Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Only two or three of you know, but a year or so ago I had a major meltdown/nervous breakdown. I wont go into details but I had to take a Disability leave and had to get rid of all but 7 snakes (forced to by my spouse). My spouse blamed the snakes for a significant role in the breakdown. My 7 were relegated to a closet. Over a few months I managed to add another 9. Because of space limits (did I say my wife is not too keen on my Hobby???) I was "given" a closet (literally!!!). Well, here I am a year later, 60 lbs lighter (still dropping), blood sugar and blood pressure about normal, and comparatively stress free!!!! The Good News??? On June 1 I will have responsibility for two Churches. What does this have to do with Kings??? 11 of my snakes are Kings. My Doctors attribute much of my rapid/strong recovery to my keeping Snakes!!!! We rarely think about the value of our hobby for stress relief, but my Counselor is convinced also that the presence of the critters and the benefits of being able to focus on them relieved detrimental stress. So Here is another benefit of Herp keeping!!!

No doubt Pat, and congratulations on all aspects! I know my animals are definately stress relief! I was using my guitar for stress relief, but then I felt pressure to keep learning new songs and was being asked to join in on projects, and that became stressfull, lol! So these days I play guitar on the tiolet, and use my beautiful snakes as stress relief, ha ha. Good news indeed Pat!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

Great News Pat! Glad to hear it. I wish you the best. I absolutely believe that the snakes can be a good relaxing hobby.
Life can get tough and it's nice to find a refuge just goofing off enjoying your animals. Good for you!

You got to take care of yourself so you can take care of those people! >

I remember one day coming back from A.B. and we had been snake hunting. Well what I remember was, I sat there and explained that to you. Snakes are what keeps us sane and free from real world stresses and dangers. I clearly remember asking you, Pat, do you get it. I asked that over and over.

Wait, it was coming back from snake hunting, but I think you were sleeping when I gave you that talk. Oh well, I should have woke you up.

Pat I wish you well and hope you get to where you want to be. But don't ever lose what heals you.

As already mentioned, you must help yourself to help others. Your an amazing person to even attempt to help people like you do. Hmmm I already knew you were an amazing person.

I do really well with animals, but people, hmmmmmmmmm they are a tad complicated and they as a group, drive me nuts. But you already knew that. Thanks for being my friend. Frank Retes

p.s. I was thinking, to have a mental breakdown, you must be mentally stable. Hmmmmmmmm I have no need to worry about that, huh?

Actually Frank, I remember what you said quite clearly. In fact that's why I started keeping Herps again after the first couple years in the Church!!!! Before I married Evelyn in Seminary (1984) I never thought Reptiles would be a problem!!!! Boy was I wrong. And when I started into the meltdown she told me the snakes had to go!!!! We finally compromised with me trading off all but a pair of MBK's for two pairs of Abbott Okeetee's and a pair of FL Kings. My brother gave me 3.3 CA Kings and I snuck in a pair of White-sided Blk. Rats and a Female Amel. CA King.. I figured adding #'s in the closet would be no big deal!!! Wrong!!! I've always operated on the assumption that forgiveness is easier to get than permission!!! Not with her!!! She has never bought the notion that the snakes can releave stress. Thank goodness for the Counselor and the Shrink!!!! But the Pits had to go. Like I said below, after I get moved there will be Pits again!!!

Pat G-C

Pat G-C

I had a wife once that regulated my snakes to a closet.

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www.Bluerosy.com

Mine lets me have a room she's nice.
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.
1.3 African House Snakes
3.2 reticulated pythons
1 corn snake
4.3 Florida Kings
2 speckled kings
1.2 ball pythons
1 Argentine boa
1 Texas Rat Snake
1 checkered garter snake

That IS good news Pat......
Enjoying and learning is stress relief for me.......
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

I am glad you are recovering your mental health. Having this reptile hobby does relieve stress. Focusing on all the little details of the husbandry moves one's thought process away from the chronic grinding anxiety into calmer space. My significant other is not into snakes per se, but does support my interest in a cheerful if not slightly perplexed way. He would never think of forbidding me having snakes or force me to get rid of them. Have you gotten rid of your wife yet? She sounds toxic.
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

Exactly! Great post Pat, and I am so happy to hear that you are doing much better!

The Lord is gracious and shows His creative power and work within the animals we keep. They can be such a stress reliever at times, I can attest to this.

Very cool to hear Pat!!
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Genesis 1:1

Had one in 08 myself...week in the local mental health facility...no shoelaces...no sharp utensils...no pencils or pens...no fun...

thankfully my wife knew NOT to blame the critters!

Glad you're back among the living. That stuff is no fun.
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.
1.3 African House Snakes
3.2 reticulated pythons
1 corn snake
4.3 Florida Kings
2 speckled kings
1.2 ball pythons
1 Argentine boa
1 Texas Rat Snake
1 checkered garter snake

Hey Y'all!!!!!

Thanks for all the encouragement!!!!! And I'll continue to keep critters and I'll keep what I want to keep!!!!

Pat G-C

Good for you.

I feel the same way - the snakes really make me calm. Unfortunately all of those "people" people around me who would rather interact with people all the time and not stare at snakes will never understand, lol.
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Mark