Feedback on Starlight Specialties, Laura V.

[Starlight_Specialties]

I would really like to go to sleep

JMelissaMc -
I do NOT mind spending money at the vet, that was never an issue. What was an issue is the hours I'm currently working. I cannot afford to take a day off for this. My animals, if in need of care will be taken in the first day I do have off. I have been working very long hours for quite some time, often working two jobs. My vet is not open 24 hours a day - and those emergency clinics that are do not do reptiles. I will take off a day for my children, but not for myself and not for my reptiles. I'm sorry, but that is the way it is right now.

This is for Kelli too:
As the female lost weight during breeding, more accurately, laying, yes my assumption was that is was breeding/laying related. I did not say the animal for sure had a yeast infection. i told her I know an animal can come down with one if the temps are not perfect and I know this can be another cause for weight loss, and I know my room runs warm. I did not think that was her problem, I believed it to be stress related due to breeding/laying, as she held her weight fine prior to this.
I was not trying to cure a yeast infection, but I was trying to establish proper gut flora for proper digestion, hoping that would perk her up until I could get her seen. I would not have given her away had I thought it anything else - when something like this could happen? It wouldn't have been worth it for me. But, this has happened and I will no longer give away any animals regardless the reasons. I have learned my lesson well here tonight. But, Kelli - how does that make me a liar? I was completely honest with her. I didn't say I took her in, she had a clean stool from the vet. That would have been a lie. Stress from breeding, laying, shipping, etc can cause parasite and protazoa overload. So, the stress of laying oculd have caused more problems than I was aware of. Because I am unaware of something doesn't make me a liar. but, I've admitted to the mistake of giving away the leo.

Yes, time is limited right now, but it will not always be so - and God help me if it is.

As I was feeding her, I also too feed any babies that need it. I know how to use a syringe and I know how to mix a decent meal. I do so when needed. Unlike some breeders I do not have 100% thrive rate on my beardie babies - I would not claim such, for that would make me a liar.

In my experience Leo hatchlings are stronger than beardie hatchlings over all. While most of my beardie clutches do well, I may have a couple that don't thrive well. I want to give them the best chance at survival, if that means giving it away, then that is what it means. But even if I give them away, it doesn't mean I don't feed them or take care of them. I'm not quite sure where that came from. I also keep in contact with the new owner, helping in any way I can. It is important to keep the lines of communication open.

On a side note - none of the three girls I got from Kelli were shipped anywhere.

I have donated a couple of animals in the past to vet techs. They were not killed, in fact I still get to see them once in awhile. I know I did the right thing and the vet techs were able to learn from the experience of aiding a reptile and they had a neat new pet. Everyone may not agree with this, but I feel in my heart that it was a happy ending. They got 24 hour professional care, which is more than I could have ever given them even if I took them in every day to see the vet.

One small problem with the "laura does it for money" theory - that would be the fact that I lose money when I resell the animals. In order for that theory to work - and it is a good theory - I would have to make a profit. I can't make a profit in the red.
It would make better business sense to buy animals wholesale and sell them retail on a full time basis. I don't have the space in my house for this, plus I am not a pet store, nor do I want to be.

Best to you all.
G'night.

 

[robin d.]

i call bull<font color=red>[**censored**]</font> on the whole thing...........

Even in my ads I will state where the animal was acquired from - that way people know I did not produce said animal

well you sure didnt when you were trying to sell kelllis stripers only animals i have ever seen you give credit for it the UG's
if you did some reasearch you would find that nitribac is the best for stomache flora........... i mean a yeast infectuion?? never heard of that while i am sure it does or had happen. i think you might get better resulkts using monistat 7 that yogurt LOL and this is not the first time you have mentioned yeast infection. PROPER HUSBANDRY

4.) Mini reptile mill - hmm...would that it was true...if so, surely I would make money. I don't mass produce animals...don't have enough animals to mass produce anything....and don't make a profit on those animals I purchase that I choose to part with.

ok what about a wanna be breeder.broker thats revolving door just never stiops... one thing in one thing out

When I have a child that needs to go to the doctor, I will sell animals, if I have severe car problems, I will sell animals, if I need emergency funding, I will sell animals. My paycheck, not that it is anyone's concern, is only enough to pay my share of the rent, my car payment, and food stuffs. My animals must cover all other needs that my husband cannot cover himself

dont even go there... if you have ill chuildren dont spend there health care money, it's simple.. and what you dont think anyone else out there has problems too but ya sure dont see them doing this...... <font color=red>[**censored**]</font>m i found out last month i am litterally going blind and chances are i might have ti have a double corneal transplat, if they even consider me as a candidate... if not the clock ticks and i wait til i lose my vision totally.. but ya know what? you dont hear me using it as an excuse i work full time as does my husband.. please have problems and if you cant handle it then you shoulldnt be doing.
i think you need to get your priorities in line and for god's sake just fade away and get out of herp... peeople like you make the good guys look bad

 

[E2MacPets]

But, this has happened and I will no longer give away any animals regardless the reasons.

