Sunshine is a lizard of many hats, not to mention talents, personality traits, and hobbies. Here, he is helping Amy celebrate her 11th birthday. Happy Birthday Amy!
Many Hats
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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!
Blue Top Hat
Every Bearded Dragon needs a stove pipe top hat. Don’t you think? And yellow and blue make such a nice and natural color combination. Way to sport it, Sunshine! Should we call Amy a Mad Hatter? No! Let’s try on “Amy the Handy Haberdasher”!
Comfort in Convalescence
Amy has been sick and home from school. A heating pad helped calm and comfort her tummy. And Sunshine was happy to hang out on that heat, adding his comforting presence to her convalescence.
Sick Day with Sunshine
When Amy was sick and had to stay home from school, Sunshine kept her company: a quiet, steady, nonjudgmental, comforting (dare I say, loving?) friend. Sunshine helped her through it.
Sunshine: Santa’s New Elf
Amy heard Santa needed more elves to get ready for Christmas 2022. So, with a little help from Amy, Sunshine is ready to be a new Santa elf. But don’t expect him to move to the North Pole any time soon. Sunshine is an Outback desert dweller and needs his sunlamp!
BFF
Sunshine is two years old already. He and Amy quickly became BFFs: best friends forever. So glad Amy found her Sunshine.
PS. Such cute little toesies!
Running Late for School!
Amy and Sunshine both need their early-morning before-school cuddle time.
Which means Amy is sometimes running late for school!
Sunshine Goes to Swim Team
Amy took Sunshine along to swim team today. She was so proud, and he was a hit with the team!
Planting a Flower Garden
Sunshine helped Amy plant the fall flower garden. The late-September daytime temperature has hovered at around 90 degrees. The plants will thrive in the warm weather winter. Thanks for your help, Sunshine.
Breakfast Burrito
Amy brought Sunshine to breakfast this morning. She suddenly laughed, observing, He’s wrapped up like a burrito! But she quickly added that she had brought Sunshine to breakfast, not for breakfast.
Roommate for Sunshine
Amy decided Sunshine needed a roommate. Meet Little Dino. So far, neither has torn the other limb from limb: they’re off to a good start. I am thinking they will be fast friends, despite the occasional misunderstanding.
A New Sheriff in Town
There’s a new sheriff in town!
Get along little beardies!
All Grown Up
Sunshine is all grown up. Look how little this bearded dragon was as a baby, and how plump and beautiful he is today. Amy has grown tall and beautiful, too!
Then:
Now:
Pretty in Pink
Sunshine is so pretty in pink. All that color! I just know he’s smiling under that thorny exterior.
One Last Snuggle
Amy is all dressed up and ready to go to church.
One last snuggle with Sunshine before leaving.
I Love Soft Things
Dear Amy. I know I am thorny and spiny, but you love me anyway. You make me soft pink things. I love my new pillow and blanket–they are perfect! Thank you! Je t’adore! Love, Sunshine.
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.
Just a Girl Who Loves Bearded Dragons!
Amy is “Just a Girl Who Loves Bearded Dragons”!
What’s not to love?!
Hi Sunshine!
Ahhhhh!
After that wonderful bath, my new pillow and comforter feel divine. Thanks for sewing them for me, Amy. You’re the best.
Heaven
My name is Sunshine. Amy is my human. I am a Bearded Dragon from the scorching Outback desert. And let me tell you: this is heaven!
Home from School
Sunshine welcomes Amy home every day after school. He must miss her while she’s away, because he seems pleased when she comes home. Maybe it’s partly because he knows his afternoon cockroach snack is only moments away.
Happy New Year, Sunshine!
Sunshine is all wrapped up and snuggly and safely tucked for Amy’s New Year’s Eve celebration, which involves beating pots and pans with wood spoons and ooohing at fireworks and playing games and munching treats. I hope Sunshine doesn’t mind the racket!
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!
I Love You, Sunshine
Amy loves to love and pamper Sunshine. He is so calm and gentle and patient. And Amy takes such good care of him.
“I love you, Sunshine.”
Helping with Homework
Thank you, Sunshine, for helping me with my homework!
I love you!
(I’m so glad you’re so cute and so smart!)
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!
Rubber Ducky
Sunshine is enjoying a warm bath with his new bath buddy. Ducky was a little worried at first to be swimming with a thorny-headed bearded dragon. But now they get along famously.
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!
Hammock Time!
Fall evenings in Arizona are still hot! But not too hot to lie in a hammock in the shade. Amy made Sunshine his own little felt hammock, and together the two friends rock away: singing, telling stories, and just thinking about life.
Sunday Stories with Sunshine
Sunshine is always up for Sunday Story Time.
And Amy loves to read.
The more books the better.
Hey Sunshine, Do You Want to Play Legos?
Legos seem to be a favorite toy for children . . . and bearded dragons. At least that’s how it is for Amy and Sunshine. It’s always a good time to dump out the Lego bin and get to creating something fun, imaginative, and . . . lizardy.
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.)
Leap Frog!
Amy and Sunshine like playing Leap Frog (or is it Leap Lizard). And, when they’re tired of jumping over each other, they take a stroll through the house. Sunshine is keeping a sharp eye out for enemies and obstacles. Good dragon.
Sunshine Story Time
When Amy reads , Sunshine is all in, especially when the book is about his reptile cousins.
They are both enjoying Lyle, Lyle the Crocodile.
Good Night Sunshine
Understand that Sunshine is not soft–he is spiky and prickly! But Amy knows he is also sweet, and has a soft heart and gentle disposition. And nothing beats a warm-hearted friend to snuggle with at bed time. Good night Sunshine. Keep each other safe and snug.
Piano Lessons
Whereas Sunshine may be Amy’s art instructor (see Bearded Dragon Mermaids), Amy is Sunshine’s piano teacher. They make a good pair, don’t you think?!
Bearded Dragon Mermaids
I learned recently that Sunshine is Amy’s occasional art instructor. Today’s lesson was in the animal fantasy genre, with the specific subject of bearded dragon mermaids. They look so friendly and peaceful. Hmm, any resemblance to the instructor? Of course!
Rock-A-Bye Sunshine
Amy helped Sunshine find a comfortable place to rest, on a crescent moon. They seem made for each other. Rock-A-Bye Sunshine, on a moon rise. When Amy blows, the crescent will rock.
Sunshine and Skater
This little skater girl is ready for a ride, pulled by Sunshine in his custom harness. Now, if we could just get Sunshine to move….
Amy shows no end to her creativity when it comes to her bestie Sunshine.
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.
Lizard Labyrinth
Amy knows Sunshine is smarter than he lets on. She made him a magnetic block maze and trained him to navigate through it. Here is Sunshine exiting his lizard’s labyrinth with victorious speed. I wonder what Amy will think of next?
Lizard Bling!
Amy decided her Bearded Dragon could use some spa time. So, she gave Sunshine a manicure (or it is pedicure?), including painted fingernails/toenails. Excellent color choice, Amy. A red-jeweled bracelet provided the final touch.
Rabbit Lane 