Blog #7

My lizard Sheila

A few weeks ago, my mom and step dad surprised me by getting me a bearded dragon baby. I have always loved reptiles, and I had another bearded dragon that died last year, so when I saw Sheila, I was thrilled. We have an empty reptile cage in our apartment. I got to her house 2 weeks ago on Friday and I saw that there was sand, rocks, and decorations in the cage. I was looking around, and saw nothing, then I saw her. A little baby bearded dragon about 3-4 inches long, laying on a stick. 

 I was so happy. I asked my mom when she got it. She said "A few weeks ago. It has been so hard keeping it a secret from you!" I thanked her so much. She knew that I wanted another lizard. When my brother and sister saw her, they weren't as excited as I was. My mom said she knew that I would be the most excited, and that she was happy I liked her. I asked if it was a boy or a girl, and she said a girl. My last bearded dragon was a boy, so I didn't know if this baby girl was nice or not. I asked her name and my mom said Sheila. They picked the name Sheila because it is an Australian name, and bearded dragons come from Australia. I was so excited to hold her for the first time! 

 My mom and step dad said that she has to be held as much as possible so that we get her used to humans. I opened the cover to the cage and put in my hand. I was not expecting her to try and bite me! Sheila opened her mouth very big and I could tell she was scared. I was trying to make her calm down by talking to her, but that didn't work. My mom said that I had to pick her up quickly, so I reached for her and she bit me. It didn't hurt because she has tiny little teeth, but it scared me so bad that I accidentally jumped back and flung her off. I felt very bad because I thought I hurt her, but realized that she was even more mad. My step dad got her for me a few minutes later and put her on my chest. After that, she became so sweet towards me. 

 I haven't gotten Sheila out of her cage since then because she still acts like she is going to bite me. I always have someone else get her, but once I have her in my hands she is so cute and nice. I always put her on my chest. I start to pet her head, and within a few minutes she closes her eyes and falls asleep. It is the cutest thing! She loves to be held now, and I try to hold her as much as possible. Last weekend I was holding her and she was on my chest. She started moving into my sweatshirt and curled up in a little ball by my shoulder. I know that she likes me and I think its because I love animals and I am good at interacting with them. I want to be  veterinarian when I am older. 

 One of the most entertaining thing that Sheila does is eat. We get her little crickets from Pet Smart, and she absolutely loves them. She is so small, and it is so funny to watch her eat tons of crickets. She is so unbelievably fast! She will be watching a cricket, and then she just runs and gets it like lightning. Once, when she went to get one she did a flip! It is crazy to watch her "hunt". After she eats the crickets she gets very chubby. I told my mom that she got so fat after eating and she said "She's not fat, she's fluffy!" It was very funny. Sheila is very entertaining and I love her. 

All in all, I am so glad that my mom and step dad got us a baby bearded dragon. I am so happy that she is a baby because now she will know and remember me very well. She will also get to have a good and long life with us. I am excited to be able to keep interacting with her every time I go to my mom's house. I will be going to my mom's house for spring break, and I am planning on holding Sheila a lot. I am so thankful for my mom and step dad. They knew I wanted another bearded dragon, and they got one. I love Sheila and I think she is a great pet.