Its oh so quiet Shh Shh

[guidofatherof5]

All this talk about loneliness, hurt feelings and real men crying . . . did I just tune in to the Dr. Phil show?

I never did cry, just for the record.

[DerekB]

Well, Steve, you may not have cried, but I just about did today. I'm sitting here regretting my decision earlier this year to get out of the snake-keeping hobby and finding news homes for everything. A couple of months ago, I received some bad news.

I'd acquired a female T.e.vagrans from someone who needed more space for his boas, especially after she had a litter of 12. I got the momma and nine of the young and had them all feeding well on f/t mice - filleted pinkies for the kids! An acquaintance said he had a friend who loved garter snakes. He took all but one, which I gave to my son.

I heard that all of the snakes, including the adult female, died on him. The one I gave to my son is doing very well. Likely tripled in size. Now eating whole pinks. But I regret ever giving up the rest of them. It's something I'll never do again unless I personally know the person they are going to.

Tonight I was reminded when I saw photos of the young snakes taken back when they could easily coil up on quarter!

So, I'm going to start over.

[guidofatherof5]

I even have a hard time giving up any to people I know.
Most of that is the fear of shipping. I hate turning my snakes over to strangers.

[kibakiba]

I could never give my snakes to someone I didn't know. With the people on the forum, if for some reason I couldn't keep my snakes, I would give them to someone here that I trusted. I'd be scared of shipping, though. I've heard many a horror story of shipping. Hopefully I'll never have to give up my lovelies!

[Stefan-A]

I never did cry, just for the record.

I couldn't, even if I wanted to.

[Stefan-A]

I could never give my snakes to someone I didn't know. With the people on the forum, if for some reason I couldn't keep my snakes, I would give them to someone here that I trusted. I'd be scared of shipping, though. I've heard many a horror story of shipping. Hopefully I'll never have to give up my lovelies!

Neither could I, so I'd probably have to put them down. I can't say I know anyone within a 1500 km radius, that I'd know would be able to take care of them.

[infernalis]

Neither could I, so I'd probably have to put them down. I can't say I know anyone within a 1500 km radius, that I'd know would be able to take care of them.

That's an unimaginable situation..

[Stefan-A]

That's an unimaginable situation..

I've imagined a situation like that several times. Usually involves long term hospitalization due to illness or accident.

Then again, I don't know who'd euthanize them in such a situation, either.

[infernalis]

At least if that were to happen to me, My family would call Steve, Scott, Jeff, Don or any of the other thamnophis savvy people and arrangements would be made to move the snake collection on to others who would take care of them.

Sounds morbid, but those thoughts have crossed my mind more than once.

[Mommy2many]

I've imagined a situation like that several times. Usually involves long term hospitalization due to illness or accident.

Then again, I don't know who'd euthanize them in such a situation, either.

Stefan-

Should anything ever happen to you, please have someone conatct me and I will make sure that your snakes are taken care of properly, as you would. Shipping, etc would be taken care of. Please. I would do no less for any other forum member in such a situation.