All Geckos Go to Heaven

Last Friday our beloved pet leopard gecko, Jackie, passed away. Given time to reflect, I have found several big lessons that she taught to our family in her little time with us. Here are some of Jackie’s most memorable characteristics:

First, she wasn’t a boy. With leopard geckos it can be hard to tell, apparently, and we definitely named her Jack Bauer before we decided she must actually be a girl. Hopefully we’ll have an easier time figuring out gender when a baby comes along.

Second, she hardly ever made any noise. I can only remember once making her squeak indignantly when I tried to pick her up by her belly, squeezing it a bit. She didn’t like that. Aside from that, she remained totally silent. However, Jennie especially could tell when she was miserable; it’s funny that we can tell how animals are feeling.

Third, she had lots of problems. One eye never opened well. She took a dive one day and broke her tail, and sometime before Thanksgiving she had pretty much given up on eating anything, which was very disheartening. Her crickets had to be small; consequently they would escape from their own little cage and go rampaging around our home. She was lovable, though.

I think geckos make good pets, but Jennie isn’t so sure. Either way, we both loved Jackie and are sad to see her go.



Jackie Bauer Peterson
5 Sep 2009 - 4 Dec 2009