this is pretty much how it goes. you dont have to try and change their opinion, just make sure they understand they are your pets.Originally Posted by LGray23
My brother, literally, would rather die and be cut up into little pieces than be in the same room knowingly as a spider. I own 11 tarantulas.
He totally disapproves, he'll visit my house sometimes but will completely avoid the room where I keep them. I respect his ridiculous fear by not taking them out and chasing him around the house with them, but I also make it perfectly clear that these are my pets and demand the same respect for them as if they were a dog/cat/guinea pig.
I got lucky, my mother loves snakes. My step father HATES them, but even with that hatred for them allowed me to house them at HIS HOUSE for 2 days when I was without power. He'd probably still run over a harmless garter snake with the mower every chance he gets, but he respects my love for them and don't think he'd EVER do it in front of me. It's tough when your family doesn't share the same passion as you do, but there should be a mutual respect. I don't think taking out one of your snakes when the disliking party completely has no interest will do any good. If anything, it will piss him off further.
A fear, as ridiculous as they are sometimes, is still a fear. You can try just talking to him about different facts about your snakes. Sneak them into conversations occasionally. Eventually they will warm up to the idea that they are your pets and you genuinely love them...and if you're lucky they'll respect your love for them in time...even if they never ever want to see them lol.
My mother is in town and is deathly afraid of them, with that said, i do not take them out i just take care of them as i normally do and dont force them down her throat. her own curiosity got a hold of her and she watched them eat... from a "safe" distance. and for me and how my mom is that was a HUGE win. they dont need to like understand or care for my pets, just simply respect that they are my pets.
if you try to force it on them, you will just get frustrated in most cases.
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