The Gentle Chapter

Pets: Fur-ever Friends (DP#72)

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^Teriyaki, our bearded dragon at her favorite sunbathing spot^

Growing up, we always seemed to have pets in some shape or form. My family’s main choice were always dogs. We could trust them to watch over us while in the yard and keep watch over the house when we were gone. They were always willing to lick our tears away and give in to snuggles when we needed something warm to cling to. They had such wildly different personalities, so it was always entertaining to see what triggered the zoomies or goober behaviors with them all.

Besides dogs, I have also had fish, frogs, hamsters, birds, a guinea pig, a bearded dragon and a rabbit at one point. All these animals have taught me mainly to be held accountable for the safety and health of another being. Particularly with the animals that are in cages or enclosures, you have to stay on top of the feeding, making sure they have adequate water, as well as keeping up with the cleanliness of their environment. Having animals can teach younger children how to have empathy and responsibility, within reason. Please do not be buying your children animals if you do not believe they can be gentle or handle the work that comes from it.

All in all, animals are always available to make you smile when you are having a bad day (unless if they are anti-social themselves lol). Obviously, they can be exasperating and overwhelming at times but that is why it is important to do your research before you invest in an animals’ life.

8 responses to “Pets: Fur-ever Friends (DP#72)”

  1. observationblogger Avatar
    observationblogger

    I had to laugh reading the name of your dragon – ‘Teriyaki’ which is one of my favourite Asian sauces. The question begs, how in heck did you come up with that name? What a cool pet. I used to have a blue tongue lizard when I lived in Australia.

    Reply
    1. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
      Ashley Kittrell

      She actually has a bit of a funny story. We adopted her from one of my husband’s friends since he was moving. Initially her name was Pablo since everyone thought she was a he. Well, within the first month of being with us, low and behold, she hatches out some eggs. We were completely shook! Obviously, we had to change her name, so we were looking at more Asian style words since she is a dragon after all. She also looks a bit like raw chicken sooooo Teriyaki it is lol
      Ooh blue tongues are so sick! Was it a skink?

      Reply
      1. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        Pablo — wow, she look like raw chicken! So, the eggs have hatched? Do they need incubation? I’m clearly the least bit knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff, as you can tell. I can see now why you changed the name – it fits perfectly with the whole Chinese dragon theme, lol.

        My blue-tongue was your standard Australian blue-tongue lizard — from the skink family and one of the largest. Before that, believe it or not, I had mud crabs in an aquarium. I’m not kidding! My girlfriend in Melbourne was really into them.

      2. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Her tummy looks like raw chicken lol
        Because she was by herself, the eggs were not fertilized so they were empty. I guess I should have said laid eggs. We would be giving the babies to someone else if they were since we are not qualified to handle little baby dragons.

        Aww I love reptiles! Particularly lizards, they have such personalities man. That is crazy you had mud crabs! Do they not get pretty big?

      3. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        Sounds like something out of a fantasy novel — “We are not qualified to handle little baby dragons!” Haha.
        Thanks for the clarification about the eggs and all that. I didn’t have much luck keeping mud crabs – they can be delicate creatures to care for. Mine were just your average-sized mud crabs, I think. lol

      4. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Lol exactly! When Teriyaki got miffed, it was like being around an actual predator, geez Louise. So much attitude!
        I get that about the crabs for sure. They are very interesting with their own crack headed personalities. They can stress out pretty hard and fast.

      5. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        So funny to read ‘Teriyaki’ spoken as a living being since I’ve so often referred to it being ‘Teriyaki Stir Fry’.

        Yeh, you have to get the lamp and temperature just right for those muddies.

      6. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Lol yeah the ridiculousness is the main fun of her name. As she was a ridiculous being herself, very ornery and mischievous.

        Oh I bet! Very similar to reptiles in that regard then. Very tempermental.

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