Hello everyone, my name is Dusty (he/they) and I’m a Pokémon researcher and habitat conservationist from Unova! I’m based in the Desert Resort area and my main focus is on desert Pokémon and their habitats. I work closely with @vespers-pkmn-rescue in most things, and I volunteer a lot at her rescue center (her team knows my face by now).
My partner Pokémon is a Sandshrew that I call Castle. He was the first Pokémon I found and bonded with when I was a kid— he was burrowed in a kids’ sandbox, and I thought he was a sandcastle! That’s how he earned his name, actually.
Speaking of Pokémon, how about you meet the rest of my team?
Gus: male Gligar, I found him with a tear in one wing. He has difficulty flying, so I’ve been taking care of him, and it seems like I’ve grown on him! He’s got a tendency to find the warmest darkest place he can to sleep (and most of the time that ends up being somewhere on my person).
Pebi: female Pupitar, has been a bit of a pet project of mine to get her to evolve (the pupa stage tends to be very vulnerable for Pokémon who have them). I tend to carry her around in a baby sling. You know, for enrichment purposes.
Nila: female Sandile, one of my feistier Pokémon! Nesting areas that Sandile prefer have been diminishing lately, and I found her egg unprotected in the sand. She’s been with me since hatching.
Pancake: male Stunfisk, these beautiful Pokémon aren’t the sharpest, and try to burrow in the sand even when there is no sand! He was brought to me by a concerned resident who accidentally stepped on him.
Slinky: male Silicobra. Silicobra aren’t native to Unova, but trainers tend to go abroad and catch whatever they can and often don’t take into consideration proper care requirements for their Pokémon. Slinky was surrendered to me and we’ve been attached at the hip for years— literally! He’s one of my clingiest Pokémon, and is often my scarf while I’m out.
That’s my introduction, folks! Me and Castle will be hanging around, and if you have any questions, please leave something in my ask box! As an educator, I love teaching people something new about these adorable and fascinating creatures, so I’m happy to answer questions. Make sure to keep an eye out, too, for any updates on my blog! Some of these Pokémon get up to some crazy antics!
@dustytodusty-pkmn and I spent Halloween with my family over here, which was a fun way to spend our vacation.
I went as a Garchomp, which my own Garchomp was very thrilled by, while Dusty went as a Sandslash.
Dusty went out in the wasteland and tried to trick or treat at…wild Pokémon. For some reason. It was very funny, at least.
We also took our Pokémon trick-or-treating in Phenac city, which everyone seemed to enjoy. Nibbles got so many snacks. And Zippy is STILL hyper from all the treats.
Garlic Bread decided to get in costume too, and decided to go as Castle, which was very entertaining on all fronts. Zorua illusions are silly.
All in all, a success, but I’m so worn out from trying to watch everyone lol
Vesper and Dusty's Orre Trip - I got distracted from keeping count
Garlic Bread has been riding in my bag for most of the trip, mainly because we decided it was easier then trying to send her back home to the rescue.
Also Dusty (@dustytodusty-pkmn) has managed to track sand into my parents' house consistently. Thankfully they're used to it.
Marshmallow and Dust Devil have both been having the absolute time of their lives.
Also my dad is trying to convince me to compete in the Colosseum. I appreciate his enthusiasm but also I haven't actually battled in ages. I feel like I would get DESTROYED.
My goal on this trip has been to Cause Problems and it looks like I have been successful :)
Very glad I brought Slinky with me, because she has enjoyed getting EVERYWHERE. Found her in Vesper’s mother’s shirt one morning— which was quite the experience! Poor lady jumped a foot in the air when she felt Slinky move… but I imagine living with Vesper, she’s used to the craziness by now.
Thankfully most of my Pokémon are species that burrow, so they hardly felt cooped up during the journey. The sand here is apparently better quality though (I can’t really tell the difference; sand is sand) and Castle has been antsy to get out and play around in it! We spent most of that day half-buried, and I definitely still have sand in places I won’t mention on this blog.
Despite that initial scare, my mom seems to have taken quite a liking to Slinky.
Also I'm dumping you in the shower the next chance I get.
I'm hoping we get the chance to visit some Poké Spots later, I think you'd enjoy getting to see some of Orre's few wild Pokemon in their natural habitats.
Vesper and Dusty's Orre Trip - I got distracted from keeping count
Garlic Bread has been riding in my bag for most of the trip, mainly because we decided it was easier then trying to send her back home to the rescue.
Also Dusty (@dustytodusty-pkmn) has managed to track sand into my parents' house consistently. Thankfully they're used to it.
Marshmallow and Dust Devil have both been having the absolute time of their lives.
Also my dad is trying to convince me to compete in the Colosseum. I appreciate his enthusiasm but also I haven't actually battled in ages. I feel like I would get DESTROYED.
My goal on this trip has been to Cause Problems and it looks like I have been successful :)
Very glad I brought Slinky with me, because she has enjoyed getting EVERYWHERE. Found her in Vesper’s mother’s shirt one morning— which was quite the experience! Poor lady jumped a foot in the air when she felt Slinky move… but I imagine living with Vesper, she’s used to the craziness by now.
