WW: Warhol {Linky}

I am glad I got my gecko Warhol. He used to stand at his tank like he wanted to come out to play, then fall and winter happed. A lot of times geckos like to just chill in their tank, and eat less when it is colder. He comes out to hang out with us sometimes. 

It's a good thing they are like a cat, and poop in the same spot in their tank. Otherwise my poor husband's head may have gotten a surprise. 

Before anyone says, "Oh gross!" I can't have very many pets. I have allergies and asthma. When I was little my parents had to give up their short haired dogs because I kept getting sick. Geckos it is. They are cute, like to cuddle (sometimes), and each have their own personalities (we have two). 

Do you have any pets?

Warhol Went on a Trip

I play with our gecko Warhol almost every evening. He started doing this thing where he comes to the door if he sees me. He's like a dog that wants to be played with. 

If I open the door, he's right there.

Cute: Yes, but I messed up and left his front doors open on his tank. 

I fell asleep, and woke up to Isaak freaking out. "Mom! What did you do? Warhol's tank is open, and I can't find him anywhere! Where is he?" 

I was half out of it. 

Mica was looking all over the living room for him. Isaak was looking in the kitchen. 

Mica said, "Isaak why in the heck are you looking in there. He couldn't of gone too far!"

Isaak thank goodness found him. He was under Mica's chair in the kitchen. My little gecko wanted to travel. Who can blame him? So do I. 

I'm so glad he was found!

Sunny's tank has been left open as well, but he has a top tank. Leopard geckos climb, but not up on the glass. Sunny couldn't get up to the top of his tank even if he wanted to. 

Have you ever lost a pet? Did you find him or her?  

WW: Little Foot {Linky}

My gecko Warhol shed, and I found this Michael Jackson glove that he left behind.

Peek-A-Boo

I noticed Warhol was looking very white. I gave him a bath.  That's recommended to help them shed. When I took him out he ran up my sleeve. It was cute. I think he was just cold.  

I had trouble getting his tank door open one handed, and the boys were in school, so they couldn't help me. Mr. Warhol kind of flipped out inside my sleeve. He took his top jaw and bit me. I had a tiny horse shoe bite on my arm. 

No harm really. I think he was terrified because I was squirming around trying to get his tank open. He was tightly caught in my shirt. He did not draw blood. A few days after the bite happened I had some small itchy hives. They are gone now. 

Sure enough he shed right away. 

After that shed he was cute again. Here he is playing peek-a-boo.

WW: Meet Warhol {Linky}

All I asked for Christmas was a new white gecko, and a dresser, or some kind of hutched turned into a gecko hide.

We bought a dresser from facebook marketplace, and we sold our coffee table that we've had for ever. My husband thought about my grandpa a lot when making the gecko hide. He inherited a lot of his tools. It was a good project. 

My husband knows a girl that's pregnant, and wanted to give up a few geckos. We took one in. His name is, "Warhol". It's off of Andy Warhol. I just thought it would be fun to have a white gecko, and decorate some of his hide pop art like. As it turned out, the tank has a faux rock pattern. So long, Campbell soup can tank paper. he does have a tent made by me, with Brillo logo on it. Warhol the artist did a piece, with Brillo in it. Then the gecko Warhol has a big Campbell tomato soup can hide. So far he prefers his log hide because it's familiar. It takes them awhile to venture out of their comfort zone. 

Some of you might be thinking, Why a gecko? Well I'm allergic to all things furry, and feathery. I was told that all dogs and cats are no nos, for me. No matter what claims are out there that certain dogs and cats are allergy safe. They are in fact just better than most. More power to you, if you can have one. Geckos fit me. They are friendly, have fun habitats, and are easy to care for. My son's actually cuddles. He'll sit under a blanket for up to an hour. They also like to be swayed/rocked. No joke! It's the only time Warhol stays still. 

Here's Warhol in his moist hide. Also known as a Mason jar with wet moss in it. 

Here's me with him. 

He tries to climb up the couch, but doesn't get far. Leather isn't easy to climb apparently. 

