Comet... a tragic story and a breeder's dilemma.

[rhino43grr]

i'd be worried about these people badmouthing your business for your geckos for not being healthy or something, they clearly won't accept any responsibility in the matter themselves.
i don't understand how they can expect you to fix the same things repeatedly but ignore your input and not even realize that the gecko was worsening until it was far too late. a 9-year old isn't going to be able to care for any pet without some kind of supervision and clearly they weren't involved at all if they kept letting her get in such bad shape before coming to you.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Thanks everyone. Apparently, I received an email from this boy, and he was grieving terribly.... asking if I had ever mad a mistake that cost the life of one of my geckos. I was so upset and angry about Comet that my husband responded to the email and I never saw it. He told him that he needed to talk to his parents about it, and not me. I really wasn't very happy that Glenn did this, but I was grief stricken myself after haring about Comet and losing one of my own geckos the very next day: http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=20577

I got another email from the boy, and we said he was ready for another gecko. He wanted to know if Comet's mother was 'pregnant' so he could have one of Comets siblings. This is the email I sent him in response:

Hello Christopher,

I'm glad you are feeling better now! It's VERY hard to lose something you love.

I saw that my husband responded to your last email... he did that because I was so sorry and sad about Comet, and I had one of my own geckos die the very next afternoon. I cried for 2 days, and that upset Glenn.

I want you to know that I did everything I knew how to do to help you and Comet, and I have never had a customer or gecko with as many problems as you had with Comet. I usually do not need to provide this much help and support. If we look back over all the problems and issues with Comet, as well as her tragic loss, I honestly feel that most of what happened to her was a result of improper care and husbandry. I know that you loved Comet, but mistakes were made. Accidents happen to everyone.

I love my geckos very much, and I would be worried and afraid if both of us had to go through this again. I really do not feel comfortable for you to have another one of my geckos. I'm sorry, and I hope you will understand...

 

[Sunshine State Exotics]

Marcia,

That was an excellent response!

 

[PacHerp]

wow, good for you Marcia... I do think that needed to be said. You worded that very well, and I know you thought long and hard about the way you wrote that email...

 

[shadowx362]

OMG!OMG!OMG!!!!!!!!! I really dont know whats wrong with these people! Well I have a neighbor who always wants to buy a gecko off of me, but I know him and he is irresponsible(leave their cats outside to get ran over by the neighbors). I am glad you told him what he needed to hear. I really cant imagine even a small kid thinking thats good to have a dried up gecko. Shame on the parents for being irresponsible over watching their child's pet! I am sorry about what you have to be going thought. No one deserves it, animal nor humans.
Hope your stresses in life get better.

 

[Isis]

Stunning stupidity and cruelty, even if these parents didn't intend it... I feel really sorry and sad after reading this ;( Let's hope most of the gecko owners do have right attitude and are more responsible...

 

[Mel&Keith]

That was so well spoken Marcia.

Since we're going through a similar drama with someone who has caused the geckos we sent to suffer, I can empathize. I feel so guilty for sending them to someone who cannot be responsible for their care. I guess no matter what, we can't ever be 100% sure that our babies are going to good homes. I think that's the hardest part about breeding.

I hope Comet's story will be a lesson, to everyone who is thinking about buying a gecko for themselves, their child, or even breeding their own geckos.

 

[Kristi23]

I think that was a very good response. I hope that the little boy and his parents learn from this. Unfortunately, they'll probably just buy another one for him from someone else.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I guess no matter what, we can't ever be 100% sure that our babies are going to good homes. I think that's the hardest part about breeding.

It certainly is one of the most difficult things I am dealing with at this time. There are no guarantees that the geckos you so carefully love and care for from eggs and watch grow will thrive in the hands of those who buy them.

Sometimes I wonder 'why' I even breed geckos at all, instead of just keeping them as beloved pets.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Sometimes I wonder 'why' I even breed geckos at all, instead of just keeping them as beloved pets.

Because most people DO give them loving homes!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Because most people DO give them loving homes!

You're right... sometimes I get discouraged and pessimistic. I need to focus more on all the GREAT gecko keepers!

