What a beautiful story. It reminds me of the story a co-worker told me about the bp he used to have. He used to let it free-roam and started vacuuming and the snake bolted across the room and wrapped itself around his leg. While this does not show the best judgement (considering how snakes can sense vibration, he should have realized the vacuum would scare the snake), it does show that the snake took comfort in being close to his owner.
I definitely think my snake recognizes me, just like she recognizes her mouse when it's feeding time. My version of pre-scenting is that I hold up the mouse and blow into the tank past the mouse - her tongue flicks furiouslyand she immediately goes into strike mode and it's very obvious.
Conversely, when I open the top of her tank and reach in for her, she flicks that tongueand seems to relax so I can lift her out. She never goes into 'strike mode' when my hand is in the tank. So this being so obviously different from feeding - in my mind there is no doubt that she recognizes me.
Also, I firmly believe they can differentiate between me and my hubby - their sense of smell is to good for her not to be able to do this.
Therefore, she can tell who her owner is.