Tuesday With MeMe

I LOST A FRIEND

This is some type of lizard.  He has made his home under my shed for several years.  Everyday he came out and climbed up on this stone on my patio near my back door.  Sometimes old folks talk to themselves or things that may not understand.  I talked to  him every time he was out there.  He did not seem to be scared of me.  Just sat there and listened.

One day my son and his wife were here and we were in the backyard working.  He was sitting on his usual spot and did not seem to mind I had company. However, for the first time, he decided to act up.  When the door was opened, he darted into the house.  He had never done that before.  My daughter-in-law and I chased him all over the house.  He was faster and smarter.  Would get into places we could not reach him. After a period of hiding, he finally came out and we were in the right place to run him back outside. (Had left the back door opened just in case.) Of course, after that ordeal he hightailed back under the shed.

Needless to say, he did not stay away long..  The next day he was back as usual. We continued to  meet and visit. Then one day, he decided since I was alone, he would come inside again.  I have no idea how he got by me, but he did. He was even smarter this time since he had been in before.  I closed all the doors to the rest of the house.  We went round and round, but I could not get him near the door. I did not cherish the thought of him being in the house at all especially after dark. He probably would not have hurt me, but just the idea of him actually touching me was just to much. Sorry to say, I felt  more drastic action was needed. I got a can of Raid.  Every time he showed himself, I would give him a spray.  This went on for hours.  Finally he had gotten enough of the Raid to slow him down.  Even then, he would run and hide.  I kept this up until I think I was worn out more than he was.  I finally got him so dazed, he eased out and I threw a towel over him.  He was not strong enough to crawl from under it.  I picked him  up with the towel and put him back outside in the grass. I checked on him every once in awhile. The next day when I checked, he was not there.  I am assuming something got him or he possibly survived and left. My son said Raid would not have killed him.

Several weeks went by after this ordeal, and another one came up to my patio.  It was smaller, but looked like the other one.  I took it to be his mate.  When I went out, it took off in a hurry. I miss him but just could not stand the idea of him being in the house with me. I did not intend to kill him.  Wherever he is, may he rest in peace.