One of my friends has been badgering me for my Columbian Red Tail Boa that I rescued several weeks ago. He had been to my house several times and fell in love with Merlin. He would always go right over to the tank and take him out, even if I didn't want him to mess with him.
My buddy had two Ball Pythons but lost one this past winter to an unknown cause. The snake died in January and he just buried it this past week after letting it sit outside on his porch in a garbage bag. That in itself bothered the heck out of me.
Anyways, he asked me if I would consider giving him the Red Tail as that was his favorite breed of snake. I had tried to help him in the past with his two B/P' as he kept them housed together with no thermometer, no hides, no humidity guages...nothing that is imperative to the health and well being of a python. I tried in the best way I could to tell him I couldn't let him take my Red Tail. When he asked why, I told him I honestly didn't think he was really cut out to be a snake owner. I explained to him how I have tried to get him to take better care of the one python he has left and he has just brushed me off. I told him I simply couldn't let any snake go to someone who I was not 100% confident was going to care for it the way it needed and deserved to be taken care of.
Needless to say, he got very offended with me and what I told him. I didn't say it in a nasty manner, just laid the facts out plainly so he knew exactly where I was coming from. I dunno, my feelings about the whole deal is this. Why bother rescuing a snake only to give him to someone who is going to treat him the same way, or worse than he was treated before I rescued him? It just doesn't make much sense to me to let a snake go to someone who isn't going to take proper care of it. The snakes I have rescued are starting to show more signs of life and are actually acclimating well to their new homes. The Red Tail especially had a hard time adjusting but is now feeding well and is actually becoming more sociable. I have spent a TON of time with Merlin and he has responded well to my efforts and it shows. His skin is more vibrant, he's feeding on a normal schedule now..the whole deal. I just really feel I would be sigining his death wish if I gave him to my buddy.
To make a long story short, my buddy told me to do something anatomically impossible to myself and stormed out of the house after tossing Merlin back at me in a huff. Thank God I caught him without injuring him. I have resolved myself that this guy will NEVER touch another one of my pets after this outburst. I hated to see things end like this, but I love my snakes and I just couldn't bring myself to let Merlin go to someone who wouldn't take care of him the way he should and deserved to be taken care of.
Was I wrong for taking a stand like this with him? I feel crappy about it, but at least my snakes are safe and sound.