RAD House
12-04-16, 03:11 PM
Recent events made me think it would be interesting to start a thread of "problem" you encountered after entering the reptile hobby that no amount of research could have warned you about. First for me, as I assume is true for many, is the seemingly unending need for more. Along with this is the countless wasted hours researching and drooling over new animals. Next for me is the need to upgrade their enclosures and equipment, even though their current homes are more than sufficient.
This week I experienced a uncharted side effect of this "hobby", it is seems to more like an addiction than anything. We will start this story way back when me and my now wife moved in together years ago. She is a cat person and at that time had a cat. I had a dog whom is and was a mortal enemy to this said cat. We had the chance to give the cat to her parents and due to the impending battle and my slight cat allergies we decided it was for the better. Also I knew she would be able to visit with the cat every time we visited.
Fast forward many years and later when I got involved with keeping snakes. She was a little hesitant with the first two, but really ended up enjoying having them. Several times I have told her this was the last one, which we all know was a ridiculous statement. With each new purchase I have waited for her to take a stand with the expected demands, but she has handled each without even showing a little bit of annoyance. I very much appreciate her support in something I truly enjoy.
We recently took a trip back to her parents and she was able to spend some time with her "kittie" who is now quite a fat cat. Her parents are taking steps to fix this issue. The visit sessions, that I thought would be good for my session, have done the opposite and made me feel a bit guilty my wife can not have something she so clearly enjoys. This could be easily be explained away as being responsible as we do have two dogs. But wait a second, she has let me take up a good portion of our house and time with my snake stuff.
Her birthday is coming very soon. I was struggling to figure out a gift, and had all but given up hope that I would have to spend a night at a musical. Blah! One night sitting around I saw that an acquaintance had some sphinx kittens, and joked that they are probably hypoallergenic. She lit up and immediately starting researching hypoallergenic cat breeds. Crap, what did I just do. I started to think of any excuse I could to go back to place where we were cat less. Looking I noticed that most hypoallergenic cat breeds are expensive, but immediately realized I didn't even want to think how much I have spent on my snakes. I thought about the dogs, but they are very good with small animals. As I stated before I was in no position to take the space or adult card.
Well now I am a non cat person with a little kitten. After some research we decided Shynxs were not for us. Looking for breeders online we found a beautiful little bangle kitten. They are a pretty interesting breed for several reasons and she let me name her Freyja, so I am not entirely bummed if not a little excited. I sure won't let her know this, as now I covered for a birthday and a Christmas present.
This week I experienced a uncharted side effect of this "hobby", it is seems to more like an addiction than anything. We will start this story way back when me and my now wife moved in together years ago. She is a cat person and at that time had a cat. I had a dog whom is and was a mortal enemy to this said cat. We had the chance to give the cat to her parents and due to the impending battle and my slight cat allergies we decided it was for the better. Also I knew she would be able to visit with the cat every time we visited.
Fast forward many years and later when I got involved with keeping snakes. She was a little hesitant with the first two, but really ended up enjoying having them. Several times I have told her this was the last one, which we all know was a ridiculous statement. With each new purchase I have waited for her to take a stand with the expected demands, but she has handled each without even showing a little bit of annoyance. I very much appreciate her support in something I truly enjoy.
We recently took a trip back to her parents and she was able to spend some time with her "kittie" who is now quite a fat cat. Her parents are taking steps to fix this issue. The visit sessions, that I thought would be good for my session, have done the opposite and made me feel a bit guilty my wife can not have something she so clearly enjoys. This could be easily be explained away as being responsible as we do have two dogs. But wait a second, she has let me take up a good portion of our house and time with my snake stuff.
Her birthday is coming very soon. I was struggling to figure out a gift, and had all but given up hope that I would have to spend a night at a musical. Blah! One night sitting around I saw that an acquaintance had some sphinx kittens, and joked that they are probably hypoallergenic. She lit up and immediately starting researching hypoallergenic cat breeds. Crap, what did I just do. I started to think of any excuse I could to go back to place where we were cat less. Looking I noticed that most hypoallergenic cat breeds are expensive, but immediately realized I didn't even want to think how much I have spent on my snakes. I thought about the dogs, but they are very good with small animals. As I stated before I was in no position to take the space or adult card.
Well now I am a non cat person with a little kitten. After some research we decided Shynxs were not for us. Looking for breeders online we found a beautiful little bangle kitten. They are a pretty interesting breed for several reasons and she let me name her Freyja, so I am not entirely bummed if not a little excited. I sure won't let her know this, as now I covered for a birthday and a Christmas present.