This month, March 2007, sadly the reptile community has lost two very special, well known and beloved pets when they passed away. Vega$, the Movie and TV star green iguana, owned by Des Wong of California died March 5, 2007 after a long illness and Tiny Tim/Tina an inland bearded dragon, owned by Dean & Melissa of Alabama, was lost this week suddenly. In the course of many years with reptiles, these two made such strong impressions on me and others, that even though they are no longer living among us, their memory will remain with not only me, but others that knew their stories and many of the rescue work they sparked through out this industry. They taught their owners and other they met what personality and caring was all about, they left a mark in the world that made it a better place for their kind and educated us.
VEGA$, the Green Iguana 1996-2007
Many of you will remember seeing Vega$ on TV when she and Des were interviewed by Pet Psychic Sonya Fitzpatrick on Animal Planet and she appeared in a photograph in TV GUIDE with her. Vega$ was also in a short movie and her photograph appeared in numerous publications of iguana care and helped promote iguana conservation and awareness. I cherish several Christmas cards with Vega$ on them and one remains near my computer each year.
Des, her owner has been active with the International Reptile Conservation Foundation and has traveled to many locations including the Grand Caymans to help with the Blue Iguana Recovery Program to preserve the endangered Grand Cayman Blue Iguana. I had the pleasure of getting to know and spend time with her the past several years in Daytona and also hear many entertaining stores of Vega$ through emails and during the Breeders Expos. Vega$ will be dearly missed, we were all fortunate to have shared a portion of her life and stories. She certainly had a strong impact on her species future wellbeing and leaves the world a little better place for her being here and others having known her.
TINY TIM: It takes a community to raise a bearded dragon 2003-2007
Tiny Tim started out as Tiny Tina until I noticed in a photo update sent to me later, that she/he had areas that females do not have, Once confirmed, Tina was renamed Tiny Tim and it fit him, as he lost a leg when just a hatchling. That injury, traveling across the country, surgery, recovery and then adoption is how a community of people became involved with a tiny bearded dragon. This dragon captured all our hearts with its determination to survive, be loved and overcame such terrible odds to find a happy and good life with a wonderful couple, Melissa and Dean in Alabama.
(please click on Read Full Story below-to read the rest)
I would first like to thank everyone for their emails and phone calls with information pertaining to the iguana abandonment case at the herp show this past
weekend. I greatly appreciate everyone taking the time to do so. This means the world to us.
Thankfully the iguana is doing extremely well now and treatment for the thermal burns is nicely underway. Fecals and bloodwork are going to be carried out
today as well so hopefully everything comes back clear.
I don't normally like to do this sort of thing but I simply cannot sit idly by when something this horrific and unjustifiable happens - especially at a reptile show. And even more when we actually had the Reptile Rescue, Canada display there. We hope that some of the forum members that were at the show witnessed anything or have any further information to share regarding this matter.
Yesterday a group of individuals were seen walking around the show with a 3.5ft light coloured iguana with them. Shortly thereafter, an individual came inside and approached us saying they spotted some people pitching this iguana over the fence behind the venue - into the bushes right by the rail track.
Note: This is one very sick indivual. ReptileRooms and Reptile Rescue, Canada, appreciates any and all help you can give in this matter!
