The Gizmo Chronicles

When I walked into my classroom today I immediately walked over to my leopard gecko's cage to check on Gizmo, our class lizard. At first I thought he was sleeping but then I noticed his bowl was completely dry and when I tapped on the cage he did not move. I knew he was dead. I was borderline devastated. He was such a cool little guy, very friendly, and he had cost me $27.99.
I had specifically asked our custodian to feed and water him on Friday so that he would be ok during the weekend since I had to leave for Louisville right after school on Thursday. I also had a dead fish by the way. It was kind of a morbid morning to say the least.
Now I don't have the greatest luck with classroom pets. Some died and some were a nuisance and were given away. I have had hamsters, mice, rats, hermit crabs, turtles, a hedgehog (yes a hedgehog, for a brief while, that's a different story in itself), a gecko, and a preying mantis. Flames, our hermit crab is still living so at least that is good.
Ok, back to Gizmo. My kids weren't too sad because I hid the cage so that they couldn't see his lifeless body. I assured them I would get something else too. I thought I would get a hamster since I have never killed a hamster. I have only gotten so tired of them that I gave them away. Well, while I was at the pet store tonight, it was suggested that I get a tarantula. The guy helping me was very nice and he got out the rosy-haired tarantula for me to see. I was a bit freaked out and browsed some more and found this, I have to admit, very ugly brown gecko. The guy said he wasn't very nice, he was very quick, very smart, and pretty easy to take care of if he was left alone. Then he proceeded to talk me into the tarantula again. He had me put my hand on the counter and he put the tarantula on top of it and that was about all I could take. I passed on the tarantula and settled for the not so nice lizard. He said he was a sturdy little guy and would probably live a very long time so I figured, why not? He even came with his own little cage all for the price of $19.99. It was a great deal even though I have a much bigger environment for him. I think I am going to call him Gizmo also just because I think that is a cool gecko name and I have a feeling that name might be a little more fitting for him anyway. I think this new little guy is going to be quite feisty and be the subject of many more stories in the future, if I can keep him alive.