Family Matters...

There are perk on both sides. The main thing is if they don't except your decision they at least respect it. They don't have to like it!

I like PETA alot for most of the things they do, I love the passion behind them. I think its just like anything in life, you'll always find something you dont like and something you love in the same thing. I've volunteerd for PETA for awhile, laid off once I had Raigen and started eating meat again....the guilt of being into animal rights and then eating a big piece of meat got to me, and at the time my cravings were stronger then my will. I havent gone back because I have to much going on right now to be able to give them anything worth while. . . . . plsu it cracks me up they send me a letter in the mail each month with a nickle in it to remind me to donate....I keep saving the nickles and am amazed at how much money they waste on this incentive...if you need cash that bad why have you sent me nickles every month for 5 years?

Any who back to the point, thank you again everyone.....its nice to hear others are either in the same boat or can offer good advvice...none of it is falling on deaf ears.. . . . or blind eyes I guess lol.

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Originally Posted by _BoidFinatic_

In addition to everything listed above, you may add that snakes:

-don't chew the furniture
-don't bark or complain
-don't need to be walked rain, shine, or snow
-don't pee on the carpet
-don't leave hair on you shirt or lap
-don't lick, but scare intruders
-don't take up a lot of room
- etc.
;)

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Funny you say that, my sister was just holding her new corn snake and it peed/crapped all over her hand, and I'm pretty sure a couple drops of pee got on the carpet. Her first time holding him and he goes all over her hands! He ate last Saturday. Should've seen it coming, LOL. Talk about first impressions...

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Originally Posted by JasonGranger

Funny you say that, my sister was just holding her new corn snake and it peed/crapped all over her hand, and I'm pretty sure a couple drops of pee got on the carpet. Her first time holding him and he goes all over her hands! He ate last Saturday. Should've seen it coming, LOL. Talk about first impressions...

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I guess there are exceptions. I don't know if she'll be holding corns any time soon :D.

I'd really love to read all these posts on this thread to learn of everyone's experiences, but I first have to say one thing:

People use ignorance to hide deeper more troubling emotions like fear and self-doubt. In this case, your family members are using a snake as an excuse to hide worse problems they may have with you.

I'll relate a story tonight that has been altogether typical of how my snakes and I have been perceived. I've been hosing a foreign 'student' in my home, and tonight her last night here she invited over many of her co-workers for a potluck meal at my house. A man and a woman whom I had never met and their ~2 year old daughter came over as part of this group. They knew of course that I have 26 snakes in my relatively small home, but unless you really explore, you won't find them (tucked away in the pantry).

After dinner, I asked if anyone would like to see some snakes, as most Newfoundlanders have never seen a single snake their entire lives. This is perfect conditions to breed ignorance and fear, so you might expect the worse. I brought out three babies, a normal and two visual morphs to talk to them a little about the amazing diversity there is, and 3 complete strangers held out their hands to cradle them. I brought out some of my bigger snakes to show how big they can get, and some adult morphs to see how pastels can change, etc... and everyone sat around on my floor utterly fascinated, watching the snake in their care. Even when one hatchling was spooked by a toy the baby had brought that the father was moving and she struck it, everyone knew that these darling little hatchlings are nothing to fear... even minutes later independently showing the snake to their little girl, and letting her touch it.

My mother fell in love the minute she met my first ball python, and I've done school shows for primary kids where she works. My sister was so enamoured with my baby het pied male that she gave me money to buy a het pied female. I've had senior citizens visiting for whatever reasons go from never having seen a snake in their entire lives, to holding them and asking what's the big deal everyone makes about them?

I'm really sorry your family chooses to remain ignorant, and says hurtful things. There is nothing you can do for these people, they've made up their minds. And don't bother with facts, bigots and fear-mongers know you can use facts "to prove anything". All the best with your family and your snakes... know that you'll raise your children with love and tolerance and that they'll never end up the hateful and fearful people you've had to deal with in your life.

That is a beauitful story Dread. I can picture it in my head....I wish they would go at my snakes like Raigen (my daughter) does, she has this beautiful blind love for them already.....it's hard to get her to realize that she should never hug or kiss a snake she finds outside. But I still love that side of her.


Also I know someone above said there snake peed all over someone...tonight after I bathed my snakes and cleaned out there homes I was placing Tiombe my 1147gram female into her tank...well I dont know if she drank the bath water or what but right as I lifted her over her clean tank she peed all over the place, it shot out of her!!! AND she farted lol, well it wasnt a fart I guess but alot of air came out....not funny at the time because it went all over her clean bedding.

Any who thank you all for your great stories, it's all wonderful to read. I know I keep saying thank you, and I'm sure there are many more to come.

~Audrey:carrot:

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Originally Posted by TheAudOne

Also I know someone above said there snake peed all over someone...tonight after I bathed my snakes and cleaned out there homes I was placing Tiombe my 1147gram female into her tank...well I dont know if she drank the bath water or what but right as I lifted her over her clean tank she peed all over the place, it shot out of her!!! AND she farted lol, well it wasnt a fart I guess but alot of air came out....not funny at the time because it went all over her clean bedding.

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:rofl:

They always seem to do that... spring it on you when you least expect it.

I gave them all a bath today and I swore one farted but I thought "snakes farting...and whats next pigs flying?" so I wrote it off as my hearing going out on me and then sure enough I got peed on, ruined a good clean cage and farted at the same time.....she's a very large attractive lady lol.

I know I'm coming in a bit late on this thread, but boy can I relate... I get that same attitude on all fronts, not just the snakes. So much great advice on this thread that applies to all forms of stubborn ignorance and unfair prejudice. The only thing to do is wait around until someone is ready to listen, because until then you're only beating your head against the wall. All that gets you is a headache and frustration.

I love how Judy put it.

....just shake your head and say very quietly, "I'm sorry you feel that way. It's wrong. And if you ever choose to open your mind and realize how selfish and unreasonable you are being, I'll be here with open arms and an open home."

Really, that's the best anyone can do even though waiting for them to come around can be a real test of patience and endurance. But if they're not ready... they're not ready.