me.
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Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
www.goldengategeckos.com

gexfiles Aug 27, 2003 04:14 PM

You are so sweet, Marcia. I was in the process of emailing you actually and have been thinking about you a LOT lately. Not only about the geckos but about plans we have talked about as well (Mike and I)

I am emailing you as we speak....

Thanks for your support, it means more than words can say.

Trace

ghostknife Aug 27, 2003 02:39 PM

Wow, this is the first time I have checked in with the forum in a long time, and I am so saddened by the news. Rest assured that you gave him the best possible life he could have had and that the extra time you gave him were precious to you both. I will miss his envolvement in the Gex Files!

powergeckos Aug 27, 2003 03:18 PM

Trace, what a rotten deal. I too am sorry about your loss. I would be curious to find out what happened.

I sure miss your posts. It's just not the same with the old gang. Back then, I was the new kid on the block!

Take care and keep in touch.
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Monte Meyer
Powergeckos
Email

Mealworms . . . .you can't eat just one

RandyS Aug 27, 2003 05:08 PM

:

Rob Jenkins Aug 27, 2003 06:34 PM

Really sorry about this; we all know how much he meant to you. It's never easy to lose any pet, especially one you've grown so attached to.

I'm emailing you right now.
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Buy Geckos Here
Email Me

Youkai Aug 27, 2003 08:31 PM

Hey Trace,

I feel horribly for you. You fought so hard for Bull.
I don't know if you got my message or not. But please drop me a line (youkai@shaw.ca) if you get a chance.
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I am highly prized for my meat.

geckoman2003 Aug 27, 2003 11:19 PM

Trace, I don't know you as I'm pretty new to this forum. I understand how you are feeling as I just lost my oldest male this week also. He was my first leo and my best breeder (untill 3 years ago). I didn't keep very good records back when I got him. I got him as a pet about 13 yrs back. He became much more. He was the one I always took to shows at schools. He also would enjoy just sitting on my lap or hand for hours at a time. I lost one of his mates earlier this year. She was about 11 yrs. She didn't care for me the way he did. I had a fecal done on him as well with no signs of parasites. I can't help but think he died of a broken heart. He had other cagemates, but none for as long as her. I know I am putting human qualities on a gecko, but I can't help but fear the day I go on after spending 90% of my life with one specail women and her now be gone. It pains me to just think about it!
I have decided to just give "Big Guy" his peace now!! But I do have one of his little girls. She should breed for me next year. Maybe I should incubate for a male?!

JJay Aug 27, 2003 11:21 PM

Hi Tracy,

It seems a lot of the "old timers" here know you very well and respect you and I have a lot of respect for them. I am new to this forum as of the beginning of 2003. I don't remember any of your posts although I may have seen them, I don't know.

Anyway, Just wanted to offer my condolences and deepest sympathy. God bless you!

JJay
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JJay

This is Alma, my Bell Albino

4.5.3 leopard geckos (9 eggs incubating)
0.1 Map turtle

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