The Newest Addition

Though we are to expect our largest new addition in November, today we embark on yet another new animal adventure. Living outside of the country has made our animal options quite limited. If it were up to me, my next addition would be a pygmy goat or a horse. But alas! It's not in the cards at this present time. It all started with two sibling cats seven years ago after my beloved ferret, Mace, died. A year later, when I was pregnant and super-hormonal, I took pity on a litter of three incredibly sick and pathetic looking tabby kittens whose mama died soon after they were born. Then our pack of cats inevitably became five (much to my mom's dismay who thought the kittens should be kicked back outside.) Have you ever bottle-raised a kitten? Yeah. Pretty much can't let go after that. We then got a bunny, which turned into two (sisters of course). Then, back in April, Mandy got Miss Abby a Hamster for her birthday who has been welcomed with open arms. Today, we venture out of the mammal kingdom. Today, Alex got his birthday present from mom and dad and it's none other than a leopard gecko.

After much research and deliberation on what kind of pet would be acceptable for a six-year old boy, it was decided that something from the lizard family would be best. Luckily, there is a nice reptile/creepy crawly things pet shop near by and one of the owners was awesome enough to give me the 411 on all things scaly and slimy. He led me to the decision that leopard geckos make awesome pets and that if we are fresh to the reptile world, then they are totally the way to start. I next took Alex into the store to show him what his options were because he so desperately wanted a pet of his own since Abby's hamster. He got to pick up the geckos and let them crawl all over him and next thing I knew, it was love. That was three months ago and I told him he could have one for his birthday so we could save up to get it. He's been pumped for it ever since.

Venturing into the reptile kingdom brings new things we aren't familiar with. So instead of shedding fur, it's shedding skin. Instead of dry food, it's live food (mmmm...meal-worms and crickets!). Cute and snuggly becomes cool and scaly. What a change! So without further ado, let me introduce you to the newest addition to our pets. Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to Jet, Alex's leopard gecko.

He's really pretty, but the flash of the camera makes it look like he's all white. He's got almost a rainbow look to him with lots of green.

Alex chose green sand which will eventually change his belly and feet green. It's harmless but kids think it's pretty cool according to the gecko guy.

He's super cool and we are glad to have him as a part of the family. Welcome home Jet! I hope you don't bite the crap out of me like Strawberry does frequently. If so, it could be a very long 10+ years. And P.S. No...this will not, under any circumstances, open up the option of snakes to our pet possibilities. Josh would divorce me for even mentioning it. :-)