Feeling discouraged.

[darkbloodwyvern]

I'm pretty much in agreement with everyone who's posted. Holidays, people seem like they are doing their best to worry about their collections right now as well! Winter is a little more stressful for me and sometimes it's hard to be helpful.

As well as some problems CAN'T be solved via the internet! Google cannot vaccinate your dog, cat or child against diseases!! It is only useful for figuring out whether your snake's little hissy sound might not be an RI and even then, you really should take the animal to a QUALIFIED professional! Even breeders here have veterinary offices they take their animals to. Plus, even a vet cannot diagnose anything over the phone, no matter how much they would like to help, people sue them over that sort of thing if i goes wrong!! I've worked at a vet for years and had to tell countless people asking me "What is wrong with my pet?" to take them to the vet and ask. It's expensive, but if your animal is really sick a good vet will do their best to save them or if things have gone too far, gently euthenize a too-sick pet.
Books, also are a great resource! I have about ten-twenty books on BPs, corns and other herps i don't even own! I got them all for under $5 at used bookstores! If you leave your name and phone, some places will call you when a used herp book come in. That and my parents usually buy me giftcards to Borders.... they know I will always be able to spend it!

Having pets is a lot of work, just like anything worth doing! Have many resources available to you. When BP.net is slow, you can try reading a book that might have the info you are looking for. I also recommend that people do networking locally. See if any of the local petstores have good, kowledgable staff, or if there are any people in the area with python experience! Craigslist is sometimes good for connecting with locals, though obviously be careful sharing personal information with anyone, whether via the net or at a store.

There's nothing wrong with normals. I love my normal pets, though keep in mind that there are LOTS of snakes looking for homes right now and be sure that you can afford to keep every baby you produce! Even high-end morphs aren't necessarily selling well right now, and you have to plan on keeping what you produce. OR plan ahead and line up homes ahead of time! Then if you have extra on the waiting list, you'll be sure every snake has a home and maybe you'll be able to have other people to talk snakes with while you get ready for the next season.

We want you and your snakes to be healthy and happy! If waiting to breed is the better choice, it is a hard choice for sure, but do it for your awesome pets! You want to know exactly what you are doing and be prepared for anything, good or bad!

LASTLY: Glad to hear she's doing better! It's always scary when your babies are sick/not feeling well!