Good Bye, Ty-Dye!

I've been meaning to post all week, but I am just now getting around to it.  Why??? Because all 3 of my kids have been sick with the stomach virus!!!   Doesn't that stink?   Today, they finally all went back to school.  I can bleach the barf buckets and put them away until next time.  (Oh yes, there's always a next time.)

So, I need to let you know that we've had a dear pet pass away this week.  Ty-Dye the gekko. He lived a long and happy life.....3 years.   I thought that was pretty good, until Veruka told me that most gekkos live 30 years!   (I guess Ty-Dye was 27 when we bought him.  :)

That's right, I said bought him.  No, he wasn't free.  We actually paid money.....for a gekko!  (I know, I couldn't believe it either!)  It all started when Charlie was turning 9.  He had been asking for a pet.  Veruka had gotten a kitten for her 9th Bday.....that's another story for another day.  At the time we were trying to avoid the whole dog thing....of course we eventually caved on that front.  But at the time, this was before Dakota  aka...before dog.

Anyway, we were at the mall & the kids wanted to go in the pet store.  While we were there the boys had to look at the reptiles.  I mean...snakes and lizards are required viewing for all boys, aren't they??  Veruka and I were ooohing and ahhhing over the adorable puppies when Charlie ran up and asked if he could pleeeeease get a gekko for a pet. 

I thought it sounded like a great idea....I mean a gekko...that had to be low maintenance right? He drug me to the back of the store to show me the cool gekkos that he liked.  They were neat alright, but I couldn't pull my eyes away from the price tag.......EIGHTY DOLLARS!!!!  I am not making that up!!!!  

8 - 0....Eighty!!!

I quickly recovered and told Charlie we'd need to see if we could find one that cost a little less.I was hoping he'd forget after a couple of days.  No such luck.  He wouldn't let the gekko idea go. After all, I had said yes, he could get one.  He decided he wanted it for his birthday.   He asked for $ and supplies.  My sis gave him her old fish tank, along with a thermometer and money to put towards the gekko.  I was able to find a cheaper gekko.....only 50 dollars....(can you believe it??) ....at PetSmart.

The day finally arrived, and I took him to PetSmart where we spent $50 for a carpet, water bowl, fake cave and driftwood.  Then of course there was the $50 for the gekko which Charlie named Ty-Dye.  Now that is a cool name for a gekko isn't it???  He looked like he was ty-dyed....thus the name.

Well, as we were getting ready to head to the check out, I mentioned to the overly helpful PetSmart girl, that we almost forgot to get food.  I turned and asked her,

"What do gekkos eat???"

"Crickets", she replied.

"What????  I thought I heard you say crickets???" was my reply.

"That's right!!" she said, "and don't worry, we sell them here."

"What????"

"Can't the gekko just eat cricket flavored food?"  I asked exasperated.

Apparently, not.  The girl helpfully showed me where I could get a small cage for the crickets....and food for the crickets.  That's right, food for the food of the gekko!!!!  Sheesh!

So, every two weeks for the past 3 years I've driven my butt 20 minutes to the nearest PetSmart to pick up live crickets.  Oh, how I'll miss that duty.

Ty-Dye was buried earlier in the week with a full funeral.  When we realized he had passed away, I asked Charlie if he wanted Ty-Dye to have a burial at sea or a burial in the earth.  He and Mike TV just stared at me wide eyed and silent. 

 

Then finally, Charlie asked, "Does burial at sea mean flushed down the toilet?"

He chose burial in the earth.

So, Ty-Dye was placed in the finest of caskets.....an Ann Taylor jewelry box.  He was draped in a flag...one of the mini flags on a stick...for the procession....and he was laid to rest under our Japanese Maple tree.  At the end of the funeral, Brian played taps on Charlie's trumpet.  Good ol Ty-Dye, may he rest in peace.