A bit about Murph-proofing a room: This is likened to child-proofing, but for a curious lizard.
When I am about to spend time in a particular room of our home, for example, the kitchen, when I need to clean or rinse fruit and chop veggies, I block the kitchen exit so Lil’ Murph can explore and get exercise. When I am tending to matters on the computer, I shut a door and block another doorway.
Doing this involves a mental checklist:
- Have I Murph-proofed adequately? This means seeing there are no what-nots on the floor he may lick, block (with a picture frame or book, etc.) crevices he can wiggle into wherein I cannot retrieve him or where I would need to move large pieces of furniture (for fear of injuring him in the process) in order to get him.
- Scoop Murph up and out of his cage. Place his little bell under his chin poof and tie it loosely. This helps me to always have a general idea where he is. Where the jingling stops behind or beside me is where he has paused to ponder his next adventure!
- Keeping Murph in a room with me means keeping humans and brother Dog out. I tread lightly, I know he is walking around, I will not step on him or roll the chair onto him. I only trust myself with his safety at this time.
Seems as though I have covered all the bases, correct? No chance of anything happening… right?
Well, you see, when a lizard slowly climbs up the back side of a curtain, their bell does not jingle! So here I sit at the computer, and I hear: Scratch… scratch, scrape scratch, scrape scratch… scratch… thud!! My head raises in alert curiosity, then concern. I turn toward the afore mentioned ruckus. I have no visual on the Murphster! I flee to the scene of the thud in question. Murph is A.W.O.L. I begin frantically, yet gently, scooting a box and my boots! I swayed aside an unusually heavy curtain and saw this attached to it:
“Murphy!!?! You’re… well, why on Earth… What were you… ? Awww come here!
He’s like, “You know what, I think I’m okay with this. I’ll just chill for a bit, thusly!”
“Why do you assume I was not happy in my new-found position? Stop scooting me out!”
He keeps me busy!
… Tiny, alone most of the time, and in a dark room. When I visited the location where he used to live, I would check on him. Sometimes I fed him if I saw no evidence of a recent feeding. I poured him filtered water. As you can see, he was thirsty. Bearded Dragons, if given a good variety in their diets, get all the water they need from their food. Though one should always leave a supply of fresh water, a sight such as this is rare.
above: This is Lil’ Murph at his old residence, before he came to live with me and I became his Mommy/friend, human-type. I plucked him from his prison and showed him the outdoors that day. Look at how tiny he was!
