Random Thoughts

[rabernet]

Today I'm cleaning tubs for my collection, and as I'm doing so, I'm taking time to handle each animal, and appreciate each one for their own unique beauty and thinking just how blessed that I am to have each one in my collection, and how honored I am to provide them with the best care that I know how. And I realize (although I've always known) that I love each of them just because they "are".

I think many of us with larger collections ask ourselves - if I ever had to cut back my collection, who would I keep and who would I let go? I've got a couple who are definite top favorites (Winston and Pretzel come to mind). I haven't handled Echo much for the past two seasons, because she's been in the breeding rotation both years, and I try to minimize handling (and stress) to my breeding females. This season she's taking the season off, and I was cleaning her tub, and she had just shed, and I was just taken in with the irredescence of her new skin, the sleekness of it, and the raw strength in her body. She's "just" a normal, but one of the first baby girls I raised up when I started in this. She's a quiet and steady presence in my collection and one of only three that resides in my bedroom. My heart just burst with love for this amazing creature and the gifts she's already given me.

And then my thoughts moved on to all the amazing individual people that I've had the honor of getting to know through this hobby. Sure, there's an ugly political side to this hobby, but I choose to not dwell on that part, and focus on the people in my life that I know love their animals as much as I love mine - that RESPECT their animals as much as I respect mine.

And I feel very blessed today - and enriched for sharing my life with these amazing creatures, and some amazing people - many of them members of this very forum!

[MarkieJ]

You've captured the thoughts and feelings that I (and many others) have for this hobby, that is just too hard to explain. Although I'm not too active in this community (I'm mainly a big time lurker), I want to thank you for sharing your experiences with me.

[Boanerges]

I agree!!! Well thought and said Robin!!!! Come to think of it I can't agree with the top two fav's in my collection being Winston and Pretzel because they are in yours. BUT I am sure if they were in mine they would be at the top of my fav's too

[fishmommy]

I feel the exact same way!

I have such a hard time explaining my love for snakes to people, but its so great that all of you here 'get it'

My ball is still my favorite - the most adorable and gentle creature in the whole world!

My boa is much more of a companion to me, and obscenely gorgeous in all he does.

I can't wait to get more snakes and experience even more fascination and beauty

[abuja]

Wonderfully said. No one else I know outside of this forum is as fond of reptiles as myself, but when I'm on here, I feel like I'm totally accepted and fit in for once. This forum is an amazing place to be for people like us!

[SlitherinSisters]

I agree! They are really gorgeous and unique creatures. I love everyone one of them for their unique qualities. I don't think I chose one to let go of! Accept maybe that evil boy you sent me Robin! Just kidding! I love him and his attitude, he's so dark and beautiful! I always pick him up and tell him to deal with it.

[rabernet]

I agree! They are really gorgeous and unique creatures. I love everyone one of them for their unique qualities. I don't think I chose one to let go of! Accept maybe that evil boy you sent me Robin! Just kidding! I love him and his attitude, he's so dark and beautiful! I always pick him up and tell him to deal with it.

Is he still being evil? LOL I bet he looks really nice with the irridescence after a shed! My "evil" kids I just look at and go "seriously??? really????" and just pick them up as well.

[Elise.m]

I definitely know where you're coming from. Even though I'm new in this hobby, I have so much love for my snakes. Even when they're being butts and just hiding, not wanting to come out. It just tickles me when they do come out and I appreciate it even more. I talk to them, and they show me their personalities. Sometimes I just go look at Snickets' tank, and just giggle cuz I'm so happy she's with me.

My one good friend doesn't like snakes, so I don't get to talk about mine as much. She has 3 dogs, and one horse. She only knows how she can love animals that respond to your actions. I can read my snakes body language, and for me that's just as good.

She's always asking me why I just don't go and get a dog. Honestly, after taking care of snakes for a few months, a dog seems like too much work! I do intend on getting one in the far future though!

[AaronP]

At the end of the day when all the poo is hitting that big ole' fan I find it extremely calming when I pull open a few tubs and look at why I'm in this hobby to begin with. It really is amazing to me how calming holding my Adult Albino boy is. I actually didn't even realize this till very recently when a ridiculous episode occurred with one of my projects and I did exactly what I mentioned earlier and I was instantly calm and relaxed.

[Bruce Whitehead]

Well said Robin.

I am the same I avoid the politics and a lot of the ugly that I see in the hobby. I simply do not have the time or the inclination to wade through it.

I had friends over last night and they have never handled snakes before, so we were in the snake room and I was explaining the different morphs and what the combinations do with each other etc.

We spent 90% of our time on the normals, comparing them, noting the differences, and just really appreciating their beauty, the tone to the bodies, the way they moved, etc.

I love getting to look at a collection through a few sets of completely new eyes. The one snake that took everyone's breath away was the one normal female I hatched out this year.

And she is hands down, JUST a normal.

I get a very similar feel when I explain my snakes, because I start to remember each one's story. And it always takes me on a great journey through my years in the hobby and (as you noted) the great people I have met, the experiences, the learning, and the community.

When my friends asked me what two snakes I would keep... it was Olive and Kevin (and it always is) two normals that are my two favorite snakes to handle. And they did their best to win over my friends last night as well.

It has to be about these amazing animals, or why do it?

Thanks for such a great post.
Bruce