No more rescues....

[LeapinLizards]

About 2 weeks ago I picked up a little gecko in a terrible situation. Here is the link explaining that...
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=32895

Tonight I made the heartbreaking decision to let him go. I bawled my eyes out, and came to the conclusion that I just can't do rescues any more. I can't pick up these poor mistreated little geckos, and invest so much time and love, only to lose them. This is the second one (Baby Bell was the first). This little guy was completely overrun with parasites, and no amount of Panacur could help him...he had been through too much. I went in to check on him again tonight (I just couldn't give up) and the poor little guy was in his water dish, with eyes closed, barely moving. I knew that was the end.

So, RIP little Bold Stripe...I really did try.

 

[Pepper]

r.i.p

Just remember, you gave them a nice place to stay and a nice place to leave, it's better then them passing in the conditions they used to be in.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

Sorry to hear this happend, You did what you could and sometimes they just don't make it. You gave him a good chance and for that I hope your not hard on your self.

 

[rawson5084]

I'm sorry for your loss

 

[thestack510]

I'm sorry Heather. I understand how you feel. All you can do is try, and you gave it your best. That's the trouble with rescues, they need a lot of help to overcome what they've already been through, and sometimes it's just too much for them to rebound from.

 

[LizMarie]

So Sorry Heather. We know you tried your best.

 

[LZRDGRL]

I'm sorry! He was a beautiful little boy, and when you published the thread for the first time, I thought he doesn't look that sick at all, at least not like those crypto babies from pet stores.

Chrissy

 

[T&KBrouse]

Oh no. Heather, I am so soory.
I know how heartbreaking this must be for you. You did everything you could for him.

 

[LeapinLizards]

I'm sorry! He was a beautiful little boy, and when you published the thread for the first time, I thought he doesn't look that sick at all, at least not like those crypto babies from pet stores.

Chrissy

Yah Chrissy, I thought the same. My pet chain girl (Clark) I got and she looked MUCH sicker than this little guy. I don't know what kind of care he was in the couple days the family had him though, he wasn't on heat when I picked him up. He had NO food response at all...they would walk right in front of him and he would not even respond in the slightest. I took one of the only good fecal samples I had been able to get out of him (thank you Slurry!) to the vet, and he was terribly overrun with Pinworms I believe it was (I was so upset I didn't listen to anything but to how much Panacur to give him). Last night when I checked on him, all his organs had distended and he had made a HORRIBLE mess all over his tub. Poor thing couldn't even open his eyes. I knew then what I had to do. It was terrible...I cried for an hour, but I know I did what was right. I couldn't let him suffer.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Heather, I was going to call you today to see how this little one was doing... even though I was afraid of the answer. I am so very sorry you had to make the decision to end it's suffering, but you and I both know it was the most unselfish act of love you could do for it.

I completely understand not wanting to take in any more 'rescues'. Many years ago I used to take in every stray or unfortunate little gecko I came across... I was truly committed to helping them. I cannot even count the number of geckos that I spent hours of time, vet expenses, and even more emotional energy and tears on only to be heartbroken when they could not be saved. Not to mention, the risk I was putting my own colonies at with all the parasitic infections these rescues had.

It may sound harsh, but the best thing we can do to help these little ones is NOT to give the chain pets stores a dime of our money. If you must patronize one of these places, do not go anywhere near the reptile displays!

Heather, my heart goes out to you for being such a compassionate and loving gecko keeper. I'm sorry...

 

[LeapinLizards]

Definitely Marcia...you know I haven't given the chain stores a dime of my money since Clark. I just can't justify it. A rescue is not a rescue if you pay for it, IMO.

Last time we talked, I told you I had the little gecko in another room entirely. He was up on a shelf, on an old UTH I had, because I was so afraid of him being in the rack, and infecting my group somehow. I'm glad I was smart enough to do that...I do not know what I would do if I lost any of my others.

I have just decided to look ahead at the eggs and babies I'm expecting ANY day. Their bright little faces, staring (and screeching) up at me from the incubator is enough for me...

 

[rubym]

I am sorry for your loss. I know what a heart breaking experience rescues can be. I tell myself everytime I loose that I won't ever do it again...then the phone rings and it's the lady at the pet store telling me someone came in and dropped off another one ( she nor I would ever pay for them). I never have the heart to turn them away even though mine breaks when they don't recover. Please know that you did the very best that you could do. You gave him a chance that he didn't have in the other place. Bless you for that. Good luck with all your little babies that will emerge soon. Those little ones do help the healing process. Best wishes