Doc X Pet Shop

07/20/2026

One thing I absolutely love is talking to people about animals.

Animal facts.

Proper setups.

Keeper stories.

Weird natural history.

Random things nobody asked for but I’m going to tell you anyway because animals are cool and my brain has no brakes once the topic starts.

When I was a zookeeper, I loved doing keeper chats.

I loved when guests would ask questions.

I loved explaining why an animal behaved a certain way, how we cared for them, what they ate, where they came from in the wild, and why they mattered.

And yes, I also love telling people weird animal facts.

Like snakes have two hemipenes.

That means two reproductive organs.

You’re welcome. 🤭

One of my favorite memories happened when I was still just an intern at the zoo.

I was carrying a tray of thawed rodents on my way to feed some reptiles, and this little kid holding his grandma’s hand pointed at me and yelled:

“Look grandma! He’s a zookeeper!”

I wasn’t actually a zookeeper yet.

But hearing that?

Man.

That lit me up.

It made me feel like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Another time, I was walking through the zoo carrying a bucket of tortoise p**p.

A group of excited kids ran up to me and asked:

“HEY! Are you about to feed anything?”

And I just grinned and said:

“Nope. This is what comes out after I feed them.”

Their faces.

Classic.

And when I worked at a pet store, I remember going on and on with a customer about bearded dragons.

Their natural history.

Their lighting.

Their heat.

Their enclosure setup.

Their diet.

Why the right care matters.

And when I was done, the customer told me they felt like they were at the zoo and learned so much.

That kind of stuff sticks with me.

Because that’s what I love.

Not just selling an animal.

Not just selling products.

Teaching.

Explaining.

Helping people understand why animals are so incredible and how to care for them the right way.

That is a huge part of what I want Doc X Pet Shop to be.

A place where people can ask questions.

A place where beginners do not feel dumb for learning.

A place where animal care actually matters.

A place where you might come in for crickets and accidentally leave with a full TED Talk about reptiles, husbandry, conservation, and probably one weird animal fact you did not ask for.

Sorry in advance.

Actually, no I’m not.

Be ready. 😄

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home

07/20/2026

Happy National Zookeeper Week to all my friends and former coworkers in the zoo field.

Zookeeping is one of those jobs that people think is just “playing with animals all day.”

And don’t get me wrong…

There are some incredible moments.

Moments that make you stop and think, “I can’t believe I get to do this.”

But there’s also a lot people don’t see.

The early mornings.

The late nights.

The holidays.

The bad weather.

The heavy lifting.

The diets.

The cleaning.

The medical observations.

The keeper notes.

The public questions.

The animal losses.

The pressure of caring for living things that depend on you every single day.

And yes…

A truly impressive amount of p**p.

Like, career-changing amounts of p**p.

But the people who do this work are some of the most dedicated, hardworking, stubborn, passionate animal people you’ll ever meet.

Zookeeping will always have a special place in my heart.

It shaped who I am.

It taught me patience, respect, responsibility, and how much work goes into proper animal care behind the scenes.

To all my friends and former coworkers still doing the work:

Happy National Zookeeper Week.

I hope you know how much your work matters.

The animals may not send thank-you cards…

But they’d probably p**p on one if they could.

And honestly, that would be pretty on brand.

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home

07/19/2026

🔥 Hot Take:

A “cheap” pet does not mean a cheap setup.

Let’s use an anole as an example.

Depending on where you live, you might see green anoles sold for a few dollars. In some southern states, people can even find them outside for free.

But that does not mean you can toss one in a cardboard box, give it a bottle cap of water, and call yourself a reptile keeper.

That little lizard still has needs.

Real needs.

Anoles are active, arboreal lizards. That means they climb, perch, hide, bask, hunt, and use vertical space.

A proper setup should include things like:

A tall enclosure
A heat source
Proper UVB lighting
A thermostat or way to monitor temperatures
Digital thermometer/hygrometer
Gut-loaded feeder insects
Calcium and vitamin supplements
Branches and climbing areas
Hides and cover
Proper substrate to help hold humidity
Live or fake plants
Regular misting or humidity support

And honestly, live plants are even better when done correctly because they help create a more natural, secure environment.

So yes, the lizard might cost $3

But the proper setup?

You could easily be looking at $250+ depending on the enclosure, lighting, heating, decor, plants, feeders, and supplies you choose.

That is why I don’t like when people say:

“It’s just a cheap lizard.”

No.

It is a living animal.

The price tag does not determine the level of care it deserves.

A cheap animal can still need expensive equipment.

A small animal can still need a large space.

A common animal can still have uncommon care requirements.

You could survive in a closet.

But you'd thrive in a mansion.

That is how I look at animal care.

Do not build an enclosure based on how little the animal cost.

Build it based on what the animal actually needs.

Give them the best life you can.

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home

07/17/2026

🐦 Dad Joke & Fun Fact Friday

Dad Joke:

Why do birds fly south for the winter?

Because it’s too far to walk.

Fun Fact:

If you’ve ever walked near a pond, marsh, ditch, or grassy area in Illinois and suddenly felt like a tiny bird was personally trying to ruin your day…

There’s a good chance it was a red-winged blackbird.

