It is one of the sadder things that happens as a keeper to loose a snake. I can't say I am as crushed when I loose a snake as I am when I loose a cat or a dog but it is a loss you feel none the less.

I lost my very old Kansas Red Sided Garter earlier this year. She had survived an ignorant jerk with a hoe or shovel or something that had stubbed her tail and left her with some scars. A friend in Kansas found her and sent her to me for my shows. I kept her about 4 years and she was the largest garter I have ever seen, despite missing 6 inches of tail and ate XL mice. Hundreds of kiddos had held her and got past fear. She was also my neice's snake that "Lives at Uncle Jack's House". When I burried her in the back yard I was pretty sad.

Sorry to hear about your loss, I hope the memories you have are very good and hope you take on another one. GTPs are special snakes and those who do the hard work to keep them are special people, my thoughts are with you. Here's a hug from a fellow herper that knows how you feel,