Archives of The Cold Blooded News

The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

Volume 31, Number 2;   February, 2004

Judge, Can You Spare a Lizard

by Bob Cunningham

I was at a UHA meeting, but my wife took the call and was told there was a very large lizard in a bush in his front yard. My wife told him I would call when I returned. Upon calling back the fireman's wife answered the phone. She stated there was this very large angry lizard in a bush in her front yard. I asked her the size of the animal and was told it was between two and four feet long. She denied that it was colored green. Since the first call had come some five hours earlier, I asked her if it was still there. I asked her to call me back if she saw it again. I thought that would be the end of the tale, but she called back about two minutes later to state it was still there. Intrigued by this lazy lizard, I asked my wife if she would like to take a ride on a hot Sunday evening. I got my Elk hide gloves, a catching stick, and a large bag, and we set out on our adventure.

Upon arriving, the fireman and his wife were awaiting the lizard catchers. We were shown to a Cedar bush about four feet tall. Expecting to find a three-foot Green Iguana, we were surprised to find a very docile Bearded Dragon about 1½ feet long. After identifying the lizard, I told them I knew of a city judge who had raised these animals in his court chambers. In the subsequent conversation, I mentioned the name of our former member, Judge Merrill. To my great surprise, the homeowner told me he thought Judge Merrill lived just down the street. After picking up, this very tame dragon, the city fireman, my wife, and I proceeded down the street and were shown to residence of Jeffrey Merrill. The good judge identified the lizard as one that had escaped from its cage several weeks earlier. We visited with the Judge and his wife for about thirty minutes while the ferocious Dragon walked around on Jeff's shoulders. This city firefighter, who rescues the unfortunate from burning infernos, finally agreed to tentatively pet the wandering animal. On this occasion he rescued a dragon from marauding cats. We left with thanks of the fireman and the Judge. So goes the life of the Syracuse Adoption Chairman.