I'm so glad that you & your snake made some new friends. But...& not to be a "wet blanket" or anything, but it's not really fair or a good idea IMO
to take your snakes to public places where people do NOT expect to see them and where it may impact their business (or their customers). While I
like nothing better than to see people overcome their fears, phobias are not something people have by choice. What would you have done if someone
actually reacted with a heart attack? Or if they tripped & got hurt in a panic to leave?
Instead of doing this by surprise, you might ask the local library or school if they'd like a brief "show & tell". My local library hosts a Saturday morning
"story-time" where a story related to a theme of the day is read to young children, then they have a maybe a guest (like me with my snakes) for a little
program, then they did crafts (that day, making snakes out of paper etc). There was no shortage of adults peeking and joining in too. If you're lucky
enough to live near a 'nature museum' that's another place too.
Also, some churches hold a Blessing of the Animals (celebration of St. Francis of Assisi)...I've been the only snake owner among large gatherings of
other animal lovers, most quite receptive to meeting a snake...but even then, I was the first one to arrive & made sure the minister was OK with it
ahead of time. I also let others approach me, not the other way around. Comically after the first year of doing this, their church bulletin made sure
to mention that "all pets, even snakes" are welcome, and the bulletin after each year's ceremony made mention of the diversity of animals that were
blessed, "even horses & snakes..." Those who knew him well said the minister got a kick out of his "bragging rights" for having met yet another snake,
LOL! And my snakes are always totally docile. But do ask first...scaring people can backfire against our "community".
Reply With Quote