Surround Yourself with People Who Get You

Don't most of us feel a need to belong somewhere? Does anyone find it easy? No matter how subtle or obvious, everyone has their quirks and passions. But how does one "fit in" or get a sense of belonging when your idea of a good time is taming an alligator and cleaning all kinds of poop is well within your comfort zone?
This is not an all encompassing list of people I care about or support me. But these three women are great examples of what can happen when you "put yourself out there" and how awesome it feels when someone just GETS YOU.

Kerri
We met in 2007 at the MICA store. I was a wayward 18 year old starting my second job ever. Kerri was my manager for 6-7 years. That is a lot of shifts to exchange little bits of information and pieces of your lives with each other. In 2009 I had taken in Pierce, an iguana who desperately needed 24 medical care. Kerri is extremely empathetic and easy to talk to. With very little pleading, she allowed me to bring my iguana to work. This was such an exciting experience that it turned into a regular event. We bonded over appreciating unusual creatures. At the time, I was volunteering at Charm City Reptile Rescue and fell for a baby boa. I knew I couldn't adopt him because they get so big. One night Kerri came in and adopted him. His name is Steve and now he's an active model. Eventually, started volunteering for the Maryland Zoo while I started on my grad school thesis- The Drawing Zoo. She was hugely involved as I started on this journey of entrepreneurship, guiding my operations and policies.

Darcey
I walked into my first appointment at Feathers Scales and Tails wearing a custom shirt featuring a painting I did of Pierce in '09. A vet technician entered the exam room and exclaimed "Oh my God. Did you paint that yourself-Are you and artist-Do you want to be best friends!!!??" All in one breath.
Darcey specializes with wildlife and exotic pets, and also happens to be an wonderful air brush artist. We keep saying that I'm going to teach her water color and she's going to teach me air brush but it hasn't happened yet.
Darcey may as well be a saint. I blow up her phone when an animal does something silly, has surprising bumps or sneezes. She also is the enabler of my weakness... adopting homeless pets! She's involved in everything I've only dreamed of. So wild, she makes me feel tame.

Corinne
Darcey played match maker. She suggested Corrine and I as FaceBook friends. We could tell from our copious animal-selfies that we had a common lifestyle choices. Corinne is the director of the Carrie Murray Nature Center. I'd gone once in college and  meant to go back ever since- but of course never found time. For months Corinne and I "liked" each others' statuses and photos until I saw a Sip n Paint event at the nature center.  When we met in person the sparks flew! I immediately joined as their newest board member and began spending my Saturdays repainting signs, educating visitors, and helping with events. Corinne is a master falconer who's been running the nature center for a very long time. She's also an awesome painter! You can see lots of her work depicted on wine glasses given as prizes for events like Bingo Night.

What each of these ladies has in common is very special. They inspire, challenge and accept me. They all have huge hearts and give friends their best. I hope that everyone finds a friend that just gets you.

-Brittany

The Unexpected

I've said before that having a pet isn't about committing when things are fun, new and exciting. Having a pet is also about committing when times are hard. Either you get sick, your animal gets hurt or your work schedule changes etc. Sticking with the theme of responsibility and commitment, this post is about our most recent case of "when times are hard".

The insect eaters here get a variety of bugs in their diet: mealworms, wax worms, horn worms, nutri-grubs, dubia roaches, hissing roaches and crickets. The last of which seems to have bitten Camille the Chameleon on the face. I didn't know that's what had happened.

All I knew is that Camille had a dark spot on her head that didn't change color when she did. I texted my vet, who advised me to keep an eye on it but not panic.... which is my usual response.

The dark spot very quickly escalated to a little bump and then into a huge bump!
Her appetite and activity had not changed- which is a big indicator of good health, but I could tell that she was not her "happy" colors as frequently.

See that big bump between her eyes!?!

At our next veterinary appointment, the Doctor said the bump could be :
A) cancer
B) the result of a respiratory infection
C) an infected bug bite

We are all very thankful that Camille is not suffering from cancer nor improper housing and her life is invaluable to us. But it is still important to note that totally innocent, unexpected situations like this cost over $150.00 and a lot of extra maintenance. Twice a day for 3 days I am charged with forcing water and medicine into her drained abscess and giving oral medicine for 10 days. It's a good thing we're prepared for such surprises!

Despite the irritating meds, Camille is SO much happier. She is a happy color all day. On a total side note, I was happy to hear that Camille quadrupled her weight since we adopted her last year. Woo!

April 2017 vs. April 2017

It is important for me to share these events because they could happen to anyone and you don't know it can happen until someone tells you.

-Brittany