Thank you for your concern...they will be removed and given away.

First quote is from above, second quote is from the other thread on you in regards to your eyeless leopard geckos that you list on your breeder page. Both these quotes are from the same time.

It's amazing, you just say what you think people want to hear and have a flair for the melodramatic.

 

[The BoidSmith]

Yogurt takes forever to work in humans and would take many times longer to work in reptiles with their slow metabolisms.

This is just to make one point clear as it's not the first time I've heard on the BOI that yogurt should be used to replenish body fluids and/or ad enzymes to reptiles.

Let's put it in simple terms. All reptiles are "lactose itolerant", the reason being that they lack the enzyme (lactase) in their system to break down lactose (two sugars linked together) into simple sugars for absorption. The same goes for table sugar (sucrose), a two-sugar compound that needs a specific enzyme (not present in reptiles) to be broken down in simple sugars for absorption.

Lactose or sucrose administered to a reptile results in unabsorbed lactose and sucrose in the lower gut. This results in two things. First, water is being drawn from the body into the gut which results in watery feces (thus the dehydration problem gets worse). Secondly the undigested sugars lead to proliferation of undesirable bacteria (that ferment them in the gut) which leads to bloating. Third, there are no enzymes in yogurt that will benefit reptiles.

A yeast infection requires a specific yeast treatment. A dehydration problem is worsened by administering yogurt. The benefitial hydration effects of the water present in yogurt are negated by the adverse effects of the fermentation of the sugars in the lower gut.

If you have a dehydration problem take the animal to the vet or use an electrolyte-rich beverage to increase hydration and mineral losses.

Thanks.

 

[beakgeek]

What was an issue is the hours I'm currently working. I cannot afford to take a day off for this.

If you don't have the time to care for your animals then do the right thing and give them to someone who can devote the time.

Would you do the same with children?? "I'm sorry my kids are starving officer, but I work long hours and don't have time to take them to the doctor."

Terry Brashear

 

[ShannanD25]

Laura,
I am very happy with the other "kids" they are beautiful and top grade. I was upset at the Patternless being so thin but as you had told me she was, that was fine and understood. It was the hookworm fecal result which had me go "whoa" maybe I need to send them all back, (paranoia) what if they all have it, and all my leos get it, and then I get it, and then the cats get it and blah blah....But with all the responses I have seen , this was not intentional and I am at ease knowing the others are probably free of hookworms. I am just going to treat them as a precaution. The Albinos are Giants, to answer someone's question from earlier, there is no mistaking the size difference! The Urban is beautiful. Tank the man eating beardie is already wanting a piece of the cat, and the Bibron...well it just sticks to the glass and looks at you....but I think that is what they do! There is a vet a bit farther away from me who is great with reptiles. With her reduced weight, I feel safer not self medicating and letting him check her out in case it is a double whammy of hookworm and yeast infection.

Laura has graciously sent me $100 to cover vet bills which speaks greatly for her. There was no need as the Patternless was a freebie but it will be used to treat the hookworm and the remainder sent back, with receipt, so it can speak for me as well.

 

[odatria]

Laura has graciously sent me $100 to cover vet bills which speaks greatly for her. There was no need as the Patternless was a freebie but it will be used to treat the hookworm and the remainder sent back, with receipt, so it can speak for me as well.

Shannan, thats not graciousness. Thats getting exposed on the BOI and trying to pay $100 to make it go away.

Graciousness is defined as full of tact, kindness, and politeness.

tact=Acute sensitivity to what is proper and appropriate in dealing with others.

Uhmmmmmm........No.

 

[Lucille]

I am new to the BOI but just wanted to say that I have recently done business with Laura. She sold me a beautiful pair of boas and was very nice about answering all of my questions. I met her special needs daughter and Laura works very very hard to provide her with the things she needs. I remember when I first called her home I was told she would be at work until 11PM, I did call her at work and she took the time to talk to me. I do not have lots of experience like the rest of you, I am not a breeder or a business person, but I am happy with my beautiful boas.

 

[Vince]

I dont know anything about starlight specialities behond this thread. like about eyeless leos or anything like that. but i do belive that offering up 100 dollars for the treatment of the leos is much much more then a lot of others would do. if she would of done this if the BOI wasnt here we may never know.

good luck with all your leos , hope the sick one pulls threw.

