13 is a VERY lucky number!

Today, in our house, 13 is a really lucky number and I just wanted to share our happiness with our forum friends!

Some of you may remember Danu. She was a gravid wild caught import that laid her eggs for another person but reportedly never would eat for them. She went on to another owner who also had problems with getting this lovely lady to eat. She came to us back in June 07 at only 866 grams.

This is Danu from June 07.....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...07866grams.jpg

This picture actually does really tell the story of just how skinny she felt in my hands. :(

Anyways, we left her to settle in quietly in quarantine in our master bedroom. We did what we'd done with Saoirse, our previous w/c adult female BP. After a time we tried Danu on various sizes of rats but no go. She'd defensively strike at them but never would follow through with the kill. We got pretty concerned as she was continuing to lose weight and down into the 700 gram range. We considered assist or force feeding but hated to further stress this poor girl.

Mike suggested we try ASF's so we got a trio of adults and being ASF's they promptly starting popping out babies. Well there you go.....the trigger for Danu! She adores ASF's, can't get enough of them quite honestly. Hits them before their little feet can barely get planted in her enclosure. :)

Yesterday we weighed all the snakes. Danu is 1,313 grams! I love the number 13!!!! :banana:

She's still got a ways to go and is still on the thin side. By her length and body build she likely should weigh an easy 2,000 grams but we're definitely on the road to good things with her. She's also allowing handling now and although one of the more head shy of our adults, she's not nearly as scared and defensive as back in the summer. She's even perked up enough to take a try at biting me last feeding day....whooohooooo go Danu!

I got so excited about her doing so well I completely forgot to take new pictures. She ate today (3 chubby ASF's!) so I'll make sure and get some pictures to add to this thread in a couple of days. Every minute we worried over this snake was so worth it to see those numbers flash on the digital scale!

Btw, to our dear friend Robin (rabernet) - thank you for being there for us through those first early worrisome days with Danu. I remember you looking up all the information you could from the Barker book to help us further understand the shock syndrome these adults can go through.

You were the first person I thought to call when Saoirse broke 1,000 grams and then when Danu passed that same milestone. Having a supportive friend like you Robin, just to talk to and brainstorm things with, to share the worries and the triumphs with - well it's one of the best benefits of BPNet. :hug:

Just for the record... I love the number 13.

Go Danu. I'm so glad she found her way to you Jo. Although shame on your for not taking another pic! FOR SHAME!!! :P

awesome man good luck with her!

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

Just for the record... I love the number 13.

Go Danu. I'm so glad she found her way to you Jo. Although shame on your for not taking another pic! FOR SHAME!!! :P

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I know...I totally suck for not doing that! Can I also blame the fact that my camera batteries are iffy at best and need replaced? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by jkobylka

awesome man good luck with her!

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Thanks Justin! (hope that was a generic "man" or my husband's in for a shock :P)

Great news! I'm glad she's putting on weight for you!

Joanna and Mike,

It's always wonderful to hear the success stories, and I had no doubt that if anyone could rehabilitate this girl, it would be the two of you. You guys deserve all the credit! I know how many sleepless nights you had over her, and I can't wait to see pictures of her today! :hug:

That's awesome, congrats!

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Originally Posted by Holbeird

Great news! I'm glad she's putting on weight for you!

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Thanks so much. It's happy dance day when one of these kinds of snakes starts eating every week. :banana:

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Originally Posted by tmartin2347

That's awesome, congrats!

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Thanks!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Joanna and Mike,

It's always wonderful to hear the success stories, and I had no doubt that if anyone could rehabilitate this girl, it would be the two of you. You guys deserve all the credit! I know how many sleepless nights you had over her, and I can't wait to see pictures of her today! :hug:

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Once she's digested her meal, and Mike grabs me some new camera batteries, I'm all over that! All the credit in the end goes to Danu (and Saoirse). They decided to eat and thrive - we only provided the means to see that through. They've both taught us so much that I hope we can apply to the next one that comes our way. :)

Good for you!!!

(Patiently awaits pictures)