CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
the rover manual
The build-a-dragon company
rover instruction manual Draft 37 rev 1.
Dear Owner,
Congratulations on your purchase of a Rover (TM) from the Build-A-Dragon Company! This manual contains important information on keeping your dragon healthy and happy (and your family safe) for your time together. Please read it carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about your new pet, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RETURN IT.
Instead, please call our 24-hour, multilingual customer support line. One of our Dragon Specialists will be happy to assist you.
Delivery and Hatching
By the time your Rover egg arrives at your door, the gestation period will be about halfway complete. Detailed instructions for incubating the egg will be included. Please read and follow them with care. Dragon eggs require vigilant temperature control. When the egg begins trembling and crackling, it is nearly ready to hatch. Keep it in a secure area, and make sure you have raw meat on hand to complete the vital imprinting exercise.
Your Dragon’s Crate
The crate that accompanies your Rover was custom-designed to serve as his house within your family home. In other words, don’t throw it away. Put the crate in a corner of your household away from any fans, electrical outlets, and sources of cold air. This will be your dragon’s fortress of solitude while he lives with you.
Do not, under any circumstances, allow children or small pets to enter the crate.
Feeding and Hydration
Like any pet, your Rover should be offered food and water on a regular basis. We strongly recommend the Build-A-Dragon RepChow food, which contains a careful balance of protein, grains, and vitamins to keep your dragon healthy. If you insist on feeding him other food, aim for a combination of 60% protein, 20% vegetables, and 20% starches. For protein, pork is best, as our dragons seem to prefer it to other meats. However, he will also eat beef, poultry, or fish.
Be sure to keep your dragon well-hydrated by offering 8 to 12 ounces of good clean water with every feeding. Sports drinks, soda, juice, and other beverages are not recommended. The Build-A-Dragon Company cannot assume any liability should you give your dragon alcohol.
Scale, Tooth, and Claw Care
You should have noticed that your dragon has scales, teeth, and claws. If it didn’t, we probably wouldn’t be able to call it a dragon, would we? In this section, you will learn about how to properly care for these parts of your pet.
Scales are your dragon’s protective outer skin. As such, you should make sure that they remain intact and well cared-for. If you notice any dry patches, rub them gently with baby oil twice a day until the scales are back to normal.
Your dragon may molt once every 6-8 months. This is normal. There is no need to mail the molted skin back to the Build-A-Dragon company.
Dental care is vital to keep your Rover model healthy. You should brush his teeth every time that you brush your own. Just don’t use the same toothbrush.
The nails on your dragon’s feet will grow throughout his lifetime. He will use them to dig, scratch, scrape, maim, and climb. If the nails grow too long from disuse, they may become uncomfortable. Provide a scratching post and encourage your Rover to use it instead of walls or furniture. If the nails get too long, you can trim them with the Build-A-Dragon ClawClipper. You can also ask your veterinarian to clip or grind the nails. Good luck with that.
Exercise and Play Time
Regular activity and play time will give your dragon a healthy lifestyle. Rovers love to play games like hide-and-seek, chase, fetch, and ambush. You can also take him for walks or hikes. Given the choice, however, a well-fed Rover will usually sneak off to take a nap. Instead, encourage your dragon to do some light activity following meals. You might think about doing the same, tubs!
Dragon Safety
Remember that your dragon, while friendly, is still a capable predator. He may attack birds, small animals, or other dragons if given the opportunity. Over time, he will grow loyal to the members of your family. He may protect them against real or perceived threats. Please keep this in mind if you or your children engage in any contact sports.
Keep your dragon in a fenced area or on a leash at all times. Unlike the hog-hunting reptile, the Rover is not meant to live in the wild and cannot survive more than a few days on its own.
Like many animals, dragons are territorial. Keep visitors and small pets away from your Rover’s crate and feeding areas at all times. If your dragon brings a shoe, child’s toy, or other object into his crate, he considers it his property. Reclaim it at your own risk.
Do’s and Don’ts
DO give your dragon a name and begin calling him by it right away.
DON’T choose Rover. That’s ours.
DO let your dragon explore your home, backyard, and neighborhood.
DON’T let your dragon out of sight as he explores. Especially if there are other pets or small children in the vicinity.