Ok bear with me here. I love my snakes, I really do. But I've been thinking lately maybe I'm not cut out for this anymore. Once upon a time, I spent a few minutes each day or every other day holding my snakes, checking them over and checking their tubs. They were given 15 minutes of playtime on the bed under close supervision at least once a week. I took great pride in my animals, and in giving them great care.

But now? I rarely get them out unless it's to show one to someone. I don't spend time with them anymore. Sometimes they go a week or more before I'll remember to check their tubs and change their water.
What was once a joy has turned into a job. And it's one I don't much like to do anymore. I feel badly when a week goes by and I forget to even check their water dish. Or a month goes by and the only time they see me is when I feed them. And feeding has gotten sporadic too. Sometimes I don't feed for two weeks or more. I tell myself "today is feeding day, don't forget!" But then I get distracted by other things, and when I do remember it's too late. So I say I'll do it tomorrow, but then the cycle just repeats itself.

More and more I am becoming the kind of snake keeper I can't stand, but I don't know what to do about it. Should I just give up, sell all my snakes and forget them? Should I keep one or two and try to be better for them? Should I try to get my family to help, knowing the snakes are my responsibility and everyone else has lots of stuff of their own to worry about.

When I do spend time with my snakes, I am happy. I love to interact with them, talk to them, watch them. But it seems I never spend time with them anymore. And the babies I bred and was so proud of... no one has bought one. I thought they would before now. They were so beautiful and so much better than most of the ones I see, but no one seems to care. I've gone to shows with them, and people comment on how nice they are and how beautiful, but then they just walk on. It feels like I worked so hard for nothing. I don't even get excited about my 50/50 pied anymore. He's just another baby to feed and dirty tub to clean. And after waiting so very long to have one like him, since the early '90's you would think I'd be thrilled to have him, but I'm not. Not anymore.

I just don't understand what went wrong. Why I was once so happy to have them, to breed them and care for them, and now I just don't care. They are a chore, a bother, sometimes I even feel resentment
that I need to care for them.

So please someone, tell me what you think has changed, and what you think I should do. I am lost at this point.

Gale