I agree with Dan. I don't have enough time to devote to a dog and I hate cats. To me nothing is as pretty as a green tree python anyways. I grew up terrified of snakes, but always fascinated. I got a ball a year ago, then a few other things. Eventually a friend let me get a carpet very cheap and that's when my love for morelia fell into place. My girlfriend keeps my first ball and now I just keep a few carpets and green trees. I think the best decision of my life was getting over my childhood fear. This is defiantly a life long passion for many people and I think it will be for me as well.