Don’t Go Under The Car!!

My bearded dragon is the most determined lizard I’ve ever encountered. My other bearded dragon was the other most determined lizard I’ve ever encountered. Am I just blessed to be with headstrong lizards? I’ve had a glorious green iguana and salamanders with strong wills as well. I love them and hope they forgive me for not giving them the best lives in my youth and ignorance.

I love free will, rebelliousness, and determination (in preferred circumstances). Lil’ Murph has it. When he doesn’t get his way at that very moment (or within 10 seconds that he is denied his decision), he pouts. Not because he’s being a big baby, but because he knows he is a being in this world too. It seems to him others do as they wish, so what the hell?!

If he wants spa time and I try to take him out before he is ready, he pushes his molecules down into the sink. If I pick him up when he’s comfy, he does the “wiggle squiggle” to say, “Nope, comfy here. Leave me be.” If I’m holding him outside and he squirms to get down in the wrong spot and 15 seconds later, I show him he can get down now… he shuts down. He is like liquid lizard, and I have to pour him from my hand onto the grass. Then he lays there pouting until he finds an interesting reason to be where I placed him.

Another thing he does is get hellbent on going somewhere. For example: I’m speaking to the neighbor outside and  Murph decided he wanted to crawl under a certain bush. I pick him up and place him further from it. Getting him out won’t be easy,  and what’s in there, a spider, a snake?    

A moment later, and he’s eyeballing that bush again. There he goes. I pick him up and place him further away and facing the opposite direction. He looks okay with this… oh, but, no no no. He’s pretending. He takes a few steps away, but then looks back at that bush.

“Murphy, I’m watching you.” That look in the one eye that I can see is getting serious. “Murphy, don’t do it.”   He pauses. It’s easy to speak way longer than expected to the neighbors, but it happens so often that one can almost expect it.😅

He chills for a while. But I’m distracted… off he goes!!! Okay, Love, let’s scoot way down the way here, you adorable booger. Does that work? Certainly not, not if his intention is in sight!! I’ve had to leave areas entirely due to his determination!! Love that.

Here is Murph determined to go under my dad’s Cutlass. Dad is gone now. I don’t think I will ever stop calling it his car.

I had to get Murph away from it five times before I just relocated the both of us!!

Now, I sound like a dork in this video because I’ve been sick, which really ticks me off because I only get sick once every 3 to 5 years. And this is the second time this winter. But I’m getting better.

Watch Murph plotting this. It was on his mind the entire time you’re looking at him. This is the 5th time I’ve moved him and discussed why with him. 😆

Love lizards.  Beautiful, stubborn angels.

“Give me Lizardry or give me Death!” – ❤️Murph & Dawn