RIP

Henry, the Uromastyx lizard we have known and loved for only a few short weeks, has DIED!

I am done. I am completely drained by the experience of little pets keeling over dead. Today I will go so far as to say I hate all little pets, and the gripping fear that each time I look into their cage they will just be shockingly, suddenly, dead.

Go on ahead, think we have too much on our plates, think we probably shouldnt have gotten so many animals, imagine that we didnt take care of him. I have been told this before and I dont know what to think. Of course we cleaned him of course we fed and watered him of course we played with him and bought him little vitamins and a 20 dollar heatlamp and lava stones and special greens. just like all the other animals.

I like children and dogs and cats and bunnies, too. They seem very likely to be alive in the morning.

As far as fish tanks, little rodents, exotic reptiles and amphibians, praying mantises, pet worms, my pal the pillbug, and even precious, precious birds---my most beloved animal on Earth---I just cant flipping take it anymore.

I harden my heart to all of it.

I also will not be saying yes to anymore animals. I will be that mom who scruches up her face in the big pet store and says, "yeah, he's really cute, honey but noooooo way are we doing all that again",

and the child will think I am mean

and they will swear it wont happen again

and i will still say no

and they child wont understand

and we will leave with no new pet

and i wont have to have the fear and horror that is peering into the little cages to say goodmorning and seeing, you know, death.

Rest In Peace, cool Henry that was suppossed to live 15 to 20 years. I can't shake the feeling that we suck and did something very bad. But I really really don't know what. He was alive and silly last night.