I used to be afraid of snakes, terrified in fact. Then I started working in a pet store that had many of them. I learned how to take care of them, I started reading and suddenly I found myself unafraid of them. I can't pinpoint when exactly I stopped being afraid of them, but I can tell you, I never noticed the fear disappearing just the amazement at how it felt to care for such a beautiful creature. The first one I cared for was a 8 foot redtail, he was so fat and sweet, but he was also cantankerous when he was shedding. I learned not only how to care for them, but also how to respect them. Now I try to educate my family about it and have happened to save quite a few of them from the sharp edges of a garden hoe in my hick like family. Now when they see one, they call me and ask what it might be, in that time, the poor animal has escaped and disappeared lol. It is a step in the right direction.

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