Tragic News

So sorry it happened. It's hard when one of our pets kills another one because we do sort of feel emotionally that we can 'trust' our beloved pets not to do things that would make us unhappy and when it does, logic doesn't stop that hurt feeling. I mean, we know intellectually that the cats are hunters and would kill the snake because of instinct, but emotionally it's like a betrayal because you loved both pets.

Yes, you "should have known better" but then hindsight is always 20/20 too.

When you have a rack, it's fairly easy to drill a small hole in each shelf and thread a thin metal "pole" down through all the holes to keep any of the bins from sliding forward. I've seen some racks like this to keep small children from opening them and it's always struck me as a simple and effective "lock".

I would be interested in how you plan on securing the racks. I'm getting a rack myself and is brainstorming ways to create a "lockl" system to keep the tubs secure.

This sucks, I'm really sorry. We all make mistakes, even ones that we feel like we should have seen coming.
If perhaps it helps to add some sort of significance to your snake's death, I have just copy/pasted your original post (slightly edited for length) into a thread in a facebook snake group wherein a potential new owner was asking about interactions with other pets such as his cat. Hopefully your story will help to keep his snake safe.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

So sorry it happened. It's hard when one of our pets kills another one because we do sort of feel emotionally that we can 'trust' our beloved pets not to do things that would make us unhappy and when it does, logic doesn't stop that hurt feeling. I mean, we know intellectually that the cats are hunters and would kill the snake because of instinct, but emotionally it's like a betrayal because you loved both pets.

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I wouldn't say I ever 'trusted' my cats. Well, maybe Wolverine, but I'm 75% sure that the one who did the initial damage was Rosswelle, and I wouldn't trust him as far as his whisker's length. I love him, but he's... Rosswelle. What I did do was underestimate what he would do. The difference doesn't really matter, it comes around to the same result. And yes it hurts, more than anything the feeling of betrayal is that I betrayed Nagisa. I brought him into my household for the sole purpose of caring for and protecting him, and then I failed him fatally in the stupidest possible way.

And yes, all involved parties were and are beloved. I made the mistake of calling my parents as soon as this happened, it was after midnight and I needed someone to talk to so technically the order of call went to my Cousin, my younger brother, my mother, my father. Amazingly my father answered. And I love him, he tried to help, but then he was all 'well at least it was the snake not the cat, right?' And I know that he doesn't see what I like about snakes. They aren't affectionate or social like the fluffy critters, so you don't have that same sort of interactive bond. But I've explained enough times that an animal in my care is an animal in my care the care is different but just as beloved, so asking if I'm happy that it was the snake not the cat is kinda like asking if I'm happy the poison was in the mashed potatoes not the steak. Either way it's poison and I'm sick. But what ever. I love Dad. I just wish my cousin had been awake. I also talked to my younger brother that night who is much more understanding, but also much less... emotionally comforting? He just kinda grunts and doesn't know what to say and changes the subject to try to comfort me via distraction. Which was nice of him, but not helpful at the time. -sigh-

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

When you have a rack, it's fairly easy to drill a small hole in each shelf and thread a thin metal "pole" down through all the holes to keep any of the bins from sliding forward. I've seen some racks like this to keep small children from opening them and it's always struck me as a simple and effective "lock".

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This is actually exactly what I was thinking (so this answers your question, too, mom_of_bannanachip), and my cousin agreed it sounded good. Simple to do for about any set up, wouldn't make it difficult for me to get into the keeps as needed, but should be enough to keep the cats out. And if it works for small kids, that'll be great for my cousin, her daughter will be of age that'll be needed here pretty quick (not even crawling yet I don't think, but I'm sure that isn't far off)


Dkatz4-
Ah, if someone else can keep from pulling this stupid move themselves because I had to suffer it the heard way, that's the best way to go about it. :) And yes, feel free to edit out my extra ramblings as posted XDD I hope my tale helps them know, this happens with an accidental interaction there is no reason for a purposeful one.

Thanks for sharing the idea CitricPrincess- pretty simple, and I will do it!

Sorry for your loss, and I can totally relate to the conflict. I have three cats myself, and while I love them to death, I know they have their..... instincts.....While they have not "messed with" my BPs, they had a grand ol' time accessing the box of crickets I had for my bearded dragon, and 'playing' with them.

A

Yep. Very tragic. And it had to really affect you with all sorts of emotions. From sadness to guilt for sure as its evidenced how you were not able to share it on the forum for a weeks time. The reality is it's a hard lesson to learn and it's over. So now we move on and are more knowledgeable about risks and dangers in situations like this. Moral here is "think responsibly". Glad you had the courage to regroup and share this so you can heal and others can learn. Congrats.

I'm sorry for your loss, it is never easy to lose a pet...

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