 

[Starlight_Specialties]

1.) Giving the eyelid geckos away to family members is not the same as giving them to the public. But, I suppose I will charge them a dollar each so that they feel good about having something they purchased and I'm sure they will take better care of something they purchased rather than something they are given. Thank you for pointing that out. I have never had a moment's problem with either of these two females, but will get fecals as a precaution before I take them to the kids.

2.) If you don't have the time to care for your animals then do the right thing and give them to someone who can devote the time. - A.) As I stated previously I do take them in on my first available day off. The vet can attest to seeing my animals. I am supposed to have Thursday off and will be taking them in for fecals.

Would you do the same with children?? "I'm sorry my kids are starving officer, but I work long hours and don't have time to take them to the doctor."
A.) I believe I already talked about this. I DO take time off if my children need to be seen. Now you are being petty.

Yeast infection:
Again, I did not say this Leo had a yeast infection. If I'd have kept her, she'd be going in Thursday with the others. I scheduled this appointment two weeks ago when I found out I was getting the day off, mainly for her, but I will take someone else for that fecal.

Also, I did say I was feeding a mixture. Yogurt played a very small part. Bene-bac was also being used. Parazap, baby food, calcium, repta-aid, etc. This doesn't replace medication - but I do what I can for them until they can be seen. If they show improvement, they will still be taken in for a fecal. that way, if meds are needed I will have a prescription waiting - but if they can be cured with out the harmful effects of many meds, I will do that too. The animal I purchased with a yeast infection was treated by a vet - the mixture is only to tide them over until they can be seen. I was told yogurt was ok, if I should not use it, I will remove it from my mixture. Thank you for letting me know this. .

Robin -
Actually I did tell the people interested in them where they came from. I had no BOLD stripes, there is no way I could have produced them. It never entered my mind to claim I did. A young couple locally took them and were quite excited by them.

If I do not post directly in the ad where an animal came from, it can usually be found at my website - If I know their background, it will be posted. Back then I was only getting my website put up, but I still told the purchaser.

The only animals are the UG's? Hmm...I seem to recall that I have an Albey's female up too. Why wouldn't I tell someone where they came from? Even if I produce a baby, I will say what lines they are from, what the parents were. I think this is important.

Not that it is anyone's business, but we (my husband included) do not have health insurance, too many pre-existing conditions (oh dear, am I being honest again?), we have a certain amount set aside for emergency health care, but sometimes that is not enough. My choices are 1.) let the medical bills pile up, in which case they may refuse to see us, 2.) Hook on the side of the street (this is morally wrong), 3.) Liquidate something.

If I did not sell enough of what I bred myself to offset the cost of having to sell what I purchased, I would not keep reptiles. Whether you wish to see it or not, I've had a lot of very happy customers. I have gone out of my way for more customers than you could ever know about. that would be a whole other topic. Regardless what you think of me, my top priority is what they think of me. The know what I have done for them and that is what is important.

I am truly sorry for your vision problems, I would be terrified to lose my vision. I wouldn't wish that on anybody. I more than understand that we all have to deal with issues, I really do understand that. I have one daughter with autism, one with severe asthma, a husband with asthma & a slipped, deteriorating disk, I have a heart murmur, displaced organs, a unidentifiable back problem resulting in a chronic pinched nerve, and as of a couple days ago several broken toes. Both breast cancer and diabetes runs in my birth mother's line (I was adopted), so I have that to possibly look forward to as well. We are dealt with the cards we are dealt, that is life. If I sold off everything, the money would only go so far - then I would have nothing left to fall back on. Breeding and having these animals gives me a bit more cushion when needed. Plus, they are a joy to watch and interact with. When I am teaching, I will take them to school and allow the kids to become more knowledgeable about reptiles. I have reached many children in this manner. I do not think I have done the reptile industry a great disservice. But, you are entitled to think so.

I am not using my work as an excuse, as I said, I go to the vet around my work on my day off, when my day off coincides with the vet being open.

One final note - my typing here will always be clean enough for even the youngest viewers to read; that is my responsibility as a poster. I will never call a person names speak as though they were so much trash. If I have a problem with a customer or seller, I will state things as mildly and as accurately as I can. If I disagree, I will disagree politely. In all matters I pride my self on my politeness and strive to always show respect. This is just my opinion on how things should be handled. I am entitled to this opinion, just as you are entitled to respond how you have.