Mica was holding him here. Isaak kept saying, "Mica you have him in the circle of trust." I imagine geckos feel safe in hands that are cupped because it seems like a hide. 

Do you own a pet? What's is its name? 

Adulting Never Felt so Good

We sold a coffee table on facebook marketplace. It was big, and old. We bought in return a long, skinny dresser that we are converting into a gecko habitat. 

*Never mind the big stick. Travis is taking the bark off to make some sculpture thing.

It will look something like this, but not. *See the photo below. I want to get a white, or light colored gecko. Possibly in the spring. Its name will be Warhol, and it will have one of his pop art pieces in the background of the tank. He/she will have smooth Campbell Soup cans tipped over/edges smooth, for hides. I'm sure I'll tweak the color of the dresser/gecko enclosure. I'm not the type to leave things as is. I also don't mind its color.

Source

Huge news I got the job at AIM Institute! I even filled out the paperwork. It took way longer than it should have because I called the financial guy to make sure I was filling out the W4. Man things are different with those + I just haven't filled out that many. I wanted it done right considering that this is the job I plan on retiring from. If covid wasn't a thing, I seriously wanted to hug all their team through the computer. 

They pay well + have good benefits. The best things is that I'll be doing good things in the community. It's a nonprofit that helps put technology in the hands of those that can't afford it. I'll have a marketing title, but will do writing and graphic design as well. It will be mostly remote. They are ok with me teaching a college course at a university, in the evening once a week. 

I have to break up with Williams Sonoma. That's not so fun. I'm a bit nervous. I have to be honest, I haven't broken up with very many people or places. I kind of see things through the end almost always. It's their busy time + a coworker's father just passed away. It's only part time. I thought that with being part time I'd be able to transport Isaak to and from school more. Not so. She said she'd have the schedule done two weeks prior, which she does, but she changes it. I now understand why they have so many employees working part time: They don't have to pay for them to eat + they don't have to give them health insurance. I get hangry! Closing makes me on edge. It was in my job description. At Fresh Thyme there was always two people there that knew how to close. If I messed up, another person could help. It is cool setting up their displays. That's really my favorite part of the job. 

Do you find it hard to quit a job?

WW: Upper Geck {Linky}

What yoga position would this be called? I think I'd call it the Upper Geck.

Sunny Cuddles

We have a bit of a problem...

Isaak might be allergic to Sunny, the Gecko. I'm hoping it's his food he could be allergic to. We hold him in the evening because he's nocturnal. Once Isaak's eyes swelled up like crazy afterwards. Another time his lip looked all puffy afterwards. He needs to wash his hands no matter if he's allergic to him, or not. But it could Sunny be a problem, for him?

Or is it just a coincidence, and he has seasonal allergies?

I never thought that allergies to a lizard could be a thing. I'm the queen of allergies, and Sunny is one of the few pets I can actually have.

He usually climbs up on my shoulder, but one night he cuddled up to me, for a long time. I never thought lizards would cuddle ever.

Here's Isaak cuddles:

Here he is in the day time sleeping away, and splooting (laying flat with his arms sprawled out): 

His little claws tickle when he walked on you.

Sometimes when he senses you, while he's sleeping his eyes pop open.

We'll have to keep an eye on Isaak. I'm going to be pretty sad if he is allergic to him. To be honest lizards in my opinion are easier to care for than fish. That is once their setup is established. Their habitat can be a pain to get the way you and they need. Their area has to be cleaned way less than a fish tank. Their food is easy to raise. Cost wise after their tank is established, they are affordable too.

WW: In Da Hood {Linky}

Care for a #Gecko

Recently I decided to work with some photos I have, to create some two page spreads. First off to play with InDesign, a program I teach.

I also feel like not very many average people know how to care, for Geckos. At least I didn't. There's a lot of false information out there. We made mistakes! At the pet stores, the workers seem to know very little, in comparison to dogs and cats. There are a lot of things sold there that just isn't the right care strategies, for geckos.

I know it's hard to read in the two page spread on here, so I typed it in below.

A gecko is a great first pet. You don’t have a to worry about people having allergies around them. They can be held, but don’t have to be. It’s super easy to care for them.

