Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone. Remember Lumpy, the little deformed baby bearded dragon with one eye. Socket, his brother, is doing very well. Unfortunately, Lumpy isn't doing as well. I knew when I got him that he may not make it. Now I'm certain of it, this will be his only Christmas.

He still manages to chase down a few crickets everyday, but in the last week he has thrown them up twice. His poor little body just won't grow. We hasn't grown or put on any weight in the last 2 months. He seems to have trouble swallowing and keeping things down. Even water gives him problems. I don't believe he is in any pain, because he gets around his cage ok and manages to capture crickets.

I think I finally realized that this is going to be his only Christmas and it's so sad. I don't know how long I can let this go on. I know he won't get better, only worse. It's just knowing when to pull the plug. That's the hardest part, mentally. And then convincing myself that I did the right then when it's all said and done.

I'm sorry to post such a sad and heartbreaking message right before Christmas. I just wanted you to all be aware, so if we don't have him much longer you will all know why.

I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas. Thanks to everyone who has helped me out this year! CheriS, JoelR, ChristyJ, Mattman, Grimdog, Wideglide, BeginnersBasics, Reiko, Beardiedragon, Gunilla, and GoldDragon. You've all helped me in some way and I really appreciate it! You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

God Bless,
Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

It is so very sad to see a sick dragon or animal. It is always the most difficult call of when to end it. But you never know reptiles are very odd creatures and have a very strong will to live. I hope you have a very merry xmas and a great new year a kind soul like yourself definately deserves it. I could not imagine taking in many rescues it must be very tough, I can never give away herps I rescue.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Thanks for the words of encouragement. It is hard to find adoptive homes for our rescues sometimes. But if a home isn't up to our standard, they don't get the reptile. I guess that makes me feel a little better about giving some away. But once in a while we get one in that finds its way into our heart, like Lumpy has. I've tried so hard not to get attached ... what can I say - he's such a character. He will eat out of my hand and then fall asleep in my hand in front of the TV. I'll miss him when he's gone. You have a merry Christmas too!

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

Aww, I'm so sorry Veronica that poor Lumpy is not doing to well. What a hard decision it is when to let them go, but I think in your heart you knew the inevitable would happen. It took a loving heart to make whatever days he did have comfortable, and as enjoyable as possible for Lumpy, and you did that and more. Hope you have a Merry Christmas as well, and I thank you for all your help this year, and you know how much I appreciate the rescues that you do. Best wishes Veronica.
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

I've really appreciated your help and encouragement over the last year. You're a very thoughtful person to say the least. I know that Lumpy's last day is drawing close and we're going to make the best of it! I plan to get lots of photos of him and make it memorable. I just hope and pray that when the day does come that he will lose his battle one night in his sleep.

You have a great Christmas too! By the way, your CD is on the way! Let me know when you get it!

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

Aww Veronica, I know its been hard with him, but you gave him something that few would have had.

He can not say thank you, but you know in your heart that he does. He has dealt best with the handicap he has and you have also, if he can not survive with them, that nothing in your or his control.

I know you know to soak him and hydrate him as best you can, and soft food, but if his joy is chasing crickets, let him have that now... he will let you know when his joy is gone and he is tired.
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www.reptilerooms.com

This means a lot coming from you Cheri. You're absolutely right! He is dealing with his handicap the best way he possibly can and there's nothing I can do about it. It's just an awful feeling to feel so helpless about his condition. I'm sure you've felt that before too. Sometimes there's nothing we can do.

Yeah, he loves to catch his crickets. But when he doesn't eat crickets, for one reason or another, I give him some squash baby food with calcium and pedialyte and occasionally some vitamin B. He will lick it off of his lips. He can only eat about .2 cc's before he will start to regurgitate it. He gets this mixture about once a week. He really doesn't like baths though. I think it scares him.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and new year!

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

If he can make it,, you be the one to help him pull through. You have the knowledge & the contacts to do all that is possible to help him, if he can be helped.
Keep in mind that they can't all make it, it's natures way.
(I know that's not a nice thing to hear but it helps me when things just don't work out in the end.)

Good luck.
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Joel R

Coming Soon!
www.SpikesAndScales.com

I'm just going to have to keep telling myself that - It's natures way and there's nothing I can do about it. It's getting really hard to look at him everyday and tell myself that he's not going to be around much longer. Now when I start to feel sorry for myself, I think about Peter (Georgio) losing Pebbles (his gorgesous uro)! What a sad sad day it has been for him. I hoped that his beloved uro would pull through. I can't believe she went downhill so quickly.

You have a good evening Joel. And thanks for the kind words. You put a smile on my face.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

Everyone has already said what needs to be said, so I won't parrot them..
I just want you to know that people that do what you do are very special in my book. Anyone that cares enough to do what they can for a helpless animal deserves a great big ((((Mommy hug)))).
Poor Lumpy, he's so darn cute too. The fact that he has lived this long is a testament to the care you've given him.
But, just think, when Lumpy crosses the Rainbow Bridge, he'll be whole again and running in the biggest cricket infested field ever.
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www.classylizard.com

Thanks Christy! I needed that hug. Well, he just threw up again. But this time it wasn't crickets that he threw up, it was greens that were half digested. That little sucker is trying to eat salad! He keeps suprising me. He's trying so hard... ugh... this really tears at my heart to see him like this. Ok, gotta go before I start crying again.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

I hope that Lumpy's one and only Christmas is a great one. He's a cutey.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

...
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Beautiful Dragons

And the rest of your pets. You've done a great thing with your website. I've heard of puppy mills and such but never realized it happens with every kind of pet. The info on your site and a few others have made me extra cautious through the whole purchase and raising of my dragon. I know my dragon wouldn't be as healthy as he is without the things I learned from your site.

Thank you! I'll give Lumpy your message as soon as I get home from work tonight. He seemed to look a little more perky this morning and chased down a few crickets. Yesterday he wasn't doing well keeping things down. So we'll see. He's come a long way with us and when he decides that it's his time, we'll be there right next to him. I hope you have a great Christmas too!

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

I think what you do is just an indication of how selfless, compassionate and caring you are. To take your own emotional pain and put it aside so that Lumpy might be as comfortable as possible is something very special you posess.

When you sit there and shed a tear for that little guy be sure to know he couldn't have gone to a better home than yours.

Also, thank you for all you have done for our beloved beardies!!!! Your hard work makes our lives easier and our dragons lives better!
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Rob

And the funny thing is, I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Don't know why I put myself through all the pain and agony of rescuing a creature that has the odds stacked against him. I guess I feel that they deserve a chance just like every other living thing does. Thanks for your kind words and understanding. You've helped me with a lot too Rob. You have a very merry Christmas!

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

Hi
i think you dith a very nice job in nature he would be killed in vew days and have no changes!
atleast he have runned around and saw abit of this world
atleast he could do what beardies love to do ,hunting a cricket down .
goodluck !!
byeeeeeee