This Tenchi, my beardie and first reptile. Thanks to Nanci for the inspiration for the new setup.
I know she is a bit too thin and I'm working now on getting her wieght up to optimal range. Sadly as with many people getting their first reptile, I didn't do enough research and though we new she needed uvb, we didn't know it needed to be changed ever six months or so, so her growth suffered and she is a bit smaller than she should be.
I'll be completely honest because I don't think I'll get flamed here, but she hasn't been properly cared for all her life. I knew getting her would mean work, and at first it was great, but then the buzz wore off and for several years, I won't say I neglected her completely, but I didn't do my best. For several years it was off and on. From time to time something would snap and I'd start do the right thing again and a few days later it was back to the same old same old. Keep in mind that this dragon is over eight years old, but it was only maybe a year and a half to two years ago that she was moved out of a twenty long into this 40 gallon breeder. My getting into snakes didn't help at all and she got placed on the back burner. I fell like crap just thinking about now. It was only relatively recently that I really got it together. I was praying one day an it hit me. I know many of us have different beliefs, but to me, these are God's creations, and He's entrusted them to my care, and how dare I do anything but the absolute best I can to care for them. Why should one of my animals get better care then any of the others? How would I feel if I were in her position? I feel terrible just thinking about it, but now I'm trying to make up for it. I'm doing the absolute best I can for her and I think she feels like a princess with all the extra attention. I know I really screwed up for a while there, but I love and I'm making it right. Sorry, just had to get that out.
Now for the pics, watcha think?
I know she is a bit too thin and I'm working now on getting her wieght up to optimal range. Sadly as with many people getting their first reptile, I didn't do enough research and though we new she needed uvb, we didn't know it needed to be changed ever six months or so, so her growth suffered and she is a bit smaller than she should be.
I'll be completely honest because I don't think I'll get flamed here, but she hasn't been properly cared for all her life. I knew getting her would mean work, and at first it was great, but then the buzz wore off and for several years, I won't say I neglected her completely, but I didn't do my best. For several years it was off and on. From time to time something would snap and I'd start do the right thing again and a few days later it was back to the same old same old. Keep in mind that this dragon is over eight years old, but it was only maybe a year and a half to two years ago that she was moved out of a twenty long into this 40 gallon breeder. My getting into snakes didn't help at all and she got placed on the back burner. I fell like crap just thinking about now. It was only relatively recently that I really got it together. I was praying one day an it hit me. I know many of us have different beliefs, but to me, these are God's creations, and He's entrusted them to my care, and how dare I do anything but the absolute best I can to care for them. Why should one of my animals get better care then any of the others? How would I feel if I were in her position? I feel terrible just thinking about it, but now I'm trying to make up for it. I'm doing the absolute best I can for her and I think she feels like a princess with all the extra attention. I know I really screwed up for a while there, but I love and I'm making it right. Sorry, just had to get that out.
Now for the pics, watcha think?