Types of Geckos That Make Great Pets

• Crested Gecko

• Day Geckos

• Fat-Tailed Gecko

• Gargoyle Gecko

• Leopard Gecko

• Pictus Gecko

What to Buy Your First Gecko

There are a lot of unnecessary kits and items that stores try to sell first time gecko owners. Be mindful of what your pet really needs.

A Gecko’s Home

Start out with at least a 20 gallon tank. If you buy a gecko as a baby this size of tank may seem huge. Fill the tank up with hides, rocks, and branches then it will not seem so big. A screen top is important to get. If you already have a tank, you can get screen tops separately. The top will keep unwanted bugs out.

Belly Heat

Gecko’s need belly heat, for proper digestion, so heat mats for the bottom of the tank are a must. Only half the tank will need heat mats. The other half will be the cool side of the tank. The mats do not always stay put, so make sure you have some Duct tape to secure them.

On the Floor

The floor of the tank should not include substrate, or sand. Both of these things pet stores try to sell consumers. It’s in the gecko’s nature to lick as they walk sometimes. Any loose flooring can make a gecko impacted. Then you’ will have to go to the Vet.

Instead of sand or substrate, use paper towels, floor tile, non adhesive shelf paper, or cork tiles. Tiles, cork and shelf paper wipe up easily. Paper towels are inexpensive to replace.

Hide and Seek

Geckos like to hide, so get them three to four hide structures. You can make your own hides if you’d like to. They even like to lay under rocks and logs. There should be a hide in the cool area of the tank, and in the warm area of the tank. When they shed, they do best with a moist hide.

For a moist hide, lay damp paper towels in a mason jar, or in a plastic container that has a hole cut out of it. Make sure you sand down, or burn the edges of the plastic opening. Freshly cut edges can be sharp.

Keep it Cozy

A temperature | humidity gauge is important. A gecko’s tank should be kept around 92 degrees, on the warm side of the tank. Remember they are cold blooded animals.

Light

It is a rumor that geckos need an orange light at night. Orange bulbs are sold in gecko kits at the pet stores. Do not buy into this. An orange bulb is hard on gecko’s eyes, and will actually over time blind them

They do however need light during the daytime; if they are not in a well lit up area.

Food and Water Dishes

Your gecko will need a few flat food dishes, or you could repurpose throw away lids to be feeding dishes. Your gecko will need a dish for water, food, and calcium with vitamin D3.

What do Geckos Eat?

• Mealworms

• Crickets

• Dubia Roaches

• Superworms

• Hornworms

• Silkworms

• Wax Worms

• Locusts

Their staple diet should be Mealworms, Crickets, and Dubia Roaches. It is best to vary their diet.

It is best to feed their food (bugs and worms) veggies, for a few days before feeding it to your gecko. This is called, “Gut loading” their food. It is also great to shake the bugs and worms in calcium with vitamin D3 powder before feedings. Geckos like their food alive.

Traits of Geckos

Nocturnal

Geckos are nocturnal. They do very well with no lights on at all. When you sleep, they party and play.

Geckos sleep during the day. Often times they lay flat on their belly, with their legs in a sprawl. This way of laying is called “Splooting”, or “Sploot”.

To Be Held, or Not to Be Held

Geckos are good around people. Usually they only like twenty minutes of human interaction a day. The timing varies, from each individual gecko. Not all geckos are the same. They do like to climb up on your shoulder. Be careful to not let them fall.

You can pet a gecko. They love the top of their head, back, and tummy rubbed.

Clean

A gecko’s tank should be cleaned once every other week. They typically go to the bathroom in one spot. Check that spot to keep it clean. Change their water daily.

Geckos can have a shallow warm bath. Do watch them the whole time they are in there. They can not swim. Bathing does help when they are having problems going to the bathroom, and helps their skin when they are about to shed.

Be Careful

• Do not ever pick geckos up by their tail. They can loose their tail. It will grow back. It is not desirable to have a gecko loose their tail.

• Do not hold a gecko on their back. Gecko’s can not breathe if they are on their back.

