Quote Originally Posted by btshipp View Post
Aw thanks Zina, that's a very kind thing to say and does make me feel better. I run a bit of a zoo in my home, at one point we had a cat, dog, two baby squirrels, a Carolina Anole (rescued after freezing on my porch in February 2017, released in April 2017), and Maurice the BP. I'm going to have to take a little while to get over this one before I get my next snake. I'm actually undergoing a career change now to move towards veterinary science before it's too late and I'm too embedded in my current field. I just don't know if I'll be able to handle it when animals don't make it.
I tried working for a vet when I was a kid thinking about veterinary school. EPIC FAIL! I was so miserable every time an animal had to be put down or was in pain.

Wise, thoughtful, and respectful of you to wait and honor your lost friend. Also very smart to wait until your head is in the game to get another snake.

I've been there. I've put dogs down, lost reptiles, and had to put my Beardie, George, down in 2016 after 11 years with me. He developed pancreatitis and was in pain whenever he ate. I didn't want to put him through the surgery to buy him 6 months to a year. I cried like a baby and it took me a year to get Frank, my Blue Tongue Skink.

I don't care what other people say, you can bond with any animal. I love all creatures and cannot even feed live food to snakes (I feed everyone F/T). Losing a companion, furry or scaly, it doesn't matter, it hurts, a lot.

Good luck healing and mourning. You will get through this.