Category Archives: Pets

Sunshine Sends Amy Off To School

Sunshine takes Amy to the bus stop to send her off to school.  A sendoff like that fills Amy with courage and hope to face the challenges of the school day.  Of course, Amy knows that Sunshine will be waiting to welcome her home from school and help her with her homework.  He’s especially good at math.

A “Happy You’re Home” Lick

Amy came to visit her Grandma and Grandpa this week.  Sunshine could not come conveniently on the plane, but Amy’s Dad drove him in his cage from Arizona to Utah several days later.  When Sunshine saw Amy, he waddled quickly over to Amy and–I kid you not–gave her hand a little lick, a lick normally reserved for catching cockroaches.  Though I cannot see emotion in this lizard’s features, without a doubt I saw him express enthusiastic and real affection for his human.

So Good To See You, Sunshine!

I was happy to see Sunshine in person on a short trip to visit Amy’s family.  And he seemed happy to see me, too, even if I do say so myself.  Sunshine ate shredded kale from my outstretched fingers, and clambered right up to a shoulder perch (above).  He’s still plenty spikey to pet, but so calm and gentle–and grown up!

An Essay on Reptiles

An Essay on Reptiles
by Amy, age 9

I am going to tell you my opinion about why you should own a reptile.  First, some reptiles are smart.  Reptiles that are smart could be a bearded dragon, a snake, and a lot of others.  Next, there are lots of reptiles you could choose from.  You could own a bearded dragon, any type of snake, a frog, or any other type of reptile.  Last, reptiles are very cute.  All of the reptiles in the whole world are cute.  I hope you like my opinion about reptiles.  I hope you learned something new, maybe you found a reptile you want, and maybe you even found a reptile you’ve never heard of.  I hope you have fun with your reptile if you ever get one.

Swim Team

Amy is a great swimmer, a veritable dolphin.  (When I swim with her, she sticks to me like a friendly octopus!)  Amy’s wonderful mom taxis her to and from swim team, where Amy has learned all the standard strokes: crawl, breast stroke, back stroke, and even butterfly.  Sunshine is mom’s junior cabbie, perched on her leg, helping her navigate Gilbert’s busy streets.  Of course, Amy and Sunshine are always glad to be reunited after swim team.

New Digs

Amy is remodeling Sunshine’s apartment.  Actually, this is his short-term rental, as it were, where Sunshine sometimes hangs out during the day while Amy does her homework.  Comfy quarters.  His main house is a large glass tank with a rope hammock and a heat lamp.  No crickets jumping around in there–Sunshine ate them all!

Baths and Books

Like I have told you before, Sunshine and Amy are inseparable.

Having enjoyed a hot bath, it’s time to chill on the couch in a hair-drying towel and read a book together.

Sunshine, not knowing how to read (yet), is content to listen and gaze off into imagination.

I think he is growing long and stout under all Amy’s pampering!

Beware the Dragon Witch!

Happy Halloween!!

Amy could not, of course, leave Sunshine out of Halloween, so she made him a costume hat.  Cute little Sunshine became the dreaded Dragon Witch.  Well, with a pink witch’s hat and a pink spider, Sunshine can’t be too scary.  Which is good, because Sunshine, although a thorny dragon lizard, is a gentle pleasant little beast.  So I think Amy has struck the perfect scary-cute balance, don’t you!

Happy Halloween!

What a View!

Normally scuttling around on the floor or table top, or warming in his rope hammock, Sunshine seemed to enjoyed the view of the world from the top of Amy’s head.  A little perspective makes all the difference.  But, hold on, Sunshine!

(Amy’s dog Coconut is pleased to have made her first cameo appearance on this blog.)

Spa Time!

Even a lizard enjoys a little spa time, and Amy sees that Sunshine does not go without.  Being a creature of the Australian Outback desert, a warm bath is in order, followed by time lounging under the sun lamp.  Isn’t his color gorgeous?  All I can say is, if I were a bearded dragon, I would want Amy to be my human.