A Brutal End

[ConcinusMan]

Hard to say. I've never met anyone who had a pet possum. I can tell you for sure, I wouldn't like seeing it, especially if it looked me in the eye. I think I'd lose it.

[guidofatherof5]

Seek help. Life shouldn't be lived this way.

[Kevinh583]

This is a bit off the topic of possum hatred, but I am curious how the snake lovers on this forum feel about venomous snakes. Specifically how do you deal with venomous snakes around your house? For people with kids/outdoor pets does your love of snakes conflict with your desire to protect your kids/pets?

Even though I am growing quite fond of my new garter friend I must confess I still would not look to kindly upon a cottonmouth or copperhead hanging around my house.

[ConcinusMan]

I respect venomous snakes for what they are, and like all snakes, I admire them. I lived near Little Valley, CA for a short time as a teen and I had a 5 foot rattlesnake that lived under my porch. When it was just me, I would expect him to be there ON my porch sunning himself every morning. He really wasn't a bother and I would simply brush him off the porch with a broom and go about my business. Later, I adopted a dog so obviously the snake had to go. I caught him and took him over the next hill about 1/4 mile and released him. I know you wouldn't want it hanging around your house, but if at all possible, I would have it removed alive and well.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

if a venomous snake is hanging around, there's no reason to kill it. Relocate it.

[infernalis]

if a venomous snake is hanging around, there's no reason to kill it. Relocate it.

Word!

If the possum bothers you that much, relocate it.

If you cannot control yourself, ask someone else to relocate it.

[Mommy2many]

A living being should not be killed just be killed. We all have our place here and if its presence is a nuisance or a threat, either remove yourself or relocate the animal.

I don't like spiders much and have said so, yet I will not kill one. I try my best to put them outside if at all possible. If they are outside, I respect the fact that that is where they live and they have as much a right to be there as I do.

We all need to take a step back and learn our place in the grand scheme of things. We are not necessarily perched at the top.

[Lovok]

Very nice.


My biggest problem is the people who won't listen at all. They, with a angry look on their face says "I don't care if they are harmless, I kill them anyway" I work with a lot of those people. They do not believe any snake can have a redeeming quality.

My former sister-in-law is like this. Whenever I'd post something on my Facebook page about Scylla, she'd come off with "The only good snake is a DEAD ONE! KILL IT!!", and "That's DISGUSTING! Where's the shovel?", sometimes even worse. And yes, she'd use caps for emphasis. I tried to explain, to educate, and mentioned others who were scared at first then realized she's harmless, all to no avail.

So, when I'd finally had the last straw, I let my anger take over, and when she'd post stuff about how baby bunnies were in her yard, I'd say "WOW! Great snake food!" When she posted a picture of one of her friend's new baby, I posted "Aaw, it's all wrinkly and scrunched up like an old man....now, how many weeks old are they supposed to be before their eyes open?" Finally, when she made mention of her cat, I said "Cats are sneaky, temperamental, unpredictable, evil, and they walk all through their own sh*t before jumping up and walking all over YOU, tables where you serve food, and not to mention their mouths have more filth than a public bathroom floor. They torture what should be their food, and then not even eat it. The only good cat is a DEAD cat. DROWN IT!!"

Of course, I didn't actually mean any of that stuff (well, maybe some of the stuff about cats...), and it could be construed as me sinking to her level, but her unnecessarily rude remarks about my choice of pets stopped, which was my goal anyway.

Sometimes, and with certain people, you really just have to let them know in no uncertain terms they're being unreasonable, irrational douche bags.

[ConcinusMan]

Word!

If the possum bothers you that much, relocate it.

If you cannot control yourself, ask someone else to relocate it.

A living being should not be killed just be killed. We all have our place here and if its presence is a nuisance or a threat, either remove yourself or relocate the animal.

I don't like spiders much and have said so, yet I will not kill one. I try my best to put them outside if at all possible. If they are outside, I respect the fact that that is where they live and they have as much a right to be there as I do.

We all need to take a step back and learn our place in the grand scheme of things. We are not necessarily perched at the top.

You two have obviously not heard a word I said. You totally missed the point. Once again, I totally agree with where you are coming from but that means nothing when I am actually face to face with a possum.

[infernalis]

I have been trying to understand your affliction for a couple days now, all I really can say is some things are better kept to yourself and not put out on a public bulletin board for examination by folks that will react in a negative way.

Then in your attempts to defend yourself, you just keep putting more and more gruesome details in your posts, effectively digging the hole deeper and deeper.

This is just an observation and in no way meant to be disrespectful.