Male red-winged blackbirds are extremely territorial during nesting season. They will call, flash their bright red shoulder patches, and sometimes dive-bomb animals or people that get too close to their nesting area.

Basically, they are tiny feathered security guards with anger issues.

And honestly?

Respect.

They may be small, but they protect their territory like they own the whole retention pond behind the Jewel

So next time you see one around Aurora, just remember:

That bird is not being dramatic.

You are clearly trespassing on his extremely important stick-and-grass kingdom.

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home

07/16/2026

Let’s talk about why I don’t do voiceovers on my posts.

I’ve been told my text-heavy posts don’t always get read all the way through.

And honestly… that’s unfortunate.

Because I love making posts about animal facts, business updates, products people should know about, husbandry tips, and all the weird animal information floating around in my brain that has nowhere else to go.

But voiceovers?

I’ll be honest.

I don’t like the sound of my own voice. 😄

I think I sound like Squidward 😩

And I also don’t love reading off a script because my brain immediately turns into:

“T-t-t-today, junior!”

So for now, a lot of my posts are written out because that’s how I explain things best.

But once the store gets closer to opening, there will definitely be videos.

Feeding animals.

Stocking shelves.

Setting up enclosures.

Painting.

Build-out updates.

Me trying to fix things while looking like I definitely watched one YouTube video and became overconfident.

And when you eventually come into Doc X Pet Shop and ask me about animals, products, enclosures, feeders, lighting, heating, or why something is better than another option…

Be ready.

Because I may not love doing voiceovers…

But in person?

I will absolutely talk your ears off.

You came in for crickets and left with a full animal care lecture from Squidward.

That’s customer service. 😂

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home

07/16/2026

Let’s talk about the animal community for a second.

Because as much as I love it…

It can be toxic.

I’ve loved animals my entire life. So, when social media came around and animal groups started forming, I thought it was awesome.

A place to learn?

Ask questions?

Share experiences?

Help other keepers?

Talk about animals with people who actually understand why you’re excited about a turtle eating greens?

Sign me up.

But man…

Some people in the animal world can be downright brutal.

I’ve seen new keepers ask beginner questions and get absolutely torn apart.

And I always think the same thing:

How do people expect beginners to learn if they’re afraid to ask questions?

Everyone started somewhere.

Nobody was born knowing proper UVB placement, humidity ranges, feeder nutrition, quarantine practices, enclosure sizes, substrate options, or how to tell if an animal is actually thriving and not just surviving.

We all had to learn.

We all made mistakes.

We all believed something at one point that later turned out to be outdated, incomplete, or just flat-out wrong.

That does not mean people deserve to be publicly humiliated for trying to learn.

And this goes beyond online groups too.

I’ve been burned by “animal friends” more times than I’d like to think about.

The animal world can be weird that way. A community built around caring for living things can sometimes be filled with people who forget how to talk to other humans.

At the end of the day, the most important thing should be the welfare of the animals.

And here’s the problem:

If a new keeper gets berated online, talked down to at a store, embarrassed at an expo, or treated like an idiot for asking a question…

They may stop asking.

And when people stop asking for help, the animal is the one that suffers in the long run.

Now, don’t get me wrong.

I have absolutely seen setups and care advice that made my eye twitch.

I have heard things that made me want to stare into the distance and question humanity.

There have definitely been times where it took everything in me not to lose my mind.

But belittling people does not change their mind.

It just makes them defensive.

It makes them embarrassed.

It makes them shut down.

And then nothing improves.

If you have experience with a species and you see a new or inexperienced keeper doing something wrong, help them.

Don’t publicly roast them just to look smarter.

Don’t turn someone’s learning moment into your personal victory lap.

Message them privately.

Pull them aside.

Explain what you would change and why.

Give them resources.

Be firm when you need to be, especially when animal welfare is involved, but don’t forget that education works better when people feel like they can actually receive it.

I have had people yell at me and try to question my knowledge because they heard different online or I was only trying to sell them something more expensive to make more money off of them.

But I held my ground and calmly and politely explained to them that my advice is for what was best for the animal.

The goal should be better care.

Not bigger egos.

I want Doc X Pet Shop to be a place where people feel comfortable asking questions.

Beginner questions.

Advanced questions.

“Is this dumb?” questions.

“I saw this online, is it true?” questions.

Because I would rather someone ask me a question before buying an animal than stay quiet, guess, and struggle later.

And I'll be honest, I don't know everything about every animal, but I promise you that I'll do my research and help you find the right answer.

Let’s grow this community.

Let’s help new keepers become good keepers.

Let’s protect the animals by educating the people.

And let’s remember that being experienced does not give anyone permission to be cruel.

We can do better.

So here’s my question:

What’s one piece of animal care advice you wish someone had taught you sooner?

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home

07/15/2026

🛠️ Business Update:

I met with an electrician today at the store.

We walked through the space and went over where I want new outlets placed, how many circuits I’ll need, and what areas will need power for enclosures, lighting, heating, feeders, the register area, and all the other fun electrical stuff that suddenly becomes very important when you’re opening a pet store.

