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)
In 2003, Tina/Tim was hatched in Florida, shortly afterwards he was attacked by a sibling and suffered a severe leg injury. I was contacted about taking him, but at the time had 8 rescues with special needs that had just come in, so I contacted another friend, Veronica of Beautiful Dragons who also does rescue work to see if she could take him. She is very knowledgeable about bearded dragons and does much the same as I do; helping them get back their health, then finding them what we hope is the perfect home. By the time he arrived to Veronica in Washington State from Florida, he was very sick with the leg withering and had to have surgery. What at first was though to be a bad injury turned into an even worse one with the infection traveling up the bones of the legs and Tim lost the entire leg to save his life.
Through all of this and his recover, he never lost the will to keep going and remained a calm and wonderful dragon. He was an inspiration to us all of the strength that can be in these very special creatures that can overcome something so terrible with the help of caring individuals and people working together to give them a chance at a good life. Tim never let the fact he did not have a leg slow him down, stop him from climbing all over or interfere with him enjoying life to the fullest. Please check this link for Tiny Tina/Tim's full story and photos as a baby before the surgery, post surgery and going to his new home after a remarkable recovery.
Veronica wanted a special home for such a dragon and kept him for several months, knowing he was destined for something special and someone out there would be worthy of such a special dragon that much of the online community was following and cheering on. When he was a sub adult, that home that was so right was found with Melissa and Dean, so Tina was sent across the country again to the south close to where he started life, in Alabama for his permanent home. Tim had some wonderful years with them and it was always a joy to hear about him and see the castle that was his home which had been custom made. Like many animals that suffer bad injuries when so young, there was always the risk that meds and the surgery on one that young may have long term effects and I think that is what happened to Tim as he suffered some organ damage and passed away suddenly after the onset of symptoms the night before. There was nothing that could have been done to save him. He was taken for medical treatment and being transferred to more professional care several hours away, but he did not make it.
Although both these beloved pets, only lived a little more than ˝ the lifetime it was hoped they would, they both touched many live. They made a difference in the lifes of their species now and will continue to in the future, because of the animals they were and the owners that loved them. Vega$ and Tim, rest in peace, we wish you could have been here a little longer, but it was not meant to be …. you accomplished much in that short time to teach us all to use the skill we have and make a mark in this world… you allowed us to be better people for having known you.
