Jess&Marine

Hey there, I walked into a reptile store about a month ago and decided to be brave. (I have not held a reptile in many years). The reptile was a one year old male veiled chameleon named Lars. He was walking around on my rotating hands and I felt... Calm. My mind was quiet. I found myself deeply captivated by him. I wanted to learn more about veiled chameleons. He wasn't for sale. The owner of the shop, now my friend, told me he was getting three male veiled chameleons that are three months old in soon. I paid for one and when the time came, I would be able to adopt one. I walked in the shop again, about a week later and he told me the males hadn't arrived yet. I was bummed, but then he told me about his friend getting out of the reptile industry and giving him a three year old male veiled chameleon. He asked if I wanted to feel him out. I gladly accepted. He brought him out and if looks could kill... This little guy was GRUMPY. He was tense, cautious and he death gripped my arm and hands. He hissed and lunged at me with almost every little move I made. Gradually, he calmed down and sat on top of my head for a good long while. He had lightened up his colors and was climbing down my face and everything. And then I saw it. His heart birthmark. I fell in love. Right then and there. I knew this little grump was coming home with me. It only took one week. One week for us to bond. I was terrified to bring him out of his enclosure. He would hiss and lunge at me. Now, though, he sees me coming and he is pawing at his enclosure door begging to be let out. Everything is on his terms, as it should be! He allows me to pet him anywhere on his body now and hold him any way. In just one week! He is an absolute sweetheart. I cried my eyes out, hyperventilating about him passing away because he is already three years old and at most, chameleons live to be ten years. I truly want to spend forever with him. I truly do. I named him Marine.