Since childhood I have admired wild animals, particularly fish and reptiles. I enjoyed the process of designing terrariums and aquariums that reflected their natural habitat. I've owned Green Iguanas, Day Geckos, Dart Frogs, and several south American Cichlid fish species. Watching and admiring these animals served endless hours of curiosity. However, I have never been attached to a cold blooded animal until I got my first bearded dragon. I got my bearded dragon five years ago at the North American Reptiles Breeders Conference which was held in Anaheim. He was a red x yellow sandfire cross, which is a captive bred variety known for vibrant colors. He was merely the size of my palm from nose to tail when I first got him.
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| Even when he was young, he would look at me with human-like curiosity. It is hard to remember that he was this small. |
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| In his youth he had unlimited energy. He ran back and forth and followed me as I would walk by. In many ways, he was more like a dog than a lizard. | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Master Chief in his adult form. Erika called him that because of his quite but strong attitude. He feared nothing. Even my cat feared him ever since he tail whipped her in the face. |
As an adult dragon, I would let him roam free in my home. Often times, I would find him basking in the sunlight between my screen door and the shutters. He would even climb to the highest point of the screen and hug it like the bark of a tree. The Chief would love jumping up on the couch to climb up my back and perch on my shoulder. He would ride on my shoulder just about anywhere I went. Those moments will be missed. If there is anything that I have learned from fly fishing, it is the respect for wild animals and their wild habitats. Wild animals should stay wild and condoning a domestic life for these animals are no longer of my interest. Goodbye old friend, you lived a strong five years.
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| May your spirit live on in the wilds of the Australian outback. |
