This is just something I have noticed in this thread and all those that have transpired.
Alot of people seem to be almost condoning this kid's irresponsibility because of him being only 14. I know that everyone is not like me, but at 14, I knew how to pick up a book and read. I also knew how to fully accept help and suggestions with my animals when I was that age when it was pointed out I was doing something wrong(I am STILL that way now). I also knew how to spell properly and type, but I won't go into that:\
I guess what I am saying is that by taking these animals in, and then by trying to sell them, he has stepped into the adult world of responsibility. Although he appears to be taking and listening to advice at this point(finally), I feel that he is still being given the opportunity to further shirk his responsibility to these animals. Let me explain why I think this.
For starters, everyone is out to help him and answer questions for the sake of his animals. Very commendable. However, he is not having to do any of the research and reading himself. It is all being handed to him on a silver platter and a few people are bending over backwards to give it to him. I do LOTS of research when I start with a new animal(I spent months reading up on leopards before I got any). I just feel that he is not being forced to respect any of the information being given him since there is no work involved on his part to get it. Although buying a book or reading caresheets online may not be that hard, I think there is an air of respect that is lost when people are falling over themselves to give him the information he has failed to find on his own.
And the thing that REALLY bugs me, although very thoughtful and of course in the best interest of his geckos, is that people are willing to send him free supplies and even come to his home to help him. It is simple, if he cannot afford to properly care for his animals, he does not need them. It is harsh, but true. I hit a point in my life a couple years ago when I could not properly care for all of my animals and I got rid of almost everything except the two or three things I could still take care of. It really hurt and sucked to do it, but it had to be done in the best interests of the animals. So now, this kid is getting the message that, if he cannot properly care for his geckos, someone will come along and GIVE him what he needs to take care of them and he doesn't have to do anything for it. Is that what we want to teach him about the world? When you screw up, someone will come along and fix it and make it better, but you don't have to do anything YOURSELF to fix it?
Last thing and I will leave this alone. If his living situation is such that his parents either will not or cannot give him money for animals and their necessities(or he can't earn it himself), then he doesn't need them. I was at a show a few months ago and watched a woman come in ranting and raving and trying to get refunds because her daughter's snakes died while they were living in a shelter for a couple of months. Did THEY need those animals at that point?! Hell NO! If his situation does not facilitate the proper maintenance of his geckos, he needs to part with them and start over when things are better for it.
Randy, I truly hope you don't think I or anyone else here is out to get you, but you have to realize the situation you have gotten yourself into here with your geckos. If you think you are adult enough to try and make a business out of your hobby, then you should be able to be adult enough to realize when you have messed up, and be adult enough to realize you have to take responsibility for your own actions.
