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Post by SurvivorSteph on Mar 17, 2004 23:40:20 GMT -8
Saturday was a warm sunny day, so I got out a medium wire cage (not ideal for being outside, but it worked), put it up on saw horses, and let Gil enjoy the day. He really loved being out in the sunshine, and the neighbor kids enjoyed coming over to see him. On Sunday, we headed off to Target. He was such a good boy, he enjoyed riding in the cart and checking out all the new sights. As we walked around there were several kids that asked to pet him. Of course I sanitized their hands and Gil was the perfect iguana ambassador. After Target, we headed over to our local pet store, Pet Extreme, to get cat food and see the "babies." Well, thankfully there were NO iguanas for sale! Even though that's where I bought Gil, I really hope they stop selling igs. He was very interested in the water dragons until he realized they weren't igs. I think he wondered why there were three of them in the pool together. Then he spotted some beardies and was totally captivated. He was scratching at their glass and didn't want to be taken away from them. They were having an adopt-a-cat day, and I think Gil was looking for Essie. He also met a large red macaw (it was caged). After Pet Extreme, we headed to my godson's birthday party. At first I held him so he could get comfortable with the noise and all the people, then I took him over near the pool and let him down. He was really interested in the pool, but he didn't get in. He then proceeded to poop on the concrete by the pool! I was totally embarrassed!  But when you gotta go, you gotta go. We were at the party for about 3 hours, and Gil was mostly good. He took a walk around the pool, but kept heading to a particular corner of the yard that was unsafe. Why is it that they can always pick out that spot? I had purchased a plastic pet carrier so he'd have a safe place to go in case it was too much for him, but it turned out that I had to use it to give him a timeout. The little brat nipped me because I wouldn't let him go into that corner!  After a few minutes he was ready to come out and behave. When we got home he was pretty happy and spent the rest of the evening relaxing on his basking area. He's so much happier for having spent so much time in the sun. I can't wait until we move and he gets his big outdoor enclosure. |
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Post by Tesa on Mar 18, 2004 4:13:38 GMT -8
Just like a kid! angry with you for trying to keep them safe! screwy lizard! ;D They let you take him in to Target?!?!? I'd never get away with it here.  lmao@ looking for Essie! I'm glad you mentioned sanitizer! That's a must when iguanas are taken out in public. Many people are fascinated, in which case, the sanitizer serves two purposes. One being the obvious "clean your hands" and also simply to help drive home the point that these animals are not the typical housepet. Dom and Rex take care sheets with then when they go out. I'm going to try to follow that example myself this year. (it's just hard to have a hand free for that when I'm trying to corral 3 kids and a lizard)  Sounds like over all you and Gil had a wonderful day. I'm anxious for our weather to get warm enough for outings!! |
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Post by dominick on Mar 18, 2004 7:06:33 GMT -8
Hi Steph-
What a nice outing for you and Gil! I too am surprised that you were able to take him into Target. Not sure they would allow that in NJ.
As Tesa mentioned, I'm an Ig-education nut and if folks want to interact with Rex in any way, they have to accept the GIS pamphlets I keep handy.
Tesa- If my kids are there they carry the handouts. LOL Dominick is responsible for the "salmonella" speech and Joseph is responsible for the "only vegetables" speech. Folks are amazed at how much my boys know about Iguana care. ;D
Anytime an Iguana is in public is an opportunity to further educate people and especially kids. The worse thing that could happen is a kid convince the parents to get a cute baby Ig that ends up being a throwaway because they interacted with Rex.
On another note, I have a close relationship with the pet store where I purchased Rex 5 years ago. He's sort of a star there because the owner is delighted how big and healthy he is. He says most who bought Igs there just complain to him that the Ig died or is sick. He and I have worked diligently to educate the public on Iguana care. He removed the saleable Igs from the floor and replaced the viv with a huge enclosure containing one of his "throwback" Igs that someone just left outside the shop door. The enclosure had signs all over it to deter folks from wanting an Iguana.
Last week we went for the usual visit and the entire enclosure was gone! I spoke with the owner who said he can no longer sell Iguanas with a clear conscience ;D, he he he. I listened as a customer inquired about Iguanas and the floor guy said, "we don't sell them anymore". Customer "why?". Floor guy: "they don't make good pets, perhaps I could interest you in......" Customer: "I had an Ig for years and now I'd really like another one". Floor guy: "Here's a pamphlet for an adoption site, it's better to adopt than purchase". WOOOOHOOOOO! I was just blown over.
So, the education of the public continues......
