Garfunkel Solberg

In the quiet chill of October, 2017, when the ground was not yet frozen and still, a small life was unexpectedly unearthed. A construction site became the stage for a chance encounter: beneath the cold earth, a tiger salamander lay tucked away in hibernation, dreaming his secret amphibian dreams. Disturbed by accident, Garfunkel Solberg was lifted from the soil and, with great care, welcomed into a warm home. What began as a rescue on a winter’s day became a cherished companionship spanning eight remarkable years.

Garfunkel was no ordinary salamander. Voracious, friendly, and endlessly curious - he carried himself with a quiet presence that anchored the world around him. In honor of “Simon,” the salamander who came before him, along with the favorite song of a caretaker's mother, he was given the name Garfunkel, serving as a lyrical bridge between past and present, memory and melody. Like the song that inspired his name, his life left a resonance that shall linger.

For a tiger salamander, Garfunkel was beastly in stature: a magnificent 11.5 inches long, with a belly that spoke of a life well-fed and well-loved; even in his final days he remained robust. He was as clever as he was thick: he learned to beg for food from those who passed by. him, poking his head from the earth like a mischievous spirit demanding tribute to his grandeur. He would nip at fingers with playful insistence, then retreat only to emerge moments later, convincing the next person he remained famished and perhaps even malnourished all day. Sometimes he’d even lift his little legs and wave them in the air—a silent performance that never failed to bring laughter.

And yet, behind that comedic charm and insatiable appetite was a creature of serene companionship. When held, Garfunkel would remain calm for long stretches, simply observing the world from the safety of gentle hands. He did not need to do much to offer comfort: his presence was grounding, and his quiet constancy a balm during difficult times. He was and will always be a wonderful ambassador of his species.

Garfunkel was more than a pet; he was a living thread that wove together chapters of a life. He arrived before the passing of Lucky, a beloved childhood cat, and in doing so became a bridge to youth, memory, and resilience. His enclosure became a place of quiet ritual—a space to pause after long workdays, to watch him live his salamander life, to feel the soft joy of simply witnessing. He was the second in a line of tiger salamanders— Simon the First, Garfunkel, then Simon, and then Zeppelin. He was part of a lineage of quiet companions: each one unique, each one cherished. And though Garfunkel may not have been the most outwardly expressive creature, his humans knew better: reptiles and amphibians have personalities that reveal themselves to those who truly pay attention.

In his final days, Garfunkel was cared for with devotion. There is comfort in knowing that he was given everything that could be offered—warmth, safety, dignity. His story is one of quiet joy and deep, attentive love.

Garfunkel Solberg lived his life tucked between song and soil, and in doing so, he left a gentle, indelible mark on the hearts that held him.