Eragon isn't the only one with a Dragon

Just before Christmas a co-worker of my husbands was telling us about a hobby of hers raising Dragons and asked us to come over and take a look for ourselves. "Dragons?", I chuckled. "Sure and do you have a few gnomes too. I'd love to have a real garden gnome." She led us into her living room where 3 large terrariums were on stands with bright heat bulbs shining on these curious looking creatures that looked similar to a lizard. The youngest of her dragons was a 5 month old female. A red desert bearded dragon. I had never even heard of bearded dragons before let alone seen one. I was in for quite a shock when the older male puffed up his beard at me when I put my face in front of his cage to look at him more closely. I jumped back with a squeal as my husband and our friend laughed at me. She explained all about "beardies" as devoted owners call them. They are a gentle and mostly docile pet who prefer to bask in the hot sun and survey their hunting grounds. Indigenous to Australia there are many varieties and come in a vast array of colors. As you can see here. (What a great photo gallery they have!)

That week we purchased our little "Lucy" as we have come to call her. That was over 5 months ago now. At first I didn't want to touch her or handle any of her things since I learned that they carry a light coating of salmonella as a protection from predators. There was no way I was going to be handling her and then cooking meals for my family! But, I have learned so much since then and now I can barely go a few hours without having to go pick her up and let her hang out on my shoulder while I go about the house during my daily routines.


Here are a few pictures of Lucy.
















Lucy munching on her breakfast of greens.





Taking in a little sun with Mom.



Her favorite rock.



I set her in the window sill when I am standing there washing dishes. She loves to listen to the birds.