Joanna...
THANK YOU!!!
Thank you both for your techniques and for including the 'why's' of what and how you do what you do:)
We follow the same rules in our home about snakes around the neck, kissing anything that can't give itself a bath, and hand washing etc.
We have been so fortunate to be involved with these animals.
I tell our boys they are lucky their Dad has allergies, otherwise they would have had a dog like their friends;)
Being involved in the research and care of the reptiles has helped our kids appreciate life at all levels. there were several instances at the elementary school that our oldest son came home very upset about regarding kids stoning critters on the playgruond etc.
As a kid who would not ever stand up for himself I was shocked when he intervened on the part of the playground critters.I was even more shocked when I asked the school counselor to talk to the 5th graders about how to treat animals and her reply was "this is normal" behavior. They are thinking 'gee, if I throw a rock at the squirrels head what will happen?'".:O
After a full week of increasing incidents, our bringing her information about kids who injure animals on a regular basis and how they can be more likely to grow up and treat humans the same way (and the fact we sent out a note to the 5th grade parents explaining what was going on)...she finally did a 5 minute talk about treating animals 'nice'.:rolleyes:
I also like that they have learned that while people can be mean on purpose that animals are operating on a different set of life rules...hunger, fear, comfort.
They do not premeditate for days on how to bite you to get back at you for something (although it may feel like it;)).
That is why I really needed some guidance on how to read the BPs...our corns are so predictable...and with practice we will figure out our Frank too. I apologized to our son and explained why it was my fault. I asked if he was nervous to hold Frank again. He said, "Nope, I just need to observe better what he is trying to tell me."
{on a related note: Our local humane society does temperament testing on the dogs up for adoption. The dogs never get 'marked down' for growling..because they are communicating the only way they can.}
Since snakes don't growl I need to be more aware of what they are signaling and teach our kids the same.:snake::gj:
Thank you again to everyone:bow:...wish us luck on the first feeding for Frank tomorrow:)