Fiji Almost Made It Off The Island

Josh walked into his room to find his lizard struggling for air. And possibly it's life. He (she?) was stuck under the screen top of the tank. By his neck. Now I'm here to tell you that the lizard we own we own did not get into this predicament himself. I know this because there are two fairly heavy (for a lizard) lamps on top of the screen and it couldn't lift them. And it was heading into the tank, not out of it. And it was upside down.

But nevertheless, there it was. It's head inside the tank and it's body outside the tank, with it's blackened and puffed throat declaring to all the world that it was terrified out of it's wits. I have suspicions on who might have been responsible for this. Although I'm not positive.

My first hunch was Micah, and this is scary. Mostly because one of the lamps is extremely hot and he could easily burn himself. Or catch fire to whatever he'd knock it off onto. And then, of course, he could kill Fiji.

But just when I was absolutely positive that I thought I suspected who the culprit most likely could have been, I was thrown a new piece of evidence. As Luke came downstairs to finish his homework (everyone went to witness the near-tragedy) he began to cry. "What if the lizard dies? Will Josh get another Easter present?" I know the kid is tender hearted, but I fear his conscience may be bothering him. And if it was he that did the dirty deed, I can bet he won't be doing anything of the sort again. And I also do not think for one minute that it was ill-intentioned. He probably realized the lamp was hot, couldn't get him in quickly enough, or something.

Poor Fiji. It took him a long time to calm down over that. And now he watches closely when anyone under 4' walks into the room. Burgh was so smug in pointing out that we could be saddled with this lizard for 10 years. The sad fact is that he lives in our house and may never live to see 2009. I think Josh will be locking his door from here on out. For the safety of everyone involved.

22 comments:

jessica said...

props to you for having a lizard in your house in the first place!

Flea said...

Poor Fiji! Our lizard lasted about two months. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hope Fiji makes it !
Guess that's why im glad my kitties are both over 18 pounds each... all the 'love' Ava gives them... sheesh..

Burgh Baby said...

Poor Fiji. Just when he thought he had made it to utopia with a cushy tank all his own, plenty of heat sources, and unlimited supplies of food, he discovered there were Others roaming in his utopia and while short, they were dangerous.

Maybe you should start a pool on how long he will survive the kids?

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! We have never had a lizard, but my sister let her kids keep one they found at the church. Her husband got as excited as the kids and went to buy the lizard a cage and food and stuff. It ate flies and crickets. That right there would have been the ultimate defining moment of horror for me, but the kids loved it. But the thing kept growing and then it started smelling and my sister said enough was enough. So they let it go.
What do you all feed yours? You are a good mom to let your kids have a pet lizard!

Laski said...

Hey, I'm a optimist. I'll say he'll see at least a day or two of 2009. Lizards, fish, and any other non-dog/cat animal were always in peril at our house. Sad, but true.

Good luck Fiji! I'm pullin' for ya!

Laski said...

AN optimist. Must correct. The English teacher in me. BTW, Fiji, I'm STILL pulling for ya!

Andrea said...

Oh poor Fiji, as much as lizards creep me out, I do feel bad for him. At least he was found before he became totally unaware of the world around him!!

caramama said...

Poor Fiji! That must have been terrifying for him!

Did I mention that my crazy hormones that make me cry for children in peril also include animals in peril? I'm so sad for that darn lizard!

I'm pulling for him, and I hope that the lesson was indeed learned!

Cecily R said...

Oh, sad Fiji! He'll make it, he will!!

Our first gecko got a rock dropped on his tail (Gracie was trying to beautify his living quarters and "It jus' slipped, Mom!") and we weren't informed until it was too late. Poor thing.

Our current critter is a trooper and Gracie learned her lesson fast. I have no doubt that the lesson was learned at your house too...

OHmommy said...

Kudos to you for getting the lizard.

I am still in awe of that. :)

AutoSysGene said...

Looks like Fiji may have a little cat in him after all...9 lives and all...

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

Poor Fiji. Hopefully this little scare will protect him from further harm. At least he didn't get loose in the house! Not sure how the dogs would take to him.

Momisodes said...

Poor Fiji!!! I'm rooting for him too. I hope the scare was enough to deter anymore incidents.

just jamie said...

Yikes for Fiji. Yikes for the kiddos involved. You handled it well.

Paula Lynn Johnson said...

My dog is on Prozac. Maybe they make it for lizards?

Leanne said...

Oh I am so glad he's okay. I know what you mean about the pets. I gave in when DS wanted the guinea pig and now because the poor thing is totally ignored I take him out all the time to blog with me or clean the kitchen.....

Very strange, but I agree she lives here and she deserves some love....

Pam said...

Oh poor Fiji! The lizard has been fighting an uphill battle his whole life in your house....hopefully the week goes better for him!

Tootsie Farklepants said...

Fiji needs some medication for his PTSD.

Spammon said...

I'm pretty sure it was incidents like this that caused Godzilla to be who he was. I would keep a careful eye on that lizard and make sure he doesn't start growing larger than you.

Shellie said...

Our lizard just died, as a matter of fact, but it was quite hardy, it lasted about a year.

Wineplz said...

ooh...I don't like lizards, but I feel really bad for Figi! Hope he's finally gotten over the shock. I can just see him eyeballin' anyone shorter than 4 feet with one beady rolly-polly eyeball. ;)