This is one of those updates that probably does not sound super exciting from the outside.

Nobody is lining up like:

“PLEASE show me where the outlets are going.”

But for this type of store, it matters a lot.

Reptile lighting, heat sources, animal enclosures, aquariums, freezers, supplies, and daily store operations all need to be planned out the right way.

The last thing I want is to open a pet store and then realize I need an outlet exactly where there is absolutely not an outlet.

That feels like the kind of mistake that would make me stare silently at a wall for 20 minutes.

So today was another small but important step forward.

Not flashy.

Not glamorous.

But necessary.

Every meeting like this gets Doc X Pet Shop a little closer to becoming real.

Slowly but surely, we’re getting there.

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home

07/15/2026

My favorite animal will always be the Aldabra tortoise.

I fell in love with them when I was a zookeeper, and they still have a special place in my heart.

Always will.

There is just something about them.

Their size.

Their personalities.

Their slow, steady, stubborn little old-man energy.

The way they move like they have absolutely nowhere to be and somehow everyone else is still in their way.

I loved taking care of them.

Feeding them.

Cleaning up after them.

Watching how they interacted with each other.

Getting to know their individual personalities.

People sometimes look at tortoises and think they are boring because they are slow and quiet.

But if you have ever worked with them, you know that is not true at all.

They have opinions.

They recognize routines.

They know when food is coming.

They can be gentle, stubborn, curious, dramatic, and surprisingly funny.

Basically giant shelled toddlers with prehistoric faces.

I’ll always cherish the time I got to spend with them.

Not everyone gets to say they helped care for animals like that, and I will never take those memories for granted.

Here’s a YouTube video of me with the Aldabra tortoises I was lucky enough to take care of.

Still one of my favorite chapters of my life.

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home

Curious what foods our Aldabra Tortoises love? h...

07/15/2026

Opening a business is funny because people think it’s just:

“Buy products. Sell products. Make money.”

Cute.

I wish. 😄

Opening a business means suddenly wearing hats you never thought you’d have to wear.

Especially when you’re opening a pet store.

I thought I’d mostly be focusing on animals, enclosures, feeders, products, care guides, and making sure customers get the right information.

And yes, that’s still a huge part of it.

But I’ve also had to learn about real estate terms so I could understand my lease and make sure I wasn’t signing something terrible.

I’ve had to learn federal, state, and local animal laws so I can make sure everything I sell is legal and ethical.

Fun fact: breeding turtles in Illinois is illegal, which is a super big bummer because turtles are awesome.

I’ve had to learn electrical terminology so I can explain to my electrician what I need for reptile lighting, heating, enclosures, outlets, circuits, and not accidentally pay for things I don’t actually need.

I’ve had to learn HVAC terms so I can explain airflow requirements, fresh air, exhaust, ventilation, and all the fun city inspector stuff that makes my wallet quietly sob in the corner.

I’ve had to learn retail terms like MAP pricing, MOQs, wholesale accounts, vendor applications, margins, inventory planning, product turns, and why some companies make ordering crickets feel like applying for a mortgage.

I’ve had to learn about business insurance.

Permits.

Certificate of occupancy.

Contractor estimates.

Lender requirements.

Resale certificates.

Sales tax.

Signage.

Build-out costs.

Flooring.

Paint.

Shelving.

Animal care guides.

Product research.

And how to professionally email people for the third time without typing, “PLEASE JUST ANSWER ME.”

Opening a business is not just knowing how to sell a product or provide a service.

It’s learning 47 different things you never planned on learning, then pretending you’re calm while Google searches become your second job.

But honestly?

That’s part of the process.

Every frustrating step is helping me understand this business better.

Not just as someone who loves animals.

But as someone trying to build something the right way.

Doc X Pet Shop is still coming.

Slowly.

Stressfully.

With many hats.

But it’s coming.

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home

07/15/2026

🚮 Trash Product Wednesday: Bird Mirrors

Let’s talk about bird mirrors.

Because somewhere along the way, pet companies convinced people that giving a lonely bird a mirror was the same thing as giving them a friend.

It is not.

A mirror is not a friend.

It is just a tiny bird catfish.

People buy them thinking:

“Aww, now my bird has company.”

But the bird does not always understand that it is looking at itself. Some birds may think there is another bird in the enclosure, and that can lead to problems.

They may start guarding the mirror.

Trying to court it.

Feeding it.

Attacking it.

Obsessing over it.

Or getting frustrated because this “other bird” never responds normally.

Imagine being lonely and someone hands you a bathroom mirror and says:

“There. Now you have friends.”

That is rude.

Birds are smart, social, active animals. They need real enrichment, not emotional damage with a reflective surface.

Better options include:

Foraging toys
Shredding toys
Natural perches
Training and interaction
Safe out-of-cage time
A larger, more enriching setup
And in some cases, another bird, but only when it is researched properly and makes sense for that species and individual animal

A mirror should not be used as a replacement for proper care, attention, enrichment, or companionship.

Birds deserve more than a fake roommate.

Trash product.

Doc X Pet Shop

Where the Wild Finds a Home