Well, we didn't adopt him.... we
rescued him.
First, the owner called and we arranged for me to come pick him up at her place. I got there, and a neighbor told me she just left. I was even on time! I called her cellphone which was turned off. So, I drove back home, pretty annoyed, and thinking even more about the poor thing, because my hunches were telling me that she's not responsible. Less than an hour later, her boyfriend called me, saying that they had to leave to take her to the hospital because she got hurt. (Wow, that's a quick hospital - I need to go there from now on.
) He asked if I wanted him to deliver him, so I said ok and gave him very detailed directions. Half an hour later, he called back, saying he returned home, because he "couldn't find our home", and asked if I would just meet him at a nearby store. I told him that tomorrow would be best, but then he insisted, saying they needed the money tonight for her new prescription that the hospital just gave to her. (Yeah, more like the bag o' reefer that was probably waiting for them on some street corner.) So, I agreed to meet him just up the street from our home. He arrived, and put it in the back of my car, and then thanked me and took off.
Here's what I discovered inside, once I brought him home:
Yes, that little stick figure is an extremely emaciated leopard gecko. (The white "stripe" down his side is actually loose skin because he can't fill it out.)
Here is what he should look like (colors do vary with each animal):
Link
I want to smack the old owners.
Ken came home and immediately left to get some small worms and crickets from the nearest pet shop, along with a liquid calcium supplement and a high-caloric liquid food, just in case.
Thankfully, he did eat 3 small worms almost right away, which I'm hoping will be a good sign. The poor little thing is SO skinny, and his head is so big. I also inspected the cage poo and could tell he's only been given water for quite some time.
Did I mention I really want to smack someone?????
I'll post photos of his (hopeful) progress. I also intend on sending her before and after photos, with a fairly nasty note.
Also - think of the Tiki gods, and help us come up with his name. This could be fun.