 

[Vince]

i dont know if this is off topic or not, the thread is feed back on starlight, so i have a question that may help clearing stuff up.

whats going on with all these no eye , or no eyelid geckos and kink taild leos( i have seen a lot of people selling leos with kink tails) but no eyes and no eyelids? soungs like dr frankinstiens lab over there , whats going on?

 

[Starlight_Specialties]

I would have.

I have gone out of my way for many customers...it is how I do things.

A customer said a year or so ago that his shipment arrived dead. I refunded the whole amount even though I received no bodies..he sent a package it never arrived...I refunded.

One customer purchased a male dragon from me, found out the one he had was a male, I took him back and sent him a higher priced female with out charging him more.

I still email and talk to customers I did business with years ago, just to see how things are going.

One customer bought a baby beardie, injured it, I took it back and gave them another, older dragon.

One customer purchased a pair of 100% het albinos from me last year, that came from James W. Arnold, and I guaranteed that I would buy them back at what he paid if they did not throw albino babies. I should know later this season or next if I owe him the money.

I will spend hours answering a single person's questions with out getting frustrated, even if I know they are not going to buy from me. I have several people who have emailed me or called me just to have general questions answered.

I have incubated others eggs at no cost and given them the babies upon hatching or when they are eating well.

I've purchased back animals I have sold when I can or help them to find buyers when if I do not have the funds to purchase them.

One customer was unfamiliar with Leo care, disregarded info given and became paranoid over things. I offered to take the hatchling Leos back (they were given to him free to post pics for me, which isn't going to happen anyway), raise them to a larger size, and return them to him, free of charge. I should not have given the hatchlings to a newbie, my fault entirely, but would have worked with him even if that was not the case.

The list can go on, but it is sickening to read. My husband is angry at me for being such a "door mat", and wastes not time telling me such. Well, he is always angry, as he hates reptiles, so I don't mind so much. )

The gentleman who helped put up my site - I gave him a high end female Leo for it. Well, he went out of his way for me a time or two and I gave him an additional animal in kind. He did not ask for one, and was stunned when I offered.

Granted I am not always in a position to do the things I've done above, but if I can, I will go out of my way to help others.

I know many people do the same things, I am not claiming I am anything special in this regard, what I am saying is that I do go out of my way for people, be them customers or strangers. I most certainly would have worked with shannan in any regards.

Vince -
I did not create the kinked eyelid geckos. I am not running a deformed freak show...as it seemed like you were implying with your Frankenstein comment. I got them from a well known breeder. I only wanted to know if it is genetic or due to a temp spike during the egg roast. I would have thought the gecko community would want to know for sure. I was mistaken. I am the only one who wants to know; I stand alone. So, we will not learn the truth for sure, at least it won't be by me.

 

[Starlight_Specialties]

It all boils down to two facts

1.) Laura gave away a free animal that was later diagnosed with hookworms. I covered the medical costs of that free leo.

2.) Laura has sold and is selling animals she purchased from other people. Haven't we all. Well, most of us in any regards. On top of that, I generally lose money when I resell. My only real profit comes from selling what I have produced.

Now, you can go on about how horrible I am for these things, it is your perogative, your right.

I'm sorry if you are slighted or hurt in anyway because I have not kept your animal. I know not everyone has kept every animal I have sold them. There are a couple of animals I've sold that I want back badly...if they are ever sold I would like a first chance at them. I did not get that chance with a beardie I had wanted to get back. Sultan was sold again w/o my knowing it. Yes, it hurt..but, I made the choice to sell him and must live with the consequences, even if they are not what I wanted for the animal.

Sorry, I did not mean to go on, I meant to stop with the 2 facts.

Well, friends and fellow herpers, it has been entertaining and diverting, but I've got a life to live now. I wish you happy herping endeavors and bid you adieu.

If you wish to discuss anything else with me (I know that is not as much fun as what can go on here) ), please feel free to email me. I will do my best to answer any questions or comments.

Adieu mon ami.

 

[flammingcat]

