longing for a gecko friend

my photos showed me it’s been a whole year since I saw this ad for a leopard gecko at the rescue center, and when I tell you I was obsessed with finding a way to bring her home I MEAN it. 

I’ve wanted a reptile for some time now because I love them in general, but also decided they’re more “low maintenance” in a sense of physical labor for me. Scheduled feeding, diet, temperature, habitat? all good with me, it’s easier than needing to walk a dog, commit time to exercise/playtime, etc. not that I wouldn’t do such, just that I don’t want my health to cost an animal a good life, ya know? 

but this gecko has been so special to me because I found out at the time of reading her bio that she has a bone condition and is missing some of her toes/fingers and thus requires special care. while yes, taking in a disabled gecko for your first ever reptile is in theory not a good idea, I myself am disabled and actually do a lot of the things that are in her treatment plans. she needs meds, mobility access to get around her tank, she has fragile bones, etc. we’re so similar and in a way I think taking care of her would help me take care of myself more. 

I even got to see her in person and talk with her care taker who was really great and owns three leopard geckos herself. they really just want someone who will commit and got very excited at the time when I said I was interested in her.

 And honestly I have a six page google doc of research I did just for this cutie that I would happily show how much of my world I’d dedicate to her. I’ve been thinking about her for a YEAR. she’s not just some gecko to me and I really hope she’s still available, last I checked she was taken off the website but still in care at the center. 

I think it would be criminal not to attach the photo of her that came up, so here’s Chuck; 

 (yes HER name is Chuck and I think that’s iconic)