With a very heavy heart...

[JLC]

There's no easy way to say or do this, so I'll just spit it out. I have to leave bp.net. It's not just this forum (which I LOVE) but the entire herp world for now.

Every now and then, there comes a time when you have to choose between two loves in your life. You have to choose between two paths of happiness. My love for my husband outweighs my love for herps by magnitudes. I found a great happiness in learning about and dreaming of collecting herps, and snakes in particular. But the more I did...the less happy HE became. He tried to hide it. He tried to support and humor me as best he could despite his increasing discomfort. He never asked me to do this. But I realize that as happy as I am with this hobby....HIS happiness means so much more to me. His happiness is not just a hobby for me...it's my life.

That's more personal than I intended to get...but I really want you all to understand. I love you guys so much, and will miss this place like crazy. But it just hurts me too much to come here and hear/see all the great ways your animals interact in your lives, and not want the same for mine.

This decision is not an impulsive one, or one lightly made. It tears at me to do this. BUT...no matter how hard it is, or how sad it makes me right now...there is a genuine peace in knowing I've made the right decision.

Should he ever have some sort of change of heart...I'll be back here in the blink of an eye.....

Take care of yourselves. Hug your snakes for me.

Love,
Judy

[Marla]

Judy, thank you for everything that you have done for and with us here. Your contributions, both public and private, have been greatly valued. I will miss you, and I know the forum will too.

[Sassafrass]

You will be greatly missed, Judy. Take care of yourself.

[Ginevive]

Aw, I am sorry to hear that. But I understand the need to avoid things that your mate just cannot handle. Priorities are so important in life. Thanks for the help you gave us!

[elevatethis]

Did you find good homes for all your herps yet?

[mlededee]

i am so sad that you will be leaving but i know that you are doing the right thing. i'm proud of you for making this good decision. you will be greatly missed.

[Anonymous]

I'm really sorry you have to leave
I personally think you can work this out, maybe get him into the hobby?

[hhw]

He tried to support and humor me as best he could despite his increasing discomfort.

Sounds like a great husband, worth giving up herps for. I wish you all the best, and hope that someday he'll get to like herps more and you'll be able to keep them again.

[gen]

I of course respect your decision and will miss you very much. Are you keeping your snake?

[led4urhead]

Judy, as sad as i am to see you go, i understand why you need to. Family comes before anything in this world in my book. Thanks for always being here, for what you have done, and what you gave to all of us. You will be greatly missed by me and the rest of our community.