Well, pets are a BIG thing. I'm lucky my S.O. likes my snakes. He's not totally comfortable handling them by himself, but he enjoys the happiness they bring me.

However he is not so lucky I hate cats. He had a cat before I met him, I moved in and let me tell you it's going to be a long 10 years before that cat moves on to a better place. I found out I'm allergic to cats after I moved in. We've been living together for 2 years, (and many cat arguments later) I've come to the point where I tolerate the cat. I still don't like it and personally feel cats are satan's gift to domestic pets.

If the cat disappeared I wouldn't miss it, and it probably would be days before I realized it was gone. Meanwhile, not only is he enamored with the cat...he really is a cat person, and thinks everything cat is adorable and funny. I tolerate the cat because he loves the darn thing so much.

I don't get the cat thing, then again not everyone gets my snake thing.

I keep saying once this cat goes, no more mammals. (okay maybe a dog, I like dogs, but only big dogs. No yorkies in THIS house, lol)

Anyway, my point is if your S.O. comes into the relationship and
has a VERY strong opinion of your pet they might "soften" their view to base tolerance but may likely NEVER like your snakes even though they don't shed on the couch and cough up strategically placed hairballs.

It's up to both of you to figure our where your priorities are, and working out the snake/pet issue. Pets are a long term commitment, relationships are a long term commitment, you have to be able to mesh the two.

My