Only but a week ago, June 16th, 2001, my fiance and I decided it was time to make the new addition to our family that we had been pondering. We left the house in high spirits and mapped out all the pet stores fairly nearby that covered exotic pets. We were insearch for...Two Perfect Iguanas!

We finally stopped at a place that seemed to have what we were looking for. We walked in the door and after a small discussion with one of the employees, we were directed to a corner where there was a small aquarium with 3 baby iguanas. My fiance started off by holding the most adorable little guy. He seemed to cling to the heat of my fiance's hand and fell asleep there. Instantly, we were decided. He was the first to join the Kaplan Klan. His name would be...Gomez. We also chose another of the litter. A bright-eyed, bright green friend of his. Soon to be named, Morticia. Off we went with Iguanas in hand.

We had their aquarium set up and in they went. Heat provided and learning all we could about health and welfare, we went to work. We did everything we were told. Substrates...leafy greens...clean water...our days were filled. Mornings of warming our babies with UVB's and UVA's and basking lights, afternoons of feedings, and evenings of baths and bedtimes. Our lives and hearts were filled with our new little ones.

We couldn't have been happier..except...Gomez seemed to act a bit different each day that went by. A little slower, a little less alert, a little less...interested. We assumed it was only because of the change of enviroment. All the same, we did all the research we could to find a solution for our little one. Soon, A new aquarium was purchaced and Gomez was placed into it. It was larger and we thought, perhaps Morticia was intimidating him and not letting him eat or drink. This, unfortunately, was not the case. He must have been sick when we adopted him. When I think back, I realize now that the conditions were not the best there. Wrong foods, substrates, light hanging inside the cage, etc..

Yesterday, Gomez seemed to be alittle bit better letting us feed him with an eye dropper. It was the calm before the storm. As soon as he was back in his cage, he didn't move. Just stayed in one spot with his mouth gaping open. We immediately made an emergency appointment with a vet that handled exotic pets. We brought him in and they checked him out. They said there didn't seem to be anything wrong with how we were treating them and Morticia was in good condition. We fed them well...what they ate of it. The vet didn't know what to tell us and sent us home with some antibiotics. ...........We didn't get the chance to give it to him. As soon as we got home, we placed him in his aquarium for some heat. He literally kealed over. I couldn't watch so I left the room while my fiance tried to revive him...to no avail. My fiance and I took our time to grieve (And still are) then placed him in a box that fit him very comfortably. My fiance burried him in the front yard and used one of his decorative rocks as his tomb stone. He was burried near a beautiful old tree that we think he would have really like to climb and the sun shines bright on him everyday. We said our goodbyes and left him in peace.

Our story does not end here, my friends. We still have our beloved Morticia. We've renamed her MorGan. #1 - Out of respect for Gomez, we've placed his first initial in her name so he knows he's never forgotten and always with us. Included in everything we share with MorGan. #2 - Without Gomez, there is no Morticia.

Gomez will live on through MorGan...and in our hearts...always.

Thank you for taking the time to read his story and immortalizing him in your hearts as well.

"We love you, Gomey"

-Love, Mommy, Daddy, & MorGan.