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About Tracie Kretzschmar
Expertise
I can answer questions pertaining to health, UVB specifics, overall husbandry care & supplementation, analysis of blood test results, and behavioral problems & handling. I can answer questions pertaining to bearded dragons, leopard geckos, iguanas, uromastyx & ball pythons. I can answer adeno virus related questions in bearded dragons, & then specifically about the testing methods as well. I am beginning an Pogona Adeno Testing Society in 2008 which will help to begin to start some standardization within the bearded dragon colonies of the breeders who choose to test.

Experience
I have been working with bearded dragons for over 5 years now, as well as leopard geckos, too. I am currently doing rescues, as well. I hope to be able to educate people prior to them purchasing an exotic pet in order to avoid any health crisis with them.

Education/Credentials
I have a master's degree in sports medicine & physiology, & 1 year of vet tech schooling, & am currently working on a reptile certification through the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Reptiles > bearded dragon

Reptiles - bearded dragon

Expert: Tracie Kretzschmar - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: hi, yesterday i got a bearded dragon. We had already ordered a 4 foot vivarium which comes with lights, heating mats etc. when we went to the pet shop we chose a bearded dragon and my dad got me some things to put in it. He paid for everything, and i'm the one that wanted one. When we got home my dad set everything up for me and thats when i realised that i didnt want a bearded dragon. I had been begging my parents for one and i had read lots about them and i thought i was ready but then i realised that i have to feed them, clean their cage, bath them and give them lots of love and i am still in year9 so i wont be with it alot. I realisee that i realy didnt want it, i HATED giving it live food and i know you can get dead crickets but they cost alot, i didnt like the way it felt on my hand, i didnt like the way the vivarium looked. It is realy friendly and loves to be handled. I have 2 dogs and one cat already that i love and the cat is my own cat and i pay lots of attention to her. I just feel that im more of a dog and cat person. I feel so guilty about not wanting it, i only got it yesterday. I woke up in the middle of the night being worried about what my dad would say when i told him. I have tried to see if i felt better overnight but i dont. Have you got any advice about how i can tell my dad i realy dont want it and i dont deserve it, someone that will spend alot of time with it and love it should deserve it. Sorry its a long letter but i realy need help. THANKYOU! jodie

ANSWER: Hello Jodie,

Sorry that you feel that way, that is too bad. I don't really have any advice for talking to your dad & there is no easy way really to tell him. You will just have to tell him. He can probably get his money back I would presume anyway. Hopefully he will understand.
Do try to take him back to the petstore as soon as you can though, so someone else can take him in who is willing to spend the time needed for him.
Maybe one day you will feel differently, they really are amazing creatures.
The only thing I can suggest is to tell him as soon as possible & don't put it off. Who knows, maybe your dad will want him perhaps?

Good luck.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi tracie, thanks for being so supportive unlike joe zarnick who was not supportive at all and i found him quite rude! but i just want to say i took your advice and told my dad how i felt and he said he doesnt want to get ride of it because we spent so much money, and he said he will feed it so im quite happy and im beggining to quite like it! thank you for your support tracie! jodie

Answer
Hello Jodie,

You are welcome.
Really, so he is now your dad's pet? You know, that is good though, it will give your dad something to do. He didn't want to give him back or get his money back on the tank, etc? If he has any questions, let me know, regarding the tank setup, & everything else.
The most important thing is that you are honest with yourself, because if you aren't you are more unhappy than you would be if you were honest. You definitely don't want to resent him.
You are young, & things may change as you get older, too. I would rather see you ask for help & to be honest with your dad, than simply neglect him.

Good luck! You may end up falling in love with him one day! :-))

Tracie

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