I very seldom ever respond to any of the threads just read them....but I think what laura did was a great thing, and No one has even giver her the credit for it...sorry I think 1 person did..she seems to be very honest, maybe everyone doesn't go around giving the reason they are selling animals is to cover a bill, that doesn't mean she is to poor to take care of them, or isn't taking care of them right,,everyone is in the buisness for money, it may be there bhooby and they do it for fun, but there is still money involved, if not they would give them away. Yes it was a mistake sending the gecko that had hook worms, she admitted that...she aslo went way overboard in helping the matter, she offered to refund for all of them, but instead she sent her 100.00 to pay for the medical bills for a free gecko, I'm sure not many people at all would have done that,,,there might be some things that she does not all of you agree with, but not everyone is perfect, that doesn't make her a bad guy, I have never done any kind of buisness with her, I just read these threads, and they way everyone is treating her is wrong! There was a woman a while back on here that sent a big snake, in a way no snake should ever be shipped, everyone was going off on what kind of person could have done something like that, then once the name was revealed, it was someone you all knew, she had family problems, she was sorry, it was over and done with, and no one said a bad word about her, becuase they all knew her...I think the BOI is a great thing, but sometimes I think people go way over board and are just out and out mean to some people. Tha may sound childish or what ever, but to me Laura has explained in detail, and answered everyones questions, over a free gecko, she done way more than what most people would do to help the problem, she deserves some credit! Both her and the buyer seem to be happy, so leave it alone
Shannon hall

 

[Exces]

My experience with Laura

I don't know Laura personally, and have had only one deal with her which was last week. I bought a red desert sub-adult from her which looked super red in the picture, but turned out to be more of a rusty orange-red in overall appearance. It could be that he is starting to shed, so there are no worries at this point. If for some reason his color doesn't lighten up, he's part of the family now and it doesn't really matter.

That being said, I dont think I've met a more polite and friendly person (aside from Dana Pennebaker at Sundial) to talk to about reptiles. She genuinely seems to care about her animals and wants her customers to be happy with what they get. When I emailed her about the color, she was prompt and friendly in her return email and offered a full refund if I wasn't happy. At no time was she hateful, rude or obnoxious in any way. It seemed like a sincere desire to make things right if I was unhappy.

The ONLY problem I had was the color, and again it might not even be an issue after his next shed. His weight, size, appetite, demeanor, etc were better than I had expected. Overall I would give her a passing grade, and to think she doesn't care about the reptiles she keeps seems far fetched to me. Thats just my opinion though. I wouldn't hesitate to do business with her again.

Matt Taylor
(404)925-6600
[email protected]

 

[Wilomn]

It seems to me that Laura has handled things pretty well. Sure I have a little hiccup in the back of my mind about how long she had some of the animals she's had before she's sold them but, there are no big red flags waving.

Some of us have thrown some pretty hard accusations at her and she's remained cool and calm and factual. Much more so than many who have proven themselves bad guys.

I say give her some time and see what happens. If she happened to have something I wanted I'd give it shot.

As far as the eyelid problem, if you breed them and then breed the babies back together you should be able to tell whether it's geneitic or not. It will take time but it will answer your question.

I think maybe her timing hasn't always been the best. I also think I haven't seen any bad guy threads on her and she seems to have been around a reasonable amount of time and produced a reasonable amount of animals.

Time will tell on this one.

Wes Pollock

 

[KelliH]

being mean

I think the BOI is a great thing, but sometimes I think people go way over board and are just out and out mean to some people.

Shannon,

Sometimes the truth hurts, and maybe it does seem like some of us are being mean to her. I didn't like posting here about her at all but she has done some things that, in my opinion, were not done in an honest fashion. In fact she was dishonest with me regarding some animals I came very close to buying from her. Or maybe she just left out some facts that were very important. However you want to look at it, I just wanted people to know. I may let someone get away with lying to me once, MAYBE, but twice? No way. Dishonesty should not be tolerated in the reptile business, period. She may be the nicest person to talk with in the world but that does not make it ok to misrepresent animals. Or does it?

 

[KelliH]

BTW

I did pm Laura about the het albino fat tails I am speaking of. I wanted to give her a chance to explain about it. I had not intended to post again but wanted to bring that up again in the thread. Here is what I pm'ed her last night:

I'm done posting in the thread. You say you are always honest. Fine. I think you sometimes try to mislead people in your hurry to sell. You used that patternless as a gimmick of sorts (bad word, can't think of another right now) to get someone to buy your others.

Also, what about the fat tails I almost bought from you? That you never told me were not even in your possesion when we spoke on the phone for half an hour. Isn't that lying? Or is that just leaving out the truth?

I am not a mean spirited person but I do not like being misled.

Kelli Hammack

 

[Wilomn]

Kelli, you are completely right about the honesty thing. If she can't or won't be honest then there is no room for her in the reptile business as far as I'm concerned. However, if she can be truthful, she seems to have some redeeming qualities that would be worth fostering.

Laura, I sure hope you embrace honesty as a way of life and don't go all "used car saleman" on us. There are way too many of those here already.

Wes Pollock

 

[KelliH]

Wes,

That's what I feel too! I can overlook almost any other fault other than dishonesty. I sincerely hope this thread does some good, for all.