Pet identity crisis :(

[Ginevive]

I thought of posting here.. then I didn't want to.. now I will. I feel that I am going through a pet identity crisis. I love my BPs, but their rack is taking up much of our studio apartment.. I only have 6 snakes left and am not using the whole rack, and can't afford to take on any more snakes..

Life in Cali is awesome. I am very busy but also have my free time; new friends, etc. But I am left feeling a bit unfulfilled..

Long story short, I want a pet rat again. Or two, to be exact (so that they'd have a friend.) I miss my ratties that I used to breed in NY. And while I fully appreciate my snakes and don't ever want to rid myself of them all.. they are not as interactive and cuddly as a rat could be.

Thing is: in order to have space for a rat cage; I would have to sell my rack. I can not fit anything more in here.. and there is no way around that at all. Now I don't want to get rid of my snakes; there are two that, no matter what, I always want to keep. I am thinking that if we sold the 4 other snakes and the rack, that I could just keep my 2 big girls in tubs stacked, and be able to arrange things so that I could fit a rattie cage in here.

I just ache for a pet that is more mammalian, more interactive. My cat is kewl, but he has really bonded more with my husband, and not me as much.. and we cannot get another cat because he is a one-cat cat. No dogs either. I love rats, and visioned myself adopting some from the SPCA with a cage and everything.

I had visions of big BP breeding dreams, but I can't breed anytime soon for space and money reasons.. so what are your thoughts on this? It is a tough time mentally for me and I hope that you have not lost faith in me as a snake keeper or a person in general.

[Epona142]

Sometimes things don't work out the way you planned.

I had dreams of breeding bps too. Didn't work out, but that's okay. There's something else out there for me.

I can't see why anyone would lose respect for you if you decide to go in a different direction.

[catawhat75]

Jen, you have to do what is best for you. If you want rats again (and the suckers are hard to resist!) then go for it. Most of us know that snakes take time & money and if you are in short supply of that and need to step away from your dreams for awhile until you are in a different place, then do it. I won't think any differently of you, nor do I think other people will.
I love my snakes but you are right when you say that they don't give you the affection that a furry pet will.

[sg1trogdor]

As long as you stay active on the forums I don't think anyone would have a problem with it. You are still and always will be a values member of this community. No one would think any less of you for choosing to do something that makes you happier.

[Darkice]

Can you keep the rats in the rack? Shouldn't be too hard to set them up a tub that they cant chew out of.
What snakes/morphs are you thinking of getting rid of?

[sg1trogdor]

As long as you stay active on the forums I don't think anyone would have a problem with it. You are still and always will be a values member of this community. No one would think any less of you for choosing to do something that makes you happier.

Oops I meant "valued" lol.

[h00blah]

i feel like im in the same boat as u. when i first started working, i filled my schedule so that i can work, hang out a bit, and take care of my snakes. but now, i feel that same unfullfillment that u feel. so i decided that i would take on another dream pet, that would be a little more satisfying, and cuddly.

thats why i decided that in november, after extensive research, that i wanted a b&w tegu. its the perfect reptile for meh, and ive already consulted many tegu owners about my schedule, and they gave me a lot of support. i worried bc of my scheduly, but there were ppl who had LESS time than i did who managed to keep a tegu.

i LOVE my snakes, and i just adore ALL herps. i must admit, i did not expect that having a snake would be like owning substrate, and hides. (idk where i read that, but someone posted that quote). thus, i feel a little disappointed.


i dont kno u, but i see uve been with this site for a very long time. so since ur a part of this community, i wanted to let u kno that u hav my support, and most likely everyone elses support for whatever u decide.

it seems like u have already thought of a strategy where u can have ur dream rats . plans change all the time, so if u want rats, get rats!!

[Bruce Whitehead]

Can you just put the cage on top of the rack? Unless you want to move some of the snakes, then there is nothing wrong with that in the least. Or get a shorter rack?

Not knowing all the specifics makes it hard...

I adore rats, and cannot imagine that I will ever not have any around, they really are the best pets.

Completely understand why you would want to have some back, and keep what animals will give you joy, you know that out there is someone who will give your snakes a great home if you choose to go that route.

Sorry you are making such a tough decision, but it is yours to make, no one is going to judge you (at least I cannot imagine that would happen).

Bruce

[Ginevive]

Thanks everyone. Your replies mean alot to me. I am still in a "thinking" phase.. I will let you's know how it goes.
I am thinking of the rats-in-rack idea.. but am afraid that they could chew out? Not sure.. lots of factors to put into the equation.. hopefully I will figure things out soon

[DarkComeSoon]

I know what you mean about not being interactive but I view that as ball python thing my red tail boa is very fun and wont sit still just constant exploring with him and so adorable I feel ball pythons dont have that much of a personality. My mother wants to breed him she just love red tails. So I understand ur desire for different pets.