Tom Schwartz Opens up About His Lizard Daug's Passing: "I Did Everything by the Book"
"Honestly, I would take responsibility if I was neglectful in any way," the Vanderpump Rules cast member said.
The Vanderpump Rules crew has said goodbye to a member of its family.
Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney-Schwartz lost their pet lizard, Daug, earlier this season of Vanderpump Rules, and in the March 24 episode of the show, they and all of their friends paid their respects to their favorite reptile during a poolside memorial.
Though Daug was in Tom's life for only a short while, he quickly found a special place in his owner's heart. "His lifespan was like 15 to 20 years, so I had our whole life together charted out, at least the next few weeks," Tom said during the episode.
Tom also shared a little bit about Daug's demeanor while he was under his care. "He did wrestle with depression. I'm not saying that jokingly. I thought he was just acclimating. He seemed kind of dejected. He was always sleeping, he was lethargic," Tom said. "But when I took him outside, he had great moments where he would really shine."
Tom opened up more about Daug's passing during the Vanderpump Rules Season 8 After Show, which you can view, above. "He became family. I was so happy to have him in the house," Tom said. "I just was obsessed with him. I was like, once I get a house, I'm gonna get a lizard."
Katie admitted in the After Show that she did not share Tom's affinity for reptiles, but she was even starting to take a liking to Daug. "I had never had any kind of reptile pet. They always kind of gave me a little bit of a heebie-jeebie vibe, but I was finally warming up to Daug," she shared. "I hadn't held him yet even; I only pet him."
She recalled how devastated her husband was the day they lost Daug. "Tom was desperate to make him come back to life. It was like the saddest thing," Katie said. "He was crying. And then finally he buried him in the backyard."
Unfortunately, there was nothing Tom could do to save Daug's life. "Honestly, I would take responsibility if I was neglectful in any way, but I did everything by the book," Tom said in the After Show. "I gave him lots of love. Everything food-wise, temperature-wise was all on point."
"It's a bummer," Tom added. "I miss him."
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Watch Tom and Daug in happier times, below.
