My Prince Charming

Which characteristics are considered charming?

Well, good looks are a plus, but let’s see, maybe you consider a charming someone to be an individual who makes you smile simply by looking at you; one who relaxes or elates you in their presence; does comical things; someone who is witty; intelligent; or… fill in the blank. I suppose with that, it isn’t only humans that can charm us. Perhaps charm isn’t species specific. One of our blogger buddies used the word charm in reference to Murph, and as I thought about it, I determined that to be spot-on. His effects on me are obvious, but others see something too. After people are around him only a little while, it’s as if they’re drawn to him. They begin to speak to him, and people who never met a lizard are reaching out to hold him, a few of them admitting, “I never thought I’d like a lizard.”

One Thanksgiving gathering, I witnessed 4 family members rest him upon their chests, and he was putting every one of them into sleep. They struggled to keep their eyes open. Maybe it was turkey (I’m sorry, turkeys, I don’t cook you anymore) pasta, veggies, and crescents, but I know the truth. It was Murph – Zen lizard power. Pictures don’t convey the totality of character, but it’s obvious this silent cutie has a calming, magnetic energy.

There is masculine charm. I guess there’s feminine charm, and apparently, there is lizard charm. If you care as you get to know one (especially Murph) and hold one (especially Murph), you’ll “speak” lizard soon.😁 You will begin to see they express themselves with body language and in their eyes, on their otherwise expressionless faces. Can you see how much he loves love? Lizards love their humans who show them love, and they’ll prove it to you in their unique, individual ways.

So first, don’t judge me. 😁 People kiss their dogs, and I kiss my lizards. Lizards like cuddles and kisses. Secondly, if you can help a lizard by giving one a home, complaining of poor care/cruelty at a pet store, or research the proper care for one in your family (hopefully by visiting Lizardplanet.com > menu > care > lighting > enclosures), we hope you do. Know they are sentient beings with emotions. Have you ever seen sad-looking lizards, snakes, turtles, or any creature laying in cages looking like they are just waiting to die?

That my friends, is sorrow. They are understandably terribly depressed. That is not dumbness or relaxation. It is a form of realization that this may be it for their remainder of life on this Earth. They didn’t ask for it. They don’t deserve it, and they do not want to live that way – a life in a prison, which is exactly what it is. Worse than that, it’s solitary confinement, indefinitely!! Adding to that mental state: If they are not given proper meal variety, they can become dehydrated and malnourished. If they do not receive proper heat, lighting, and UVB bulbs changed every 6 months (part of the husbandry of their enclosures), they cannot metabolize nutrition properly. They are likely to get metabolic bone disease and suffer physically as well.

Makes me think of this segment of “Not To Touch The Earth” by The Doors:

~~Not to touch the earth
Not to see the sun
Nothing left to do, but
Run, run, run
Let’s run
Let’s run
House upon the hill
Moon is lying still
Shadows of the trees
Witnessing the wild breeze
C’mon baby run with me
Let’s run~~

… and they are denied freedom and experience of any kind.

They are smarter than they are capable of making obvious to the unobserving eye. There are too many people who get reptiles, then get bored of them, never form a bond, or can’t afford one after they get one, they become neglected with care, proper lighting, diet, exercise & attention. They end becoming items for sale on Craigslist and even, God forbid, just released outdoors to suffer and die when winter comes.

So, if you’d like to adopt a lizard or any reptile who needs a person to love them, or don’t know where to begin to care for a reptile, we are here to help guide you through the process. You can contact us HERE when you are ready to be charmed by these exotic beings who need special care to live and love to thrive.

I don’t like the way this Beardie is being handled, but I know the man has an important point to make here. More of a compassionate touch would be good, but this is one devastating effect on a sweet, neglected lizard. Please see what they go through, and it hurts:

If we can help save lives, spread knowledge, and give love to these animals, it is time well used… for all of us.

A LITTLE NOTE: THERE ARE ENOUGH HOMELESS REPTILES, CATS, DOGS, & MORE. FOR THOSE THAT ARE ALREADY HERE, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HOMES. THE MORE WE BUY FROM BREEDERS, THE MORE THEY WILL BREED. THE MORE WE BUY FROM PET STORES, THE MORE THEY WILL PURCHASE THE WILD- CAUGHT REPTILES, SPIDERS, & MORE. LET’S HALT THE BREEDING UNTIL A SPECIES NUMBERS NEED RESTORED (SHOULD THIS APPLY TO HUMANS AS WELL). ALL SHELTERS ARE AT OR BEYOND CAPACITY.

Give me Lizardry or give me Death!”

❤️ Dawn & Murph 🦎