"Today's Feeding Day, Right?"

[rabernet]

So, Tuesday is feeding day. I've just gotten home and gotten the dog walked, the cats fed, fresh water for all the fur-kids. I'm JUST starting to round up the mice to put into a Kritter Keeper to take to the bedroom to prep the snakes and there's a knock on the door.

There's one of the neighborhood kids standing there and staring at me. I'm like "yes, can I help you?" He says "today's feeding day, right?"

First, I'm confused, then I remember that I had Skye out on the porch with me on Sunday because it was such a nice warm sunny day and he and some other neighborhood kids had walked up to the porch to see Diamond and were wanting to touch her and were asking all kinds of questions about what you feed them, can they see them feed, etc. I had told them that if they got their parent's permission to come in my apartment, we'd see. When they asked was I feeding that day, I had replied that I normally feed on Tuesdays. Man, he did not forget! And even told me his parents said it was ok. I sort of told a white lie and said I didn't feed until around 8 pm, and I have a feeling he'll be back. I'm thinking I should tell him that I'd prefer that one of his parents comes with him so that they can meet me and I know for sure he got permission.

The kids here are great kids. Once I had Kashmire outside and one of the kids asked to hold him. His mother came out and asked in Portugese what he had (they're Brazilian) and he told her (in Portugese, snake sounds like "cobra") and she starts waving her hands and runs inside. I said "is she upset?" He said "nope, she's going to get the camera!" LOL

I like being able to encourage their interest in snakes at a young age, and they are learning how to gently hold the snakes. Some days when it was cold they'd ask if I could bring one out and I'd explain that it was much too cold for snakes and explained how they weren't able to create their own body heat etc. They ask a lot of great questions too. It's great to have some young budding herp enthusiasts. Maybe when I start breeding their parents may let them have one and I'll have found some good homes for the male normals!

[cassandra]

That's a good idea to invite the kids parents over - that way they can see where their kids are and you can be sure that everyone knows what's going on. =)

But so cool that they are so super interested!

[Karma]

HAHAH too cute!

[frankykeno]

That's great Robin! Hmmm, wonder what "crazy snake lady" is in Spanish LOL?


I love introducing kids to our snakes before they get silly and unfounded fears of them. It's a good chance to educate and watch the wonder in their eyes. I always get parental permission or ask the parents to come too and do the whole "washing our hands before and after" deal when they handle either the snakes or the rats (kids love rat pups!)

[MedusasOwl]

That's so cool... educate them early! I can just picture the excited mom running inside for the camera. I love it!

[The Cannibal Monkey]

That's so great, I love it when kids are excited about animals like that =) They really do ask some fantastic questions, and they're much more willing to be open-minded about snakes than older people.

[rabernet]

I'm loving these boys even more today! LOL


They ask me all sorts of questions - "do you believe in Santa Claus" To which I replied "of COURSE!!!" and explained that the spirit of Christmas is in your heart.

Most of them are Brazilian, but have been here a few years. They as ME, ME of all people - about NFL football. So are the New England Patriots from Europe? Had to explain that New England was a region, so we had a little geography lesson.

Then we had a discussion today about the KKK and intolerant people and them asking me if they could "pass" for white, to which I explained that they should be proud of their rich culture! They were grinning from ear to ear when I was done with them, let me tell you!

But the reason I loved them today, bless their little hearts, is that they asked me how old I was. I asked them how old they thought I was (20s!!! I look like I'm in my 20's! I coulda kissed them! LOL). Finally told them I was going to be 40 this year. And they thought Mr. Karl was 30 (he'll be 46 this year). Told me how YOUNG we look! LOL

And they told me that I'm so smart because I know so many things. I just love these kids and all the questions that they ask me. They really get me thinking and sometimes I have to go do research to get back to them. GREAT kids! Diamond also thinks that they belong to her. She adores these boys!

Karl encourages them too with their schooling, and gives them little presents when they get good grades. First they show their parents, then they come to our apartment to show off their report cards! I think they like the little gifts, but I think they love the interest that we show in them even more!

Wow, talk about a tangent! LOL