Photo: AOL.com
One thing that ties all these stories together is that they are pet stories. They show that reptiles are loved parts of a family, something we already know! Each time we take the illusion away that reptiles are scary, we make headway in every single legal battle and we create allies.

We are still trying to figure out exactly how the tortoise got into the trash, but it is amazing how many people came together to help get Zuma, the 90-year-old pet tortoise, home and safe!

Staff immediately stepped in, tracking the location of the truck likely carrying the much-loved tortoise.
Joiner rushed to the waste center, and, with the help of city workers, sorted through the roughly 1,000 bags in the truck's bin using thermal imaging camera.

You can see the rest of the story, including a video at aol.com.




Pet fashion shows are nothing new! My own dogs were the Master of Ceremonies at one in my town in fact, but none of my reptiles have ever been in one. I know Tom Crutchfield has more lizard costumes than some people have dog clothes, so it comes as no surprise to me that a pet Bearded Dragon took the championship! Logan West and his pet Bearded Dragon took the youth division with this awesome team costume. For the full story and to see all the fashionable pets, pop over to Seguingazette.com. Photo: seguingazette.com




"Clear the shelter" adoption events are very common! It brings a ton of people into their local humane society to look at a new pet. They are warm and fuzzy stories that always give you those feels inside, you know the warm and fuzzies? Yeah... However when was the last time you heard someone squeal about their new pet iguana adopted at a "clear the shelter" event? That stops now, here is your warm and fuzzy good feeling ending.

After learning about Clear the Shelters in an email from the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League, Henderson-O'Keefe decided go to the shelter in advance Thursday with Peirman and her daughter, Eldie, 12, to look around.
That's when Peirman met Charizard, an iguana named after a Pokemon character.
"He really responded to the iguana," Henderson-O'Keefe said.
Peirman scratched Charizard's neck to remove a layer of skin she was shedding, and Henderson-O'Keefe said when her son picked up Charizard, the iguana crawled onto his shoulder.

The story is well worth making it a part of your pick-me-up today. To read the full article and see the video, head on over to NBCWashington.com.