Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was missing you folks and thought I'd make a quick post as to what's been going on. My life is taking most my time in new directions. Although not much is different with me, I am spending more and more time caring for my Mom who isn't in the best of health. Most of my snakes have been sold except for 2.2 BRB's, 2.2 PRB's, 1.2 Hog Isle's and 1.1 Corn Isle's. The list of "must have's" is currently a pair of Womas and a pair of Crawl Cays. Why the change from Rainbows to BCI still baffles me sometimes.....it's certainly not because they aren't beautiful. I will admit that BCI require less diligence in cleaning and since mine would be considered smaller the feeding is less involved and less time consuming. Today was a take your pet to work day at the clinic that still consumes most my efforts and 2 snakes accompanied me. The BRB was a big hit but I wasn't totally comfortable with him around folks with no snake experience and unrestrained small dogs and cats within a few feet. Mr. Rainbow had to be put up ( would not stay still for 2 seconds in a row) and the more docile Hog Island took center stage. It's really interesting to me how non-snake people respond. Out of 8 people, 5 touched and 3 held her. Our newest snake-phobic Veterinarian was able to touch her several times and asked dozens of questions. I was so pleased that she was able to trust me to not scare her ( and control the snake responsibly) and allow her to explore something that causes such fear in her. It's something I don't really understand....being so fond of snakes myself. Anyway, I hope all of you folks are in good physical and mental health and are looking forward to a nice season of babies!

Take care,
Linda

Hi Linda, great to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your mom. It's something most of us will have to deal with eventually but still, not something any of us look forward to. Between my wife and I we have three aging parents. All three are fine at this time but expect that to change some time in the not so distant future.

Glad to hear you still have some of your rainbows!!

Good job with the education, I see similar situations every time I do a show etc. Folks who are afraid of them and overcome that with responsible keepers/handling.

My season is ready to kick off any day - first litter was due yesterday but has not given me any signs she's ready to drop beyond being obviously gravid.

Take care and you are always welcome to drop in whenever time allows.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (05/26/2009):
36.51 BRB
29.42 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks Dave,
Congrats on your new litter.

Linda

Glad to see you here Linda. Hope all gets better with your mom. It's great that your able to take your snakes out to help educate people a little more about them. I am part of a reptile outreach program and we get a lot of the "I don't know if I should touch it, will it bite?" It's great to be able to show people who just haven't gotten the chance to get so aquainted with such an animal. Wish the best for you and your family and keep in touch here, we always love new faces to pop in : )
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Amanda Perez
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1.0 5 yo son (Rafi, too smart for his own britches)
2.2 Normal BRB (Vera,Spike,Lucy,Joey)
2.1 My Special BRB (Fiasco,Faith,Frankie)
1.0 Pearl Phase BRB (King)
1.1 Hypo BRB (Newest additions coming)

Thanks Amanda,
You are right, it was a pleasant experience to be able to do a bit of education.

Linda

Linda,
...It is good to see you posting here again. It is hard to understand how someone could become a veterinarian and still be phobic about snakes.
...It sounds like you are doing the right things in life and they are keeping you VERY busy. My dad is declining and has had hospice care for almost a year. My mother wants to keep him at home as long as possible. For several months my siblings and I were taking turns having one of us there 24/7 to help her with him. His hospice care nurses and aides have been visiting more often recently and so we are no longer needed there full time. I have still been going down to Florida to spend time with them quite a bit. My older brother and younger sister covered this last week while my younger brother and I took our wives to Glacier National Park in Montana. We had a great time and hiked over 80 miles.
Jeff

Jeff,
I should look into Hospice for my Mom. It is taxing being an only child sometimes. I'm glad to see you're still making the summer vacations a part of your life (seems like you're often away during birthing season). Trying to sway our new Vet will take diligence.

Linda