Dragon's Den: Goober the Lizard Conquers the Stairs
A photo editor shares home office space with a bearded dragon. Here’s how they handle naps, play and conference calls
Brenna Malmberg
17 February 2018
Goober the lizard lives with a photo editor, who also practices her photography skills on her reptile.
Photos by Beth Teutschmann
Pet at a Glance
Pet: Goober, a bearded dragon lizard
Age: 1½ years
Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
Owner: Beth Teutschmann, professional photography editor and owner of Starboard Editing
Meet Goober
She’s a laid-back lizard who lazes around and slowly explores every nook and cranny of Teutschmann’s home. She’s been on these adventures around the house ever since Teutschmann got the lizard a year ago.
Pet at a Glance
Pet: Goober, a bearded dragon lizard
Age: 1½ years
Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
Owner: Beth Teutschmann, professional photography editor and owner of Starboard Editing
Meet Goober
She’s a laid-back lizard who lazes around and slowly explores every nook and cranny of Teutschmann’s home. She’s been on these adventures around the house ever since Teutschmann got the lizard a year ago.
Favourite place at home
Goober can be found poking her head between the balusters and climbing around on the stairs.
“I think she thinks she’s going places and just overall curious about what’s down the stairs,” says Teutschmann.
Goober can be found poking her head between the balusters and climbing around on the stairs.
“I think she thinks she’s going places and just overall curious about what’s down the stairs,” says Teutschmann.
Lizard photography
Good lighting is key for capturing nice photos of Goober, says Teutschmann. The house has a large window at the top of the stairs that lets in ample natural light throughout the day. Plus, when Goober stands in the light at the top of the landing, Teutschmann can go sit on the stairs and photograph her. This lets her get down on Goober’s level while taking photos.
Good lighting is key for capturing nice photos of Goober, says Teutschmann. The house has a large window at the top of the stairs that lets in ample natural light throughout the day. Plus, when Goober stands in the light at the top of the landing, Teutschmann can go sit on the stairs and photograph her. This lets her get down on Goober’s level while taking photos.
On the job
Teutschmann runs her photo editing business from home, and Goober is never far away while she works. The lizard has a tank behind the desk. In her little home, she can nap, eat bugs and soak in the warmth of her heat lamp. You can see her tucked in the corner, hiding behind her rock. For extra entertainment while she works, Teutschmann sings songs for Goober. “Not good songs, but songs like, ‘My name is Goober, sitting under my heat lamp, eating my bugs because I love them!’” she says.
Teutschmann runs her photo editing business from home, and Goober is never far away while she works. The lizard has a tank behind the desk. In her little home, she can nap, eat bugs and soak in the warmth of her heat lamp. You can see her tucked in the corner, hiding behind her rock. For extra entertainment while she works, Teutschmann sings songs for Goober. “Not good songs, but songs like, ‘My name is Goober, sitting under my heat lamp, eating my bugs because I love them!’” she says.
Office interruptions
When Teutschmann takes video calls at her desk, Goober tends to jump around and make a lot of noise. “So I’ll have her sit on my shoulder during meetings,” says Teutschmann. “Most people think it’s pretty cute.”
When Teutschmann takes video calls at her desk, Goober tends to jump around and make a lot of noise. “So I’ll have her sit on my shoulder during meetings,” says Teutschmann. “Most people think it’s pretty cute.”
Break time
An adventure around the office. Teutschmann lets Goober out of the tank, and she will run around the room for a while and then find a cool corner to sleep in while her owner keeps editing photos.
Payment method
Bugs, or strawberries and blueberries. “I feed her with a fork because she’s so lazy and generally only eats her fruits and vegies if I put it right in front of her,” says Teutschmann.
An adventure around the office. Teutschmann lets Goober out of the tank, and she will run around the room for a while and then find a cool corner to sleep in while her owner keeps editing photos.
Payment method
Bugs, or strawberries and blueberries. “I feed her with a fork because she’s so lazy and generally only eats her fruits and vegies if I put it right in front of her,” says Teutschmann.
Favourite part of the workday
Food time or when she’s let free to roam. “She has full rein of the house when she’s loose,” says Teutschmann. “Though oftentimes when she gets too cool, she will curl up in the corner under my desk.”
Food time or when she’s let free to roam. “She has full rein of the house when she’s loose,” says Teutschmann. “Though oftentimes when she gets too cool, she will curl up in the corner under my desk.”
Bath time
About every other week, Goober takes a bath. It keeps her clean and helps her go to the bathroom, says Teutschmann.
About every other week, Goober takes a bath. It keeps her clean and helps her go to the bathroom, says Teutschmann.
She takes a bath in a little white tub filled with warm water. Teutschmann just lets her splash around in the water for a while.
“She really kinda hates it,” says Teutschmann, “and tries to get out.”
Outdoor adventures
Goober goes outside occasionally to sunbathe. But she doesn’t go frequently, says Teutschmann, because Goober gets scared of birds. Teutschmann also keeps her on a leash so she doesn’t run away. “They are fast when they wanna be,” she says.
Back inside
When the workday ends, Goober curls up on Teutschmann’s lap while she watches movies and relaxes.
Tell us
Have you designed a room – or your whole house – around a pet? Please share a photo in the Comments, and if you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about pets at home
Goober goes outside occasionally to sunbathe. But she doesn’t go frequently, says Teutschmann, because Goober gets scared of birds. Teutschmann also keeps her on a leash so she doesn’t run away. “They are fast when they wanna be,” she says.
Back inside
When the workday ends, Goober curls up on Teutschmann’s lap while she watches movies and relaxes.
Tell us
Have you designed a room – or your whole house – around a pet? Please share a photo in the Comments, and if you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about pets at home
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I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I only own cats (though I do rear orphaned possums, who are just as cute as Goober, IMHO).
I once house-sat a gorgeous two-storey house for three weeks. My young boycat quickly learned that a little platform that hung out over the staircase was a great spot to sit on, in order to bat me on the head as I came upstairs. I resolved then and there that when I built my own house it would have to be two-storey, just for the cats.
I've now been in my tiny two-storey house for 18 years. I've received well-meaning advice from older people assuring me that I'll regret these stairs as I age, but in fact they not only please the cats, they help me stave off age-related physical deterioration, I reckon.
@Maureen Lisle - you'll probably have metallic skinks at least, perhaps a nice blue-tongue or two?