Ned's Story

Ned’s Story

I had never had any particular interest in lizards. I wouldn’t say I didn’t like them.... but rather had not discovered the joy they can bring. Even after I discovered a keen interest for them, it truly was Ned who showed me the joy and love they can offer.

During my first co-op after my first year of Veterinary Technician schooling I had applied for a job working on the farm at Centreville. I needed the co-op hours as part of my schooling requirements and the “far away farm” offered experience with a variety of animals ranging from cats to emu’s; which are terrifying by the way. (It was here I developed a healthy fear of pigs as well!) One of the animals I took care of  was an approximately 8 year old bearded dragon named Ted. For the majority of the summer I was comfortable placing food in Ted’s house, quietly observing him but definitely not touching him. Near the end of that summer I had finally worked up the courage to pet him, hold him, and actually go for strolls through the farm with him. I brought him out for the general public to see, touch, and learn about. He was a pretty well socialized guy.

Upon finishing up my summer job and saying goodbye to Ted and the other animals on the farm I was bracing myself for another year of technician schooling. I had grown so attached the Ted that I decided to do some proper research and get a bearded dragon of my own.

I had never owned a lizard of any kind so, although I am a strong advocate for adoption, I made the decision to purchase a baby from a local legitimate breeder. I decided on this because although many dogs and cats are perfectly healthy in shelter, a lizard is more likely to have ongoing health concerns simply because the reason they are in the shelter is because often the owner could not afford the treatment they need, due to poor husbandry. I was not prepared for a rescue because I had never owned one and figured for my first scaly friend I should find one who has the best chances of success. At this point I feel comfortable enough that my next friend will be an adoption for sure.

I went to the breeder’s shop after acquiring all of the necessary lizard keeping supplies, and picked up a 3 month old runt. He actually was a runt! He was not as pretty as the others, plain and fairly small in comparison to his brothers and sisters.

Soon after I purchased him I had to return to school in Orillia to start classes and so on, so Ned came with me, along with my senior kitty.  He was all set up in his new house and seemed content.  Often I would bring him to school with me because he was a pretty calm guy and my fellow students loved him too.  He became pretty well known in the vet tech class. He had many adventures in his first year some good, some terrifying for me. Once I lost him within the room I was renting. I tore the place apart looking for him thinking that the only possible thing to happen was that the girl in the room next to me’s sneaky kitten must have slipped into my room and stolen the Ned. Turns out he had found a hole in the stand of my desk and went for a quiet nap.

After school, I obtained a job here at The Richview Animal Hospital and it didn’t take me long to start bringing him to work with me. The staff here loved him too, along with some of our wonderful clients.

Now living in Toronto, Ned had moved once again and started his life in the city. Frequently I took him for walks/ strolls so he could enjoy the actual sun; also he got to meet many people. Because he was well socialized from a very early age, most stuff didn’t phase him. If he began to get nervous/ stressed with too much commotion I would simply place him into my purse and he would chill out and have a relaxing nap.

I have “lost” him many times! He always had a habit of crawling into some tiny space that no creature could ever fit into and take a nap. Once I thought I lost him for good. Turns out he found a tiny crack under our dishwasher and was just sleeping there until Mike retrieved him. He didn’t appreciate being removed from his new favourite nap place.

Another time I brought him to a cottage in the winter for the rally of the tall pines. While we were out we had placed his portable house near the heater to keep him comfortable while we were out in the cold watching the rally. Upon returning back to the cottage, we saw his portable house next to the heater…. Empty (whaaaat?) Eventually we located him snuggled up in a cool dark place having a nap.  That’s right…..he broke out of his house and somehow (I still can’t fathom how) climbed up hardwood stairs(again this is quite a feat for a little guy) ran through the kitchen, down the hall and found a nice place for a nap.  That was probably the scariest incidence of him going missing.

I realize it seems weird to be so attached to a lizard. For most they are more of a decorative pet, like fish. But for me he was the equivalent to a good friend and my life revolved around him. In many ways he was what kept me sane and stable.

Recently due to a highly unfortunate accident I lost my best little buddy. My heart is broken. 

Part of moving on after losing your best friend is knowing that you are not alone. Others have gone through it, they feel your pain. It sucks but death is part of life. Support is offered by your loved ones, which for me was more people than I had even known. It will get better, you will feel better, it just takes time to heal a broken heart.

Lexy, RVT