“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
Proverbs 21:5 (NIV)
Last fall I spoke about how our littlest wanted a bearded dragon for Christmas and we ended up purchasing one that fall.
Then I stopped talking about our new pet… for a reason. Approximately three weeks into bearded dragon raising, I called the pet store where we purchased and had a conversation that went something like this:
Me: “Hello. Can I please speak to the manager?”
Store: “This is the manager. How can I help you?”
Me: “Well, I have a question. We purchased a bearded dragon three weeks ago and I noticed on the slip it said we could bring him back if he was sick. He’s very healthy… but I think I ruined him. Is there any way I can return him, even if I can’t get my money back?”
The manager proceeded to talk me off the ledge for the next 45 minutes. I explained all the ways that I thought I “ruined” Um potato, from changing his environment too often, to going too fast too soon and she was quick to reassure me it might possibly be that he, Um potato?, just wasn’t a good fit for our family.
She offered many suggestions, including ways to help us bond, exchanging him for a different dragon that she would help us pick out, etc. She even allowed us to bring him back now, give me time to regulate my blood pressure before attempting life with a new dragon. That was the option we chose.
Three days later I got to meet the nicest lady whom I only knew previously from that 45 minute conversation. She took Um potato out of the box and while he showed slight attitude, he was easily controlled with her whereas 15 minutes earlier I had to put on gloves to put him in the box as he tried to bite me. He had associated me with being tasty and someone fun to hiss at. “Hiss at the lady and watch her jump.”
We left the store that day relieved. He was back with people who knew how to get him ready for the best forever home for his personality and we were given a few weeks to rest before finding the best fit for us. I loved observing the manager with him. It was very obvious that she deeply loved these little guys, even the ones with attitude.
Come back next time to find out how God picked out the best fit for our family and the additional blessings He gave, just because.
© Cheri Swalwell 2017