Is my Female pastel expecting?

[dakski]

Oh boy, over reacting much??? I see people like you every year, own 1 or two snakes for less than a year, want to breed or end up with eggs not being prepared, are in over their head, and less than 5 years later sell everything.

You do not want advice that may spare you from making a mistake or two and make this an enjoyable experience rather than one where you struggle, fine enjoy you won't be the first putting the carriage before the horses.

5 years! That's forever for someone unhappy with reptiles!

I try to gently pace people. However, it's not my say, and I know it. It's also not about me and I need to pace myself and not take it personally when people don't want to listen.

However, so many people get turned off by proper advice, or do not ask for it, and end up with an unhappy, or worse, sick or dead animal, and then hate the hobby.

I know, I learned the hard way as a kid. I lost an iguana not knowing about calcium deficiency. This was pre-internet and I was 10 years old (1990). My parents figured it would fine to let me get pets if I wanted them, but I didn't know how to properly care for them and my parent's didn't bother learning either.

After that horrific experience, with a young iguana dying in my arms, I vowed to learn proper husbandry etc. and never let that happen again. I was an adult before I attempted keeping reptiles again, and, I had the internet and forums like this, on my side.

I have made a point of pacing myself, only getting what I can take care of, and making sure all my animals (canine and reptilian) are properly cared for. I also have to ensure that my job, friends, and fiancé, do not suffer either. I could care for more animals, but at what expense?

Even for me, it's hard to hear if I am doing something wrong, but I am always learning. It is clear that most users have my, and my pets, best interests at heart on this site.

Still, sometimes the desire to acquire, and/or pride, outweighs the desire, or more often, the ability, to do good by the animal(s). It's human nature, but it's also so sad to see people burn out and leave the hobby.

Deborah, you do your best, all the moderators and most of the users (frequent posters for sure), do the same.

That's all we can do. Oh, and share our frustration. We can also help the people who want it and want what's best for their animals. Those people have the potential to be reptile keepers for life/a long time.

I think some people who have just joined, or start posting, etc. do not realize that we have a small community of active users. We try to help and be there for each other, and for them. Many may not mean to step on toes, but from where I sit, when someone attacks a moderator, or a fellow community member/user, I get frustrated.

Not sure if this is even the right place to put all this, but it seemed relevant.

Thank you to all/any who read this.