 Introduction by Dan Eden - story by Sheryl Wiesner
Stewart Ronzo of Eugene, Oregon is another collector of snakes. He has had as many as 22 large snakes over a period of twenty years. We asked "Ronzo," as his friends call him, to explain this fascination with reptiles.
Whatever the rewards, snakes and reptiles have become popular human "associates." This has resulted in some unfortunate and untimely deaths of these animals by accidental mistreatment or ignorance of the animal's special needs. A few months ago, Viewzone ran the story of Sheryl Wiesner, a woman who has become a savior to hundreds of sick and dying reptiles. We asked Sheryl to update us with a story. We are sure that you will also enjoy reading Sheryl's first story. We are pleased that many readers contacted her and that she was able to save many endangered creatures, big and small. Please visit Sheryl's web site if you would like more information or if you would like to let her know of an endangered critter. [Sheryl reports her website is temporarily down. We'll post the new URL when we get it. Thanks.]
|
Alexandria (pictured above) is an albino cornsnake, owned by Jason Como (right) of Springfield, Massachusetts. Keeping reptiles has never been as popular as it is right now. Like many other snake guardians, Jason has experienced the insight and wisdom that this odd fellowship can provide.
Sheryl Wiesner works full time as a home health nurse, caring for Ventilator dependant
patients in the privacy of their own homes.Evenings and weekends are for
her family and the reptiles. Myranda a 12 foot 64 pound Burmese Python needs her medicine, amikacin, an antibiotic must be injected into the muscle along her back. But first she needs to have 250cc (nearly 9 oz) of fluids injected into her abdominal cavity to combat the dehydration. She came in to the rescue from a Local Animal Control Agency. She was found in a local park by a work crew, she was hiding under some scrub along the edge of a waterway. Probally released into the area by her owners due to her increasing size and the remoteness of this particular park. She was found in very poor condition, with mouth rot and pneumonia, too weak to fight the procedure that now must be done every other day for the next 2-3 weeks. Her cage temperature has been increased to the low 90's on the cool end to help her metabolism stabilize and help her fight the infection. A 7 ft Red Tail Boa known only as #27 comes back from the vet tomarrow, turned in to the rescue by his owner, a Boa Breeder who no longer has a use for him and would have him destroyed if I did not take him. Both of his Hemipene (reptiles posess 2 penises) are severly abcessed, it looks as though a golf ball has been placed inside his tail. The vet had to lance the tail and flush the infection. Antibiotics were started and will continue for the next 2-3 weeks, the tail wounds will need to be flushed twice a day until they heal. He will never be able to be used as a breeder again so he will need to be socialized before he can be ready for a new home and life as someones pet. Roscoe the Iguana came here because he simply grew too big for his familys small apartment. They did not spend much time with him so he is wary and untrusting of people. He is only 4 1/2 feet long and still has more growing to do. I wish people would take the time to find out more about their pets before they would bring them home! Almost daily I hear stories about how someones pet is getting too big or is too agressive for their families. Many of these were bought on impulse by people who may have ment well, but were misinformed or uninformed about the pets they chose. Family and life situations change, sometimes there is no more time for a once, much wanted pet, sometimes the pet costs more to maintain than a family can afford. One family has called me repetidly over the past couple of months. concerned over their Bearded Dragons lack of appetite. Only recently they finally confided in me that they can not afford to feed them properly and the lizards have only been offered food once every week or so. These lizards need to eat daily to remain healthy! 2 weeks ago the female was so weak that she could no longer keep food down, I tried then to get the family to release the lizards to the rescue. The husband instead wanted to sell them, even knowing that they were sick and likley to die if not cared for properly. A couple of days ago the wife called to tell me that the female had died and the male was in bad shape. Still the husband is trying to sell him! I can't force anyone to give up their pets, only suggest what I think is best for the animal. If I were to let these things get to me it would surely drive me crazy! Charlie, a Bearded Dragon went to his new home not long ago. He came here after he was left at a petstore. He had such severe muscle tremors that he could barley move! Several old fractures told the story of a lifetime of Calcium defiency. He was dehydrated because he could not even crawl to his waterbowl. With proper lighting, calcium and Vitamin D as well as working to correct his diet. He slowly improved and was finally ready for adoption after 3 months. Even though he can not walk he still gets around pretty well crawling. His new owner reports that he is all over his 60 gallon reptile tank, and even inspired another family pet also a Bearded Dragon to start eating again! Oscar another Bearded Dragon, was turned in after he was blinded when only 6 months old by the family dog who apparently thought he made a good chew toy! He had to be hand fed since he could not see his food (these lizards are hunters). He needed to find a home willing to hand feed him for the rest of his life, he stayed here for 5 months after he healed from his injuries before the right home was found. Tripod the Iguana was turned in by her Veterinarian when she was abandoned at the clinic after her mate nearly bit her leg off in an attempt to mate! The leg had to be amputated at the elbow. She now resides at a rehab center for amputees, encouraging patients with her example of courage! She is one of the sweetest Iguanas that has ever come thru my home. Being an animal rehabber is never easy, it is full of heartaches and tears. Even other animal rehabbers I know question my sanity for working with reptiles instead of cute and cuddly warm fuzzys like cats, dogs or rabbits. I believe all animals deserve a second chance when things dont work out for them, after all they did not ask to be taken into our homes as pets. I believe reptiles have the greatest need because they are so misunderstood. Reptiles of course are not for everybody, but this does not bother me because not everybody should consider owning one. They require large SECURE cages, proper temperatures, humidity, and lighting as well as specialized diets and consistant interaction with their owners if they are to remain tame. And the owner must understand that they are caring for a wild animal, no matter how tame it appears to be. Even domesticated animals can act in an unpredictable manner, owners must remain aware of this in order to insure the safety of everyone involved as well as the safety of their pets!
--
Sheryl Wiesner |