• Do not put more than one gecko in a tank. They are solitary animals.

• Do not have loose substrate, or sand in their tank. This could lead to digestive impaction.

• Do not use red light. This could lead to blindness.

• Do not remove their shed. They will do that on their own. You can assist them with putting them in a moist hide, or by giving them a shallow bath.

Enjoy Your Pet

The most important thing is to enjoy spending time with your pet. Geckos are super fun to watch!

If you are serious about buying a gecko for the first time: 

Download this this sheet. It will help you with your gecko's care.

Care for a Gecko by AlissaSpiehs-Apel on Scribd

Sunny's #tipi #teepee #leopardgecko #diy #craft #gecko

Our Leopard Gecko Sunny got an upgrade tank. He had a 10 gallon. After doing some research we found out it is just too small! He needs a warm side of the tank, and a cool side. He should have 3 or 4 hides: One on each side + a moist hide when he sheds.

On Facebook Market Place I kept my eye out for an upgrade. Finally I saw one! A 30 gallon tank for $30. We had to buy a top cover, but that was a good price. I got some non adhesive shelf paper, for the base. He was in the tank as soon as Travis cleaned it up.

We filled it up fast.

I had this ingenious idea of making Sunny a Tipi, for a hide.

I seriously decided his tipi plans on Christmas Eve Day. I went out to get the material. Then on Christmas I started making it. I kind of felt like he deserved nicer things, than he had.

I knew I needed some kind of base just to help hold the sticks where I wanted them to be. I used the lid to Orange Slices bought at Walmart - God I love those things!

Then I figured out that most tipis online have 6 sticks. Kitchen skewer sticks are the perfect size for Sunny's tipi, so I used them. I just stabbed holes with a knife tip, and stabbed the skewers through. Then I tied the top with hemp rope, and secured it with Elmer's Glue.

After the anatomy to the tipi was made I had to cut out the canvas, and I started sewing. I sewed around all the skewer sticks, and I sewed the door open.

When I was all done, I took the base out. BUT it was too flimsy, so Travis was nice enough to cut out a masonite base. He glued the skewer sticks to it. I think that's great because it's less likely to tip over. 

I debated on using fabric paint to make a pattern, sew beads on (he just licks, doesn't eat things off like that), or add the God's Eye I made last year out of toothpicks and embroidery floss. I went with the God's Eye. It was the perfect size, and I liked the colors. It was originally made to be a Christmas ornament. 

I worried a bit with the top of the skewers, but Sunny doesn't climb in his tank. Only when he's being held. He'll climb up to your/my shoulder every time. The tipi is really steep. We didn't place it near anything where he could get from one thing, to the top of the tipi. 

Here was his new set up:

I couldn't see him enjoy it because he was sleeping under Travis' sculpture hide. I learned a new word lately. When an animal lays all flat like to sleep it's called, "Splooting". Sunny sploots all the time!

It didn't take long before I heard Travis say, "Sunny is in your Tipi! Come look! It's the cutest thing!"

Sure enough he was checking out the tipi. 

Do you see the back corner? That's where he typically poops.

It was days where we didn't see any poop in his poop spot. He always poops there. I was thinking, Here we go again! Do we need to start giving him baths, and put him back on meds? Then it dawned on me...I bet he's shitting in his tipi! I told Travis to check!

Sure enough...there was about 5 poops in his tipi.

His tipi is his outhouse! He likes to poop in private.

What's the craziest thing you've ever made?

WW: Sunny's House {Linky}

We decided to put Isaak's Eitech Teifoc House in our Gecko - Sunny's tank. It fit!

He loved it a lot! 

He'd eat, sleep, and smile in his new home.

The only problem, was that Sunny never wanted to leave his home. We couldn't get him to come out all week. He wouldn't even come out to get drinks of water. 

Sleeping away!

Even though it's supposed to stress Gecko's out to change their tank set-up, the house has now been removed. He has one of Travis' small sculptures in his new tank set-up. He's a bit more active in and around it.

Have you ever had a pet that took you awhile to figure out?