Thankfully most of my Pokémon are species that burrow, so they hardly felt cooped up during the journey. The sand here is apparently better quality though (I can’t really tell the difference; sand is sand) and Castle has been antsy to get out and play around in it! We spent most of that day half-buried, and I definitely still have sand in places I won’t mention on this blog.
Despite that initial scare, my mom seems to have taken quite a liking to Slinky.
Also I'm dumping you in the shower the next chance I get.
I'm hoping we get the chance to visit some Poké Spots later, I think you'd enjoy getting to see some of Orre's few wild Pokemon in their natural habitats.
Vesper and Dusty's Orre Trip - I got distracted from keeping count
Garlic Bread has been riding in my bag for most of the trip, mainly because we decided it was easier then trying to send her back home to the rescue.
Also Dusty (@dustytodusty-pkmn) has managed to track sand into my parents' house consistently. Thankfully they're used to it.
Marshmallow and Dust Devil have both been having the absolute time of their lives.
Also my dad is trying to convince me to compete in the Colosseum. I appreciate his enthusiasm but also I haven't actually battled in ages. I feel like I would get DESTROYED.
My goal on this trip has been to Cause Problems and it looks like I have been successful :)
Very glad I brought Slinky with me, because she has enjoyed getting EVERYWHERE. Found her in Vesper’s mother’s shirt one morning— which was quite the experience! Poor lady jumped a foot in the air when she felt Slinky move… but I imagine living with Vesper, she’s used to the craziness by now.
Thankfully most of my Pokémon are species that burrow, so they hardly felt cooped up during the journey. The sand here is apparently better quality though (I can’t really tell the difference; sand is sand) and Castle has been antsy to get out and play around in it! We spent most of that day half-buried, and I definitely still have sand in places I won’t mention on this blog.
So, fun storytime: yesterday I went out to one of the local elementary schools to do a presentation on desert Pokémon and habitat conservation, and I swear, all these kids acted like my team were the plague! Oh, they were terrified! And sure, I always love the opportunity to disprove a lot of the harmful myths about reptile Pokémon, but Nila was just so sad when none of the kids would give her head scratches :(
Castle, of course, was a big hit (he’s just cute to everyone, I guess), and Pebi, as always, simply could not care less, but I do feel a little bad for the rest of my team. There was one kid brave enough to interact with Gus, my gligar, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Gus so happy! We had to pry him off of the poor kid’s jacket, but luckily it was all good fun.
I do very much enjoy being an educator and showing kids how cool these Pokémon can really be, but there will always be people afraid of what they don’t understand, or even worse— only interested in certain Pokémon because of their battle potential.
People (namely @vespers-pkmn-rescue ) keep telling me lies like “I’m stinky” and “people can’t take dust baths like desert Pokémon do, that’s not how that works.” Lies and slander. You can pry my dry shampoo and salt scrubs out of my cold, dead hands.
People (namely @vespers-pkmn-rescue ) keep telling me lies like “I’m stinky” and “people can’t take dust baths like desert Pokémon do, that’s not how that works.” Lies and slander. You can pry my dry shampoo and salt scrubs out of my cold, dead hands.
Dusty (@dustytodusty-pkmn ) and I are going to Orre soon for a trip. Should be nice to be back in my home region for a while. Dust Devil seems excited about it but he also might just be excited about the sand.
Also I got us approved for that trip to Orre. We can stay at my parents' place, and I'll see if we can catch some Colosseum matches. Bring your desert gear my guy.
- @vespers-pkmn-rescue
Oh fun! Finally, a chance to break out my extensive bandana collection! And I always love a chance to meet some more Pokémon thriving in their natural habitat— I’m sure even Nila and Slinky will be out and about if the weather is dry enough!
Dusty, Castle got into the supply room and has fallen asleep in one of the bags of sand. Please come get your son, he's too cute I don't want to move him myself.
- @vespers-pkmn-rescue
Aww, but he looks so comfortable! Have you seen his cute little sleeping face? I can’t say no to that face, Vesper!
… fine, I’ll move him. He’s going to be clinging to me for the rest of the day, though.
remind me to invite you along the next time i get called out to Orre, i think you'd like it there. it's pretty much all desert.
- Vesper ( @vespers-pkmn-rescue )
Sounds like a fun vacation! Castle will certainly have a fun time :)
One of the downsides to taking care of so many burrowing Pokémon is that I have become the burrow! I woke up this morning and within five minutes Castle was getting comfy in my shirt. Buddy, you can’t go in the shower with me, you know better!
Some mornings I end up just taking a dust bath with Castle— I’m really living up to my name, aren’t I?
that, and the amount of sand you keep tracking into the rescue. i don't really mind, but wow you really do live up to your name. we've started just sweeping the sand you track in into the ground type area. they seem to enjoy it.
One of the downsides to taking care of so many burrowing Pokémon is that I have become the burrow! I woke up this morning and within five minutes Castle was getting comfy in my shirt. Buddy, you can’t go in the shower with me, you know better!
Some mornings I end up just taking a dust bath with Castle— I’m really living up to my name, aren’t I?
since we've been looking after one lately, I might put a post up later with advice for proper care of Sandshrews. and Sandslash, probably.
speaking of which, the little guy has been doing a lot better. he gets along really well with Castle (our volunteer Dusty's own Sandshrew) and his hide already looks way better.
