Jeez Steve, we hit an area of commonality and I'm glad to be in the company of so many men with a passion for their children. My deepest appreciation to all of you. Both as a herpetoculturist and psychotherapist, i have very interesting conversations with my daughter both about nature and conservation as well as feelings and relationships (of course, on a level that a nine-year-old would be appropriate to engage in lol...). But when it comes to talking about not only what daddy does for a living when on a play date and amidst another parent (mental health people are like taboo rather than something more "acceptable" and measurable such as a heart surgeon), and THEN to mention that we have reptiles as pets?!?! Let's just say it's been tough since our daughter began attending a new school in 2006 without people having a "raised eyebrow" after her admissions of truth to her classmates! She explains that since we can not have a dog (co-op board won't approve...) it's the next-best thing, and the best part is that we can breed them and not have to walk them when it's cold outside. So we manage in silence, as none of our neighbors know about our collection. Co-ops can be very political as to what is accepted in it's "micro-environment" if you will. Unfortunately it is by-and-large the history of irresponsible folk that wound up in the public eye because they did something downright stupid, as well as internalized childhood experiences that derived from a relative's terrifying narrative or an unfortunate negative experience that has never been corrected. A very interesting topic -- one that could stand a bit more exploration from time to time.



Jerry Kruse



My daughter with a couple herp buds in the Pine Barrens -- Andy Marchese, Brandee, and Gerry Wronski.


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