There's no easy way to say or do this, so I'll just spit it out. I have to leave bp.net. It's not just this forum (which I LOVE) but the entire herp world for now.

Every now and then, there comes a time when you have to choose between two loves in your life. You have to choose between two paths of happiness. My love for my husband outweighs my love for herps by magnitudes. I found a great happiness in learning about and dreaming of collecting herps, and snakes in particular. But the more I did...the less happy HE became. He tried to hide it. He tried to support and humor me as best he could despite his increasing discomfort. He never asked me to do this. But I realize that as happy as I am with this hobby....HIS happiness means so much more to me. His happiness is not just a hobby for me...it's my life.

That's more personal than I intended to get...but I really want you all to understand. I love you guys so much, and will miss this place like crazy. But it just hurts me too much to come here and hear/see all the great ways your animals interact in your lives, and not want the same for mine.

This decision is not an impulsive one, or one lightly made. It tears at me to do this. BUT...no matter how hard it is, or how sad it makes me right now...there is a genuine peace in knowing I've made the right decision.

Should he ever have some sort of change of heart...I'll be back here in the blink of an eye.....

Take care of yourselves. Hug your snakes for me.

Love,
Judy