Sat. morning Vet. visit

[Snakeknot]

I don't have room to speak. I'm getting laser therapy on my sand boa when just yesterday someone told me not to waste my time and just neosporin the wound and give him warm baths!

I don't have kids, but kids need to be taught the truth, not recycled gossip and myths that are so prevalent nowadays! Its also very important that they be taught to care. I have an in-law with three kids and no animals are allowed in the house, not even fish. I feel so sorry for those kids. They LOVE animals. The flip side to that is kids not exposed tom animals grow up treating them like THINGS without any feelings and torment them for their own amusement.

I much prefer the way Steve is doing it! Those kids are gonna grow up saying, "I had the coolest Dad! He let me have snakes and everything!"

Devon

[prattypus]

I agree- kids need exposure. I went out with my nwphew and his friend. We came across a wandering, I asked his friend if he was going to pick it up- HE TRIED TO STEP ON IT. His justification was that he wanted to be able to get a good hold on it- I asked him why, and he told me it was just a snake.

Throughout the day we caught a couple, and he told me he had never been that close to a snake. He named them, an even started telling me about what they were doing. I'm sure he hasn't been turned 180, but he didn't know better. Hopefully with more outings he will get more into the flow of gently catching them.

[infernalis]

My daughter is the whole reason we have snakes now. She caught Xena (my first Dekayi, recently passed from old age) in the back yard and asked if we could keep it.

At least two of my kids will likely have snakes when they are all grown up.

[ConcinusMan]

That's awesome. I was one of those kids growing up that first encountered a snake (actually dozens of them) when I was about 7 years old. (1977). I was instantly facinated. One might even say obsessed. And of course, that hasn't changed. Mom and dad of course said yes when I asked "can I keep him?"

[drache]

not sure what to say about your vet situation, Richard
I guess I'm very fortunate to have found not only several vets in my life-time that were in it for their love of animals, but even one who's a herp nut with a particular passion for garters; I was however taking my animals to get regular checks and appropriate treatment when needed even when I had nowhere but that clinic where they charged a base fee of $80 and would only schedule one herp per day
when I found out about the great vet, I got the zipcar membership, so I could have a car for the 50 minute drive. turned out to be well worth it. Now that he's moved to Pennsylvania, I even manage to cop rides for my animals, although that really doesn't work well in emergencies
it irks me when someone refers to garters as less worthy of care in some way, as does seem to occur from time to time on this forum.

[Tyrel26]

i agree with guido and drache, everything is worthy of compassion; even the mice we feed our snakes. Ive seen posts from a lot of good people on this site and Ive seen some post that I really dont care for. Too many people keep snakes simply because they are "cool" or merely for the vast variety of colors that can be obtained through selective breeding. I agree that all there colors are beautiful but i dont see one that is worth more than another, be it a pet youve had for years or a snake that you just found injured in your driveway.

Knowing there are people like guido out there makes me happy, because millions of people fear and hate snakes, thousands seek to kill them, many find them interesting, a few like them but there are very few that truly care for them and there are ever fewer that will do what he does to help them.

Also some people say that they went to a pet store or an expo and seen a few snakes that were in "rough shape" so they wouldnt buy them....these are the snakes i look for, they may die but ill do my best to make what time they have left better than the times theyve seen so far.

[ConcinusMan]

Oh let's not bring that up again. I've already said all there is to say about animals as food items. I love garter (and all) snakes, and I feel for the mice. I do what it necessary. I have no problem with feeding a garter snake to a king snake, for example. Or even a king snake to a king snake. Done that too. That pissed off a few people, but oh well. I'm sure it pisses other people off that I feed mice to snakes. That's just the way it is. You can have compassion AND feed your snakes whatever animal it is that they need and like to eat.

All I was saying before is that it is possible to do harm to the species or population by coddling and saving the weak/sick ones. Those are the ones that would have probably become food for other animals, in their weakened condition. Save them, and they pass on whatever genes they have, and possibly their proneness to illness or whatever ales them. I don't think we should interfere in the case of a species that is not endangered. I can also admire what he is doing, and why is doing it. I just wouldn't do it myself, especially considering the expense involved.

I love you steve, you're a great man with great values. I just wouldn't do that myself.

[Tyrel26]

didnt mean to bring anything up again and my post was not directed at you. I do agree with you on the compassion and being able to feed....yada yada lol

All i am saying is I think it great that he does what he does, and like you due to the expense involved I cannot take wild animals to the vet. If i am able to help them from my home i do; and if i am not and the animal is either suffering or has no chance of recovery I end its life to end its pain; be it a tiny snake or a 1500lb moose. (and no i didnt bring the moose home haha) If the animal seemed to be sick i destroy the body, if it was injured i returned the body to nature to feed whatever finds it.

again, i didnt mean to solo you out. I appreciate your feed back and opinion, and i just posted pics of a new garter that you may find interesting

[guidofatherof5]

I appreciate all your kind words but it really boils down to the fact they are in my care. I have a responsibily to give them the best chance at life
None of them are throw aways. I have and will continue to put down snakes when that time is called for. But if a snake is sick I don't think it's weak or genetically flawed. Our animals get sick and we take care of them.
My time with a snake named Tang was costly(money wise) and he was a wild find. I left that whole ordeal with a much deeper understanding of garter snakes and how to care for them. I got my monies worth. He was worth all the time and effort even though he died.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/show...highlight=Tang

[ConcinusMan]

And how could anyone possibly argue with that. I mean, I'm good. I can argue against something even if I am in agreement. I cannot possibly argue with that. ^^^ You win. I cannot think of anything to say in argument! Wow! You're good!