should i just give up on snakes?

lately i have been getting so much crap from everyone about how it's stupid for me to treat my snakes the way i do and that im just waisting my time even haveing snakes. my snakes r my like and i put them before myself no matter what. it feels like im all alone now i dont know if i should keep my snakes or just give up

Keep em who cares what other people think. As long as your snakes are taken care of that's all that should matter

Don't give up on them if its something you really love. Don't ever let someone convince you to give up your passion. Just remember that these people who try to convince you otherwise just don't understand. They don't like snakes like you do, so to see someone be so passionate about them, it confuses them.

Keep your snakes and have fun with your hobby! :D

Your story contridicts itself...If you feel that strongly about your animals you would never consider giving them up, unless you are not capable of taking care of them.

why keep them? if its all about what other people like, and how other people see you.....


$%@#^@%^$%^@%^@$%&#%^&#%^ everyone!
this is a VERY NOT SEEN EVERYDAY HOBBY THAT PEOPLE THINK IS JUST STRANGE!

honestly! dont ever try to make others happy! they are happy in their misery.
and want to bring you down too.

so you have an obsession with balls? alot of americans do!
dont give up! how much more happiness have snakes brought you than the people talking all this crud about it. if they were real friends and family, they would be happy for you and cheer you on.

never saying a negative thing about it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pixie6710

lately i have been getting so much crap from everyone about how it's stupid for me to treat my snakes the way i do and that im just waisting my time even haveing snakes. my snakes r my like and i put them before myself no matter what. it feels like im all alone now i dont know if i should keep my snakes or just give up

---

I think you have to find a happy balance. I don't know if I'd put my pets before myself. Being a responsible pet owner is important and no one should tell you it's okay to be a bad owner, BUT there has to be a time for you and a place for your pets in your life. It is easy to become compulsive with pets, but you must realize they are just pets. A good relationship with family and friends is more important. If you find that having your pets is becoming too much, find someone that can help. Maybe you are spending too much time, energy and money on your snakes. That doesn't mean you have to have it all or nothing. Compromise, if you have 10 snakes and it becomes too much, sell a few. If you still find yourself overwhelmed, sell a few more. Continue to do this until you have found a balance.

Lets face it, snake keeping can get expensive. It's not a measure on your character if you can't afford as many snakes as you have. I've done that. Years ago, I owned 73 snakes. Way too many for me at that time. So I sold some.

Talk to your family and friends. Let them know that your snakes are an important part of your life and you understand the fact that they don't like them or think you're crazy for owning them. But as long as you do this responsibly, it's your decision. Ask them to please respect that.

But, if they are seeing something that you're not seeing (as an example; you're becoming compulsive with your snake collection) they have to be able to tell you what they really feel. That's just a good, healthy relationship. Sort of a check and balance. What are they saying to you? Are they really concerned, or just giving you a hard time? Are they just picking on you for fun, or do they see something that seriously worry them?

Just realize that you don't have to go to extremes. You can own as many snakes as you can comfortable afford or have time for. But if something changes in your life, you don't have to sell every snake you own.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FatBoy

Your story contridicts itself...If you feel that strongly about your animals you would never consider giving them up, unless you are not capable of taking care of them.

---

thats probably the way those people see it.

i dont make much money and can barley afford to feed myself.
come feed day i make sure they eat before i do.

some people see that and think "why try"

but we love our animals and our addictions more.


i just realized that made me sound like a druggy... lol

you should always put yourself first before anything, but besides that if your snakes are your true passion than follow it most people don't even have passions or hobbies but only you know if keeping snakes is right for you

whocares about anyone else! whatever floats your boat!



people are nuts with dogs cats every animal out there you aren't alone....

type in Gerbil and you will find FORUMS FORUMS AND MORE FORUMS!!! of how people dress their Gerbils up and how they love them so much! its no different except snakes are made to be "Bad Guys" in movies and TV so people tend to think its more strange but hey...i always loved the bad guys! ;D

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9...tachmentw0.jpg





to end my Rant all i have to say it...if you Friends are Acutely that! FRIENDS they wouldn't care!!! what you like they are suppose to support you through ANYTHING!!...and if they don't well...they aren't very good friends are they?



Kay Done Rant! :$

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sookieball

thats probably the way those people see it.

i dont make much money and can barley afford to feed myself.
come feed day i make sure they eat before i do.

some people see that and think "why try"

but we love our animals and our addictions more.


i just realized that made me sound like a druggy... lol

---

lol im not that bad. i make sure i have all the stuff i need done for myself done when it needs to be but call me crazy if i am low on money and my snakes need food, they come first, i can fend for myself. they need help.

If you cant feed yourself, and your snakes you may need to thin down. People are people they will allways be those that dont care or understand our like of snakes. Some can be educated enought to understand, others never will.

If you love your animals keep them. I get the same thing and i have cursed several people over it, and told them take there butt else where. My snakes bring enjoyment to my life. Im in the progess of getting stuff situated, and getting a Male retciulated Python, And i hear alot of mess about that. But i dont care what other people think. Dont let people preach or run there mouth to you about it. If its what you love to do then do it. There aint a day that would come that someone would talk me into getting rid of my snakes. People fear what they do not know about, and they media with there b/s does not help any. I always make sure my snakes get what they need. I really dont care what people think about me having snakes. It is my choice and nobody elses.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pixie6710

.... it feels like im all alone now i dont know if i should keep my snakes or just give up

---

This is one of the primary reasons why sites like this exist...so you WON'T be all alone. We're here...and we understand. If you give up on your passion just because the folks in your immediate circle don't understand or like it...then you'll end up living a hollow and very sad life.

Enjoy your friends and family for who they are, and don't expect them to change for you anymore than you wish to change for them. Then come HERE to find folks that will celebrate your newest addition, help with your troubles, and offer hugs and support in the sad times.

I understand both sides of the argument.

First off, they are your pets and no one has the right to tell you you are crazy for owning them or to just get rid of them.

However, if you have so many you can't always take the best possible care of them, then it may be time to let a few go, and severely spoil the ones you keep.

I used to breed cockatiels, I did so for almost 20 years. I started out small, then added a few here and there, nothing too major. Or at least that's what I told myself. The fact was, I owned 50 adult birds and would have 40-70 babies at a time. I was handfeeding around the clock, I barely slept, I had no time for my husband or kids, I was over my head and refused to admit it.

It took a total stranger who came over to buy a baby one day to put it in perspective for me. I couldn't even tell you what they said, but after they left I went into my bird room and looked around. I realized I went from taking superior care of the few birds I had to taking so-so care of the multitude I now owned. I realized they were suffering because I could no longer give them what I felt they deserved.

So I did what was then the hardest thing I'd ever done, I sat down with my husband, we worked out the best pairs for us to keep, and in a few weeks we went from 25 pairs down to 8. I redirected my new found energy into giving the ones I kept the best of the best, and I felt better for it.

Don't let anyone tell you how to live your life, and if your snakes mean as much to you as I think they do, then keep them and tell anyone who disagrees not to let the door hit them in the butt on the way out it.

But if they have a slightly valid point, think things over carefully, and you'll make the right choice.

Gale