safety - taking BP for a day out

Wrath · 04-17-03, 03:36 PM

I'm taking my BP to the blessing of the animals this weekend. I have never taken her anywhere but the vet's. The event is in the afternoon, and it's supposed to be a fairly sunny day. Are there any precaucions that I should take?

I'm going to take her in her tupperware, but I just don't know if there is anything else that I should do/take/worry about.

If anyone has any advice/precaucions to offer, that'd be great. Thanks!

ballpython5000 · 04-17-03, 04:21 PM

what is that? like some church relious event for you animals to be blessed or something???

ReptiZone · 04-17-03, 04:29 PM

Just treat it like it is a trip to the vet make shour no one hase a rodent close buy to be blest.heheh bring some botels of hot water to Put in it's travaling case make shour the priest or paster knows what he is blesing make shour the ppl around you dont make a scene like you are blessing satan or somthing like that and be prepared to be asked to leave at any time cause if one person has a fear of snakes and you stick around that is a recipie for by-law and restrictons any way have fun and I hope every thing gose well and congrats.

ballpython5000 · 04-17-03, 04:30 PM

let me get this straight.....people have snakes blessed? sounds cool i guess, my grandma is really religous but she hates snakes. so i bet she would love mine if i told her it was blessed. lol, just a thought.

Wrath · 04-17-03, 06:37 PM

Blessing of the Animals is a custom in remembrance of St Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. It's kinda fun, you walk by and a priest sprinkles water on the passing procession of people and their pets.

People usually bring all kinds of animals. The normal type pets, ducks, birds, I think there's this couple who brings their llama's (or used to I haven't been in a while). I've seen huge tortoises there, and all kinds of stuff. My sister is the queen of Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles this year, and she's going to be involved in the event, and I figured I'd join in. I wouldn’t be surprised if I see any other snakes there. Probably someone with a big showy albino or something, I dunno. I just want to make sure that my bp's health isnt endangered.

mykee · 04-17-03, 07:41 PM

You can't bless the demons incarnate!! Snakes are the devils tools! haha!

Jeff_Favelle · 04-18-03, 12:29 AM

Weird that the very people who claim to love animals feel the need to cart them around and subject them to stuff that they clearly don't enjoy or want.

But such is life.

marylyn101 · 04-18-03, 12:33 AM

what a horrible idea. you cause unnessiary stress to the animals. how is that celebrating them.

BurmBaroness · 04-18-03, 10:15 AM

I don't think it's anything to be concerned about Wrath. I have some snakes who like to be left alone, and then I have some that seem to like being out and about. Even if they don't "LIKE" it, they do not appear any more stressed than when I have them out at home. I think it's a beautiful thought, and if you want to take part in this ceremony, please, go and enjoy. I olny wish I could go as well. Marylyn, not all animals are as easily stressed as others. It's not a horrible idea at all. And Jeff, no it's not "weird", How do you know the animal doesn't enjoy fresh air and sunshine? While mine may not be able to tell me they enjoy it, they certainly seem to enjoy being outside. So Wrath, go, enjoy, and I hope your BP gets a basketful of blessings!

Pixie · 04-18-03, 11:04 AM

I agree with BurmBaroness, it's not absolutely a stressful and hideous idea for all snakes. Yes, some or most wouldn't like being exposed to so many people but there are some snakes that if the owner is careful in how things are done seem to enjoy an outing.

Both my BP's really seem to enjoy going outside for some fresh air when it's warm enough, they are as mellow as when I handle them at home sometimes even more so! They seem to enjoy exploring new grounds and the outdoors. I can't see how an occasional outing can be harmful to a well adjusted snake.

I only do this with my snakes when they seem receptive to it. I only handle them when they come out of their hides on their own and if they seem in a good mood. If not I just leave them be. Most I have to fight to get back into their cages, they don't want to go back!

In a situation where there will be lots of people, I would be especally careful of how close people would get to me. I'm certainly not shy to tell someone to not get too close or act stupid around my snake to freak it out. I also only let very few people touch or handle my snake, I don't like the idea of strangers touching my snake and freaking it out that way either. But I will usually let one or two people that seem alright do so for a couple of minutes. People are very respectful of what I say in my personal experience, if I tell them not to move around too much around the snake with hand gestures, etc. It's amazing to see how well people listen!!! 2 minutes later they're warning everyone else not to do that! lol

Anyways, if your snake seems in a good mood to be handled that day and doesn't seem stressed out I say go ahead and bring him out with you. Try and make it relatively short of an outing and bring along a tote that you can put it back in to relax and hide away if he starts looking uncomfortable also a dish of water that you can offer during the time that you're out. That's what I do anyways. I don't do many public outings if not any these days, I prefer bringing my snakes to my parents house to romp in their yard but if there was some activities just for animals I might consider going.

Have fun

Pixie

snakemann87 · 04-18-03, 11:13 AM

when i take my snakes to the vets i use a pillow case, i heard this is alot less stressful than a container or such. Would any of you back this up or no?

Pixie · 04-18-03, 11:31 AM

I use a combo of both and it depends on what I'll be doing and how long I'll be gone for.

A pillow case is perfect for traveling where the snake won't be moved much aside during transport and for examination. But when I go to my parent's for the day, I bring a tote and pillowcase. I use the pillowcase for the travelling and put inside the tote. When I'm at my folks after my snake has had enough fresh air, I put the snake in the tote with a water dish and then cover it with the pillow case so it doesn't get stressed. That way he can move and drink if he wants and not be too restrained for long.

Pixie

Jeff_Favelle · 04-18-03, 11:41 AM

Just curious as to what clues you guys get when you think a snake is enjoying something?

Do they smile for you?

Pixie · 04-18-03, 11:45 AM

No they don't smile for me.

I look at how stressed they seem to be. My snakes are tense, jumpy and other things of the like when stressed, often going into a defensive posture.

I "say" that my snakes aren't stressed when they are active and seemingly curious. Seeking to look out the new things around them, smelling the air, etc.

That's how I define when my snake seems happy or pissed. So no I don't hear my snake tell me: "this is so cool mom, thank for taking me out!" or "mom! I don't want to go out!" but I think that from how I "read" my snakes that I am picking up fairly good on their "mood".

Pixie

Jeff_Favelle · 04-18-03, 12:09 PM

So you're saying that, by default, if a snake is not stressed, its automatically happy with the status quo?

Very interesting observation and not one that I share in the least. But to each his/her own.

Great discussion.

P.S. Snakes don't have moods or emotions. Human qualities and one of many put on reptiles for reasons unknown to me. You'd probably be surprised at what a snake is built to do in a normal day and what, if given the choice, a snake (particularily a BP) would choose to do.