A friend indeed.

[dkatz4]

I have no snake friends IRL.
Among friends and family, my snakes are regarded with apathy at best, occasionally repulsion.
This week I have the pleasure of hosting an old friend for a few days, someone whom I've not seen in a long time. Last night after the kids were asleep, we were chatting and he mentioned that he'd been checking out my little yearling jungle, "She's beautiful!" he said. Cautiously, I ventured, "Do you like snakes?"
"I love snakes, they're amazing, I even got a snake tattoo on my thigh!"
For the next hour or so, for the first time, I talked snakes with someone who actually wanted to hear about them. For the first time I saw someone handling my beloved pets without fear or reservation (besides my 5 year old son). It was magical.
This hobby has provided me with more satisfaction and enjoyment than any other pastime I've ever known, but also isolation. I don't foresee any great shift in public opinion of reptiles in the near future and have pretty much accepted the notion that real life encounters like the one above will be few and far between. That is why this group and others like it are so important to me, and I want to thank everyone here for your generous digital conversation and virtual companionship.