My friend won’t let me bring my gecko to her house. Aibu?

[IndraOnTheMountain]

I’m going to visit my friend for the weekend soon with my kids.

We have to look after the school gecko for half term, so I asked if we could bring him with us. He’s very small and his tank is only shoe box sized so this seemed quite reasonable to me.

She responded in an extremely abrupt way to say that I couldn’t bring him and would need to find another arrangement. She was particularly irate about the idea I would need to bring live crickets to feed him with. I reassured her that feeding geckos crickets is totally ethical, and that they are in an escape proof container but she was resolute. Tbh I think she was drunk.

I feel really hurt that she wouldn’t allow what seems like quite a small request! If she wanted to bring her gecko to my house I would be totally okay with that. It’s very inconvenient for me too, I think that she just doesn’t value my time or friendship. I’m already having to make arrangements for my dog and chickens when we go to visit so the gecko is just a step too far.

Aibu?

[oatlattetogo]

I do think it’s ridiculous that she won’t let you bring it when it will take up barely any space and won’t cause any inconvenience. It’s not like it’s a dog or a cat.

It is her house though, so if she’s said you can’t bring the gecko then you can’t bring the gecko. I guess if you’ve promised you’ll look after it then you can’t go see your friend?

[GreyhoundG1rl]

God almighty, grow up

[Howshouldibehave]

Her house, her choice!

Can’t you invite her to stay at yours instead?

[WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor]

Geckos are sensitive they should be moved around being looked after by different kids. It should also be in a much larger enclosure. Why anyone would think a lizard it a good class pet is beyond me. I’m surprised how many people would mind you bringing a pet though.

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

I won't have the gecko but I'd love to have your chickens pop in

[BewareTheBeardedDragon]

My nephew had a gecko and the crickets would regularly escape and then chirp all bloody night when we were staying there. Which was both annoying and gross.

Ds used to have a bearded dragon, and no matter how careful we were crickets still occasionally got out and after the BD moved on, months later, I found a dead one hidden away behind some furniture.

Again, icky annoying and gross - no one should be obliged to have live bloody crickets in their house.

If her objection is ethical - well, personally I never felt 100% comfortable about it, but regardless - her house her rules.

YABVVVU and I think you know it.

[NailsNeedDoing]

If your son won’t be able to look after the gecko, tell the teacher so she can let someone else have a turn at looking after it. There’s probably loads of kids in the class that would love to have the gecko, no need to inconvenience someone else.

[TwoLeftSocksWithHoles]

I had exactly the same problem when I was looking after the school crocodile and wanted to visit my friend who has a sheep farm.
I told her that I'd bring my own carcasses to feed it but oh no that wasn't 'acceptable'.
It made me laugh though as she was the one that got all snappy over it.

[endofthelinefinally]

I am pretty shocked the poor gecko is in a tank the size of a shoe box. That is cruel.

[yossell]

If it's Gordon Gecko I can see her point.

[BewareTheBeardedDragon]

Presume someone is coming in to feed and care for chickens? Just ask them to do gecko as well. And yes - gecko needs a bigger viv. You should tell school. I think the bigger ethical issue is treating a live animal like a prop for kids to use as a holiday project and no vetting whether the house it's randomly going to in the holidays is in any way suitable. You should raise that with school.

[BewareTheBeardedDragon]

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

I had exactly the same problem when I was looking after the school crocodile and wanted to visit my friend who has a sheep farm.
I told her that I'd bring my own carcasses to feed it but oh no that wasn't 'acceptable'.
It made me laugh though as she was the one that got all snappy over it.

😂🤣😂🤣😂

[Thelikelylass]

My guests normally bring wine or flowers but I'm going to insist on some reptilian gift next time. A bunch of lillies simply won't do.

[DPotter]

I'm stone cold sober and it would be a No from me as well

[MrsTulipTattsyrup]

There’s no way on earth you’d be bringing a gecko AND LIVE CRICKETS into my house. She has every right to say no - it’s a ridiculous thing to ask.

[endofthelinefinally]

A reputable pet shop wouldn't sell a gecko as a school pet. My friend has one and they had to have lessons in how to look after it and satisfy the pet shop that it would live in suitable, peaceful conditions. It can safely go without food for several days as long as it has water, but if they go on holiday it is booked back into the pet shop so it can have proper care.

[TheCanyon]

We've got a gecko, think I'll ask my pals to bring along some crickets next time they come to visit.

What a load of shite.

[Eralos]

If he more concerned the grasshoppers would Escape and I’d have grass hoppers in my house. (I’ve seen this happen before)

[SentDeliveredRead]

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

I had exactly the same problem when I was looking after the school crocodile and wanted to visit my friend who has a sheep farm.
I told her that I'd bring my own carcasses to feed it but oh no that wasn't 'acceptable'.
It made me laugh though as she was the one that got all snappy over it.

Pah, I had the school alligator for the summer holiday. Try getting that on a bus to get to Asda
You have no idea how unreasonable people were

[Couchbettato]

I think I need to get drunk after reading this 😁😁😁

[ThursdayLastWeek]

Goodness, most schools can’t even afford books!

[DameFanny]

There's no such thing as a truly escape-proof cricket box.

Crickets live for ages behind the the fridge. They're bloody loud at night.

[Username7521]

No. I have a fear of geckos. I’ve spent almost full nights of my life hiding from them (generally with my sisters who also are fearful of them).
No to geckos. No no no no

[ThePlumVan]

Imagine the sound of the crickets at night calling to each other ‘love you JohnBoy, good luck for tomorrow’

[Chikapu]

I think someone is definitely drunk. Some people aren't comfortable with reptiles (me included) and don't want them in their house, is that so hard to understand?