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Post by prism_wolf on Mar 18, 2004 11:36:29 GMT -8
Way to go everyone! What a great bunch of ambassadors!! I usually have hand sanitizer with me too...not always, but certainly when I KNOW i'm going to be showing Zair. I have a "fair exhibit" board with facts and stuff...but the best fun I have is just roaming in public. I can't get away with going into stores here either. I did take Zair into the Dr's office for a visit one day when I had to get my allergy shots. He was a HUGE hit with everyone from "most" patients (even those that wouldn't come near him had questions), the receptionists, the docs and nurses...except for the pediatrician. It was the pediatrician that put the ban on animals coming into the clinic after that...  I guess Zair wasn't the first animal to come in, but he was the first iguana to ever grace the hallways. And one of the nurses used the pediatrician's baby scale to weigh him...  ...bad judgement on my part, but I had been wanting to weigh him for months and here was my chance. You can bet THAT scale was disinfected well...hehe. The weather's getting warmer and I can see some ambassador time in the near future!! I have just printed out 20 of those GIS pamphlets myself about a month ago. They will come in handy... |
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Mar 19, 2004 0:19:41 GMT -8
I'd like a link to the pamphlets. I hadn't even thought about that. I always tell parents and kids that igs are VERY difficult to care for and VERY costly. I'd be much better armed if I had some pamphlets. As far as taking him to Target, I just stroll right in like I own the place. I get employees looking at us, but no one has ever said anything. If they did, I'd just "play dumb," or tell them he's my "seeing eye iguana." Service pets are allowed, you know!  I've been trying to figure out how to graciously talk to the owner of my local pet store, but I'm so darn blunt I'm afraid I'd just turn him off. Any suggestions? Dom, your situation worked out well because the owner came to the conclusion on his own (with a bit of help). |
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Post by dominick on Mar 19, 2004 15:26:39 GMT -8
Hi Steph- Here's the link: www.greenigsociety.org/handouts.htmI was lucky since we had a "relationship" with the owner in that we purchased Rex there 5 years ago. He became disgusted by all the people blaming him for illness and dropping sick Igs off at his door. In terms of my local Petco, I started a friendly conversation with the Manager, told her about my work with Iguanas, discussed how they were kept, visit most weekends to bring the few Igs they have some "salad" and offered to leave info brochures for new owners so they have a site to go to and ask questions. Being a reptile lover herself, she was very cooperative. However, they are governed by their coporate office and can't change much. What she does do is keep the Ig inventory to only 2 or 3, way down from 10-15 the previous Manager kept. Try to develop a FRIENDLY relationship and offer any advise or help you can. A lot of times the Managers are unaware of poor husbandry and welcome some advise. Also, offer (as I did) sign to hang around the Ig cage advising and warning of specific care requirements for Iguanas. If the Manager is receptive to this, it's a step in the right direction. Good luck, never stop educating! |
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Mar 19, 2004 19:50:38 GMT -8
Thanks so much for the advice and link! That's also a great idea to take some veggies in for them.
You're so wonderful! ;D
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Tammy
Senior
I scream, U scream, we all scream for ice cream
Posts: 104
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Post by Tammy on Mar 20, 2004 18:36:23 GMT -8
Sounds like you had a great time. Not only does Rex love to go in the car, he is also better to take shopping than the kids. Another of Rex's favorite things to do is go to fairs where he can get down and walk around. He now gets real calm when I pull out the leash and let's me put it on with no problem. When he was younger it was a wrestling match (I always won). ;D When he is out in public he never flares his dewlap or attempts to whip anyone. He's such a good boy.
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Mar 22, 2004 20:47:38 GMT -8
Gil's a good boy in public too. Thankfully he only gets pissy (can I say that here?) with me.
Tammy, which type of leash do you guys use on Rex?
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Post by dominick on Mar 23, 2004 2:45:13 GMT -8
Hi Steph- We use(d) a harness type leash for Rex. It was long before I had ever heard of the "Rear-leg Leash", so popular today. Unfortunately, the harness permanently damaged three of his spikes.  And I caution folks about that all the time. Nowadays, Rex doesn't usually get leashed unless we are somewhere like a Picnic or Soccer Game and we want to just let him walk around. Otherwise, he's either held or "treed" and we just keep an eye on him. |
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Mar 23, 2004 22:27:47 GMT -8
oic. I used one on Gil when he was young  Like THAT was gonna work! He really didn't like it, so I just started carrying him. He's bigger and really wants DOWN now, so it's time to check my options. Thanks for your reply! |
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Post by dominick on Mar 24, 2004 7:24:28 GMT -8
LMAO Steph!
We started out the exact same way with Rex.
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But when you gotta go, you gotta go. We were at the party for about 3 hours, and Gil was mostly good. He took a walk around the pool, but kept heading to a particular corner of the yard that was unsafe. Why is it that they can always pick out that spot? I had purchased a plastic pet carrier so he'd have a safe place to go in case it was too much for him, but it turned out that I had to use it to give him a timeout. The little brat nipped me because I wouldn't let him go into that corner! 
After a few minutes he was ready to come out and behave. When we got home he was pretty happy and spent the rest of the evening relaxing on his basking area.
...bad judgement on my part, but I had been wanting to weigh him for months and here was my chance. You can bet THAT scale was disinfected well...hehe.
And I caution folks about that all the time.