cruel world

[trumetal96]

Jeeze, some people are ignorant. It's simple, if you don't like what you see, don't look. Theres no need for insults/comments.

[wilomn]

And another point about your post that wasnt thought out too well, yes you should fear cars, would you stand in front of one? I know I almost poop myself during the times there is a near accident.. Whats one of the first lessons you learn from your parents when you walk? "look both ways before crossing the road"...

And alcohol doesnt have much better of a track record... Lets see you can die driving on it, die from alcohol poisoning, hell there was a guy here last year who froze to death on his front poarch from passing out because he was drunk....

Also 14 years ago did you even keep reptiles? 14 years ago how into the "reptile world" were you? Back then word didnt travel far or fast because there wasnt internet everywhere. I dont care how close to AZ you live, just because you didnt hear about it doesnt mean it didnt happen..

It's funny when one of you kids starts trying to tell me that way back when we didn't know things because there wasn't any internet.

Get real buck-o.

There were telephones and newspapers and TV and TALKING to each other, not to mention letter writing and Newsletters. We actually knew stuff even way back then, before the internet brought it instantly to your living room.

I've got snakes older than 14. There are days when it does feel like I've been around forever.

Forgive my naivete'. You see, when I make a statement purporting such wondrous things as snakes swallowing people up to their knees, I am prepared to prove that I am not the attention seeking ignorance propounding urban legend repeating center of attention thin skinned repeats whatever he hears as truth.

I just figured that was sort of a low standard that anyone could manage.

I see that I was incorrect in my thinking.

My apologies.

[pythontricker]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh, I would get in such a heated argument with them it wouldn't even be funny. I am a spit fire when people criticize my snakes, Its happened too. You don't even want to know what words come out of my mouth in that sort of scenario. yeesh. lol

[dmaricle]

wow alot has happened since i went to bed. easy guys not need to fight. lol, and as for the guy they post several pages back on how i transport my snakes... i have cages set aside for just this task and it works fine i would never put my snakes in harms way i love each and every one of them. as for snakes killing people, i know it can happen and yes a large ball python can choke you but like i tell people that ask me about them strangling me, you would have to let it choke you for it to do so. so if a bp kills you i call it suicide lol. and as for sleeping with a snake, why. to much can happen you can roll on them, they can get way, they are not like dogs they wont like come and curl up next to you and stay there all night.

[Mochelem]

Yes that is what I was saying, peoples fear comes from not knowing about snakes. They view a BP no different than an anaconda...

I use every chance I get to inform people about my snakes, and how they are harmless...

[frankykeno]

Okay enough with the slinging insults back and forth. Keep this thread on topic, which is our society and it's reaction to snakes being taken out in public and how best we should respond to negative feedback.

[dsirkle]

Most of these type of stores have signs that say "Pets Welcome" and they urge you to bring your pets in. Ignorance is not confined to snakes in these situations. As an owner of a Dogue de Bordeaux (a well mannered and friendly one I might add) I have encountered people both in stores such as this one and walking in my neighborhood that recoil in fear and pronounce him to be a vicious animal. In fact when I moved into this neighborhood someone reported to the police that we were harboring a vicious animal that is a danger to small children. The canine officer was dispatched to the call and he had a good laugh. People with toy breeds of dogs have told me that I should not be allowed to own such a dog. Evidently they feel that a dog should be similar to a bunny rabbit. If you have a pet that is a little outside of the ordinary you just need to be prepared to deal with ignorance on a regular basis because you will encounter it regularly.

[frankykeno]

I find that quite funny, Dale, because I'd flat out trust a larger breed anyday of the week over a toy breed when it comes to my kids. A lot of the smaller breeds are very snappy especially around fast moving kids that can pet a little too hard. I know growing up with had GSD's a bit over the 100 lb mark that were completely devoted and gentle with children but you had to watch our little red doxie....she's turn on a dime and nip sometimes for no apparent reason.

People are just people though and often think somone needs to know their opinion. It's your opinion, therefore keep it to YOURself is my thought on those types LOL. Last time anybody fussed at me about having snakes and kids I gave them the stats on dog bites yearly and asked them nicely if they kept Fido confined away from the their poor kids.

[qiksilver]

give me a large dog over a small one any day. I have to admit I have met some personable small dogs, but usually they're the ones that are out of control and the owners just ignore it because they're little. I've seen more vicious small dogs than I have large dogs. I don't want to generalize but it seems to me large dog owners take more responsibility for their animals than do those of small dogs, because fifi the teacup chihuahua is just gonna sit there and gnaw off your ankle and not do much harm and it's going to be ignored even though it is still aggression. Meanwhile the impeccably trained large breed will be demonized.

We as a community (all animals not just snakes) do have to take this responsibility because so many people are uninformed. There are those like you Dale that properly trained and socialized your dog, but there are other who got the biggest meanest looking bully breed dog because they're trying look tough.
Same with snakes. Unfortunately some owners get snakes because they think it's the cool irreverent thing to do. Kinda like some people like live feedings because it's one animal killing another. Because people don't understand that people like us on this board actually appreciate our animals for their beauty and because we're just plain fascinated by them they're more likely to group us in with the thrill seekers and irresponsible owners. (A certain youtube celebrity comes to mind with his spouting of ridiculous information. I just saw another one of his videos, which is what spurred this diatribe.)

Comes with the territory, it's just unfortunate to hear when responsible keepers are vilified for it (like one of our members losing his job recently). THe OP's encounter could have been much worse, for example the educator who had his burm's head stomped, because there are some people who refuse to come out of their comfort zone. Education is great, but it won't reach everyone, this family is a perfect example. They were probably not afraid of your snakes, they were probably just reacting to poor information and the stigma surrounding these animals. People like that often will not change their ways either.

sorry for the rant.

[nchapa]

I dont think that any church preaches that snakes are evil, at least I've never heard that in any any church. My wife is evangelical christian and she does not give me a hard time about my 1.1 balls, she actually like them. I think it has to do with personal beliefs and fears of some people and they justify their hate with saying stuff about the bible.

One thing I always tell people is that a pair of snakes got on Noah's Ark.



^my son wanted me to add these. LOL