My lizard has died

9 years to the day after getting him for my birthday, my pet ignuana, Frodo died. The first pet I've had die since I've had kids.

I kind of feel guilty that I didn't do more with him. I didn't walk him often (I had a leash for him) or take him out of his "cage" (a huge custom made monstrosity to fit him).

When I first got him, I was working on Galactic Civilizations, the game that launched Stardock as a "real company". He would lay on my arm (he was tiny then) while I coded. 9 years later, he was several feet long from head to tail and weighed...well quite a bit (10 pounds?).

He was a gentle thing. If you pet him, he'd close his eyes. When I'd spritz him with water he would raise his head up to make sure I got every part of him.

Frodo wasn't the brightest creature around. He regularly would try to eat himself, mistakenly thinking that a finger or tail was some sort of worm.

And one time he sat on a chair in my room calculating the trajectory and distance needed to jump from the chair onto the top of a file cabinet, a jump that he clearly was not capable of making. After some consideration, he leaped with all his might...right into the side of the cabinet and slid down the side of it in an almost cartoon way, bemused that he was unable to make the impossible jump onto the top of it.

Whereever you are, Frodo, I hope you're in a place with lots of hot rocks and trees to climb and all the food you could possibly want.

5,654 views 16 replies
Reply #1 Top
Reply #2 Top
I'm sorry for your loss. Pets have a special place with us and it is terribly sad to lose a friend.

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Reply #4 Top
This has the distinction of being the first lizard eulogy, I've ever read. My condolences on the loss of your scaley companion.
Reply #5 Top
I am sorry to hear that Brad.

Our relations with the animals is the measurement of our evolution as mankind.
Reply #6 Top
sorry to hear about your lizard Brad...
do you have anyother pets that are not green? hehe

yeah hurts to lose something you've had that long 9 years! wow
sure you gave him a good life
Reply #7 Top
Very sorry to hear that Brad. My wife and I know the pain. A year ago we lost out Golden Retriever "Rudy". He had been with us 13 1/2 years. To us, our dogs are our children. The loss was devastating.
Reply #8 Top
My condolences as well, Brad.

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Reply #10 Top
Sad news, Brad....Terry and I don't have kids, so our cat is 'it'.....and I'm really not looking forward to 'that' day....
Reply #11 Top
Awwwwwwww... I am sorry. Lizards are really hard to keep and I am sure you did your best for him. Sounds like he lived a long life... not sure about how long iguanas live. It is illegal to have a lizard in Hawaii. If you come here with one it's big troubles! All I get to have are fish...
Reply #12 Top
GoodMorphing: Why is it illegal? Never heard that before.
Reply #13 Top
When memories are all we have left - only the good will remain. My sympathies for you and your family. Can you imagine loosing one of your children? That is a thought that truly scares me.

http://www.elizabethsmart.com

No man is an island complete unto himself
each are a part of the whole ...
And when one is lost, a part of all is lost as well.
So do not ask for whom the bell tolls,
it tolls for thee.
- paraphrased
Reply #14 Top
GoodMorphing, (off topic, I know)

Howzit...I lived on the 'rock' (oahu) for 6 years (Kaneohe and Kailua)...Went to Castle High School and eventually graduated from Kailua High in '81. Where do you live? (Island/town).

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Reply #15 Top
Don't try bringing a snake to Hawaii either...
Reply #16 Top
Pets. I have a cat thats been by my side now for 22 years. He's still in good health too. Our vet says that he's the oldest client shes ever had. Billy Graham (evangelist) once said that if his beloved Labrador Ret. wasn't in heaven to greet him when he arrived then it wouldn't be heaven. Anywho sorry about your loss. I quess the cats still alive he just rolled over and asked for dinner. NOW!