I have followed the Comet story and am sorry about the outcome. I
have a little patternless that is just the sweetest thing in my enclosure. I have only had her about six weeks and she is fat and happy I was looking for a name for her I will name her Comet in tribute to your little one and as a reminder that life can be difficult for even the smallest of us. Each time I tell someone about my Comet your little one will pop in my head a private and solem thought just for us and a tiny prayer for the departed one. I will tell others how my Comet got her name. Comet's spirit lives on.

Kathleen, that is WONDERFUL! What a special legacy for Comet...

 

[Ultrakd]

Man that is horrible. I feel really sorry, it is not you fault either you didnt know when you sold him the gecko that this was how it was going to end. Maby a gecko might hatch that might help fill the place in your heart where Comet was.

 

[moosassah]

Marcia I don't know who to feel worse for, Comet or you. I truly believe that a little piece of you goes away every time you set one of your leos out on their adventures in new, unforgiving lands. The boy may not fully understand his role in Comet's life today, but as he grows older it will sink in. I believe the little boy will carry Comet's story with him for the rest of his life. A horribly tough lesson, but honestly it is NOT your fault.

 

[geckoboy16]

I am very sorry about Comet, but hopefully the boy and his parents will learn a lesson and RESEARCH before getting a new pet. RIP, Comet!

 

[malt_geckos]

THat's the parent's fault...and it pisses me off they made the kid euthanize the gecko. It killed me to euthanize my fish that way! I can't even imagine how awful the kid felt. He's only a kid and he needs proper guidence from his parents. They can't just ignore him and expect him to do everything perfect. Sounds to me like mom doesn't listen very well..

you did all you could do. I'm sorry to hear about her. It's very sad.

I would also never sell them one of my geckos...tell them if they want something to kill, get it from a petstore.

 

[Stitchex]

I find it disturbing that parents would force their kid to kill one of their "family members", as they said in the other post, and I really think you did the right thing though, not to let them have another Leo from you. That's just sick, what happened.....ugh.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I felt most sorry for Comet at first... but now her suffering is ended. Now, I feel deeply for the boy. He really did love Comet, and for him to have to put her in refrigerator breaks my heart! It almost kills me inside any time I have ever had to euthanize a gecko... I can't imagine how it must have been for this boy to have to do it for his own pet!

This whole situation has been needless and tragic. I only wish I had been more assertive about leaving them Comet here with me and giving the boy his money back. The bulk of the blame rests on the parent's shoulders, IMHO.

 

[phearamedusa]

It takes a very strong person to tell a child in a kind and loving way that what they want, is not what they are going to get. You did an excellent job, I think more people/parents need to do this with the kids today.
In another forum, a member rescued two geckos from a five year old. I will tell you, this one made me very angry, and worried about what kind of young adult this little monster would turn into. The parents had the same mentality as the ones you dealt with, "not my fault, we did the best we could" They allowed that child to chew off both geckos' tails and the front toes on one of the geckos. The geckos both had shedding problems caused by improper housing conditions. The Five year here didn't learn anything, because he was too young to understand the lesson, but the nine year old is old enough to understand what happened and why. While it was a very painful lesson, not only for him, but for you and Comet, he may have learned from it and be a much better handler of reptiles after this. I think you went above and beyond what a lot of other people would in trying to provide aid to the child, and to Comet. My Sympathies for the lose of Comet and the other gecko the next day.

 

[thegeckoguy]

Im so sorry to hear about your Comet. I dont know if i could go through that. I personally think its the parents fault. My parents would NEVER let this happen to one of my animals and they arent even animal people. While a nine year old doesnt know alot i think he could have probably done a little more on his part but the parents were obviously not really caring. I have 2 little sisters, a 5 and a 3 year old and they both love my animals alot and i think if they had some supervision theyd make great pet parents. They love helping me with my reptiles. Once again im very sorry about Comet but shes in a better place now and in no more pain.

 

[AndNothingHvrt]

I'm sorry for your loss. Poor Comet.

But, I also feel terrible for that boy. He seemed like he really loved that gecko. He's just a boy though...So the TOTAL blame lays on the parents. He clearly needed guidance in raising a pet at such a young age. He can't yet completely understand what's going on.

I'm glad you are never selling to them again. Hopefully he will continue his love for herps from afar for the moment. When he is much older hopefully he will have geckos of his own.