Leo

[Kiwibird]

Last weekend Leo, my ancient leopard gecko, finally passed on. Similarly to what's happened when other beloved humans and animals in my life have passed, I felt it when he went. This time I woke from a dead sleep in the middle of the night like a bolt of lightning went through me and I knew sweet little Leo was gone. He had been showing his age for several years- completely blind, missing almost all his toes, unable to shed on his own or catch his prey without help. His passing was an end to his suffering. I cannot be sad because that little gecko well and truly lived up into the very uppermost reaches of his lifespan and never knew a day of neglect or mistreatment. He was approximately a year old when I got him in 1997. He was my first pet that I was responsible for. I quickly found out he was nocturnal and not all that exciting of a pet, though he did enjoy curling up in your hand because of the warmth humans have. He survived a massive sand impaction early on, but otherwise had no health issues until he became of advanced age. He enjoyed eating giant wild-caught insects such as grasshoppers and leaf bugs as big as his head in the summers and went into a semi-hibernative state every winter where he barely ate for months on end. I believe these 2 factors contributed greatly to his advanced years.

While I do not believe in any kind of consciousness after death, I do thank mother earth for allowing me to enjoy this precious being for the time he was here. I wan't sure if I even wanted to post this in bereavement, as I don't think that an animal living a full, healthy, happy life before returning to the earth is sad or tragic. I am happy he lived out a full, healthy and to whatever extent a gecko may experience happiness or contentment in his life.

 

[LauraC]

What a beautiful post. Even though Leo lead a full life, it is still a loss to you. I am sorry for your loss. RIP Leo.

 

[itzjbean]

Aw, so sorry to hear of Leo's passing but it sounded like he was very loved.

I think it's really cool that you came out of a dead sleep and just knew. Sounds like you have amazing intuition.

Rest easy now, little Leo!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Taking responsibility for, and loving, and seeing an animal out in style... that's a beautiful thing. I hope to do the same for the Rickeybird.
Thank you for this.
Do you have a picture of Leo?

 

[bigfellasdad]

R.I.P little Leo, its heart breaking losing a companion, especially a freind ship that is as long so take care KiwiBird.


Andy

 

[Scott]

Leo was so fortunate to have you as his companion and guardian. Your psychic awareness of his passing is a phenomena we may not understand but seems a harbinger of a greater consciousness of some sort. Perhaps not fully knowing is what keeps us human and anticipating each day anew.

 

[noodles123]

Hang in there.

 

[Tami2]

Awww, thanks for sharing. So sorry for your loss.

 

[Kiwibird]

Thank you all. Took a while for me to locate my favorite photo of Leo, taken many years ago (I think I was still in high school!). I swear he was smiling:

 

[Terry57]

Oh April, I am so sorry for your loss. Leo was a real beauty! What a wonderful life he had with you.

 

[Scott]

Thank you all. Took a while for me to locate my favorite photo of Leo, taken many years ago (I think I was still in high school!). I swear he was smiling:

What a beautiful and ethereal image of Leo!

 

[BoomBoom]

That's an awesome picture. Thanks for having given him a wonderful and comfortable life