A reptile domicile is teen's only wish

Make-a-Wish Foundation grants an unusual request from sick girl

DURHAM -- For Elizabeth Mize, it is a simple question of mathematics.

"The more cages you have," says Elizabeth, who has bone cancer, "the more snakes you can get."

So when the Make-a-Wish Foundation asked Elizabeth for her wish, she passed on a trip to Disney World or a chance to meet a celebrity. Instead, the Angier teenager asked for a new home for her 12 snakes, eight lizards and two turtles.

On Wednesday, she was presented with her wish at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. The custom-built, six-foot-tall cages feature 15 separate housing units, are equipped with lights and heaters to keep her pets warm, and come with plenty of rocks and plants for reptile-apartment decorating.

A number of businesses came together to grant her wish, including a cage builder, a reptile magazine and a pet-supply company. The presentation was pushed back twice after Elizabeth's discharge from Duke Children's Hospital was delayed. She was released Tuesday after a two-week stay, accepted her gift Wednesday, and was scheduled to be back in the hospital today for more tests.

Elizabeth, 16, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma about a year ago. She brought home her first reptile a year or so before that, and the collection has grown ever since.

At home, the animals are her responsibility, and Elizabeth breeds mice to feed the snakes. When she's in the hospital, family members pitch in to help, even though some are more comfortable with the reptiles than others.

"I'm OK with the snakes," said her grandmother, Brenda Goodman of Apex, "as long as they're in their cages."

Elizabeth has been using aquariums to house her animals. Most of the reptiles -- which include pythons, boa constrictors and corn snakes -- live upstairs in her bedroom. But for the days when she can't make it up the stairs, a few have been moved downstairs near her favorite chaise longue.

She likes the fact that lizards and snakes are less needy than dogs and cats. "They're kind of pre-trained," said Elizabeth, her bald head topped with a stylish black fedora.

With her love of all things scaly, it seemed logical to wonder whether Elizabeth has planned to make reptiles her profession.

"I haven't really thought about it," she said. "The cancer kind of got in the way. But maybe I'll be a herpetologist -- maybe I'll breed snakes for a living."

Even if Grandma wouldn't go near them, it sounds like a plan that would make her very proud.