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

[DLS Reptile]

Marcia, I had a similar incident like this a few years ago. I sold a gecko to my cousin for her 10 year old boy. Now these people are very well off make alot of money and have pets. They breed bulldogs and are very successful at it. I gave them a care sheet with all the information they would ever need And even set the cage up with all the proper heat moist hide mealy dish and water dish,calcium etc.. I even started them on the mealworm gutload that I use. Their boy seemed very excited so I thought thats great, the gecko is going to a good home. Well about a month goes by and I get a call saying the gecko was not shedding right and he has some shed stuck to his head. I then drove to my cousins house to look at the gecko. what I saw was devastating. This gecko not only had stuck shed on its head, but multiple stuck sheds. The front and back limbs were extremely bent due to metabolic bone disease. Well not to put it lightly, I WAS PISSED!!! I took the gecko home to try to rehabilitate it but it was to late. After several soaks and trying to remove the shed by hand I could clearly see the gecko was not doing well and was not moving very much, its quality of life was very poor. I had no choice but to put the gecko down. This bothered me for a long time. But in this case, like you said, who do you blame. A 10 year old boy, or 2 grownups who should have known better. Well it has been 2 years now and I still do not talk to my cousin very much due to this incident. I know exactly how you feel.

 

[Halley]

Wow, these stories are horrible. I just really hope these stories are not the rule, and that great gecko owners are.

 

[LadyGecko]

Marcia-I have read this thread a few times and I actually thought that I had replied to it

I am so very sorry for Comet and for what you went through
I feel very sorry for that poor little boy

Comet is at peace and you must let your heart heal and go on with the incredible love and caring that you have for each and everyone of your Geckos

All my best thoughts to you

Sandy

 

[Eriathiel]

I have not been around much lately so I just got caught up on Comet's story and the horrible ordeal that you had to go through.

First off - I think that the parents were 100% responsible for the condition that the gecko ended up in. Yes, accidents happen - even geckos with humid hides sometimes have a stuck piece of shed. However they should have monitored the boy and his pet - I believe he loved Comet but he had no idea as to what he was doing.

Secondly - Good for you for doing all that you did for the family. Also - telling him he can't have another of your geckos was the right choice. Hopefully this will make him and his family think about what they have done.

I hope you feel better soon.

 

[leolover2]

Im sorry for your loss. I would be stricken with grief to. Ill keep you and Comet in my thoughts.

 

[rubym]

Marcia, I have been away from the group for awhile due to a broken computer. I am soooo very sorry to hear about poor little comet. I am sorry that you had to go through this. Comet is in a better place and you did EVERYTHING that you could do to try and help these people. I am sorry but the entire blema rests on the shoulders of those parents. I am a 40 year old and to tell you the truth I do not think that I could pit one of my babies in a bag and place that bag in the refridge....even knowing that it was for the best! I cannot imagine what type of a person could make a little boy do it. I realize that lessons have to be learned in life but this child really isn't much more then a baby. Life is hard and it can be ugly but a child learns that lesson soon enough. If anyone should loose sleep over this it really should be mom and dad!!!!!!! You are one of the most helpful people. I think you breed geckos because you love them and you provide alot of us with beautiful animals. Don't let the STUPIDITY and cruelty of a few ruin it for you. We can only hope that these people learned a lesson.....of some sort. HUGS!!!!!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Thanks, everyone. In my wildest dreams I could not imageine what Comet had to endure, and even more than that, I cannot imagine making one of my kids or grandkids put down their beloved pet! My heart aches for this child.

 

[jenlloyd]

I am new to the Gecko forums and a relatively new Gecko keeper. I knew it was a great responsibility (as is taking on any other pet) so despite knowing a bit about them myself, I still made sure I did several hours of research.

It sickens me so much to learn that there are people out there who will knowingly allow an animal to suffer, and even their child because I'm sure the boy could see Comet was suffering. And ignorance is not an excuse. When you take on any kind of animal, they are a life to be respected and cared for properly.

This thread has brought me to tears, I can barely see the screen. As said by so many others, Marcia, you did everything in your power to help and it is not your fault at all.

Best wishes and love to you and to Comet

 

[ferretlov]

oh my god- thats the most horrible thing I have heard in a loong time. poor babby.