Snakes ARE affectionate

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I wonder how you would manage if you were tied down (legs and arms fully bound) and had to swallow an entire squirrel, bones, fur and all. Do you think you could make it in less than 30 minutes (serious thinking time included, trying to figure out where to start from without choking to death)? Oh, and let's add to the challenge a little. Whoever tied you down thinks you're an idiot and didn't bother to serve you a dead squirrel. This one is very lively and truly overexcited, so you'll have to knock it out first. Are your complex emotions going to come to the rescue? Or perhaps you can't have them, since you can't efficiently handle a simple task, such as eating?

This thread took a turn to "light hearted" banter.

Then you come along and type this. Each of your subsequent posts since the first is becoming more judgemental and assuming. People who have a different point of view from you have tried to give factual evidence and for the most part have been open minded. You have not been these things even though you say you are.

Since this was one of your first posts here to make this thread I still believe you're here to get a rise out of the forum. Especially considering you don't post in other threads. Trust in me,above everyone, that I know when I see someone trying to get a rise out of a forum.

You're on thin ice.

[sophiedufort]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

This thread took a turn to "light hearted" banter.

Then you come along and type this. Each of your subsequent posts since the first is becoming more judgemental and assuming. People who have a different point of view from you have tried to give factual evidence and for the most part have been open minded. You have not been these things even though you say you are.

Since this was one of your first posts here to make this thread I still believe you're here to get a rise out of the forum. Especially considering you don't post in other threads. Trust in me,above everyone, that I know when I see someone trying to get a rise out of a forum.

You're on thin ice.

Look, Aaron, ban me from the forum if you want to. I am not trying to get any rise, I simply addressed an issue that is dear to me. If you read back, you will see that I commented, selectively, on very few replies, instead of fueling things up as you claim. I just hate it when people speak lowly of snakes, and of any pets for that matter. What they say seems to reflect how they treat their pet.

I understand that you are the moderator, but it seems that you believe you're God or something, and that you can put people in their place as a result. If you have this forum for the sake of showing off your muscles, go ahead and hush me, since you have the power. As far as I am concerned, I am confident that I behaved in a civilized manner, while doing nothing more than maintaining my opinion and expressing my disappointment at some very harsh and unfair views. If this does not match your expectations, go ahead, ban me, I will not regret it, since it would be a waste of my time to continue in the circumstances.

On another note, I cannot see why my failure to post in other threads would make you suspicious. I will post in other threads if, and when, I become interested in other topics. For your reference, this is my second thread, not my first and only.

[eminart]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I just hate it when people speak lowly of snakes, and of any pets for that matter. What they say seems to reflect how they treat their pet.

This is the issue I have with you.

I think it shows more respect for the animal to understand its true nature and love it for what it is. I don't believe having human traits is what makes an animal worthy of my love or admiration.

I can keep a pet, try to understand its behaviors and the evolution that has produced those behaviors and really enjoy that. Human traits are great... for humans. The differences are what makes nature fascinating to me.

So, to me, your stand seems, for lack of a better term, bigoted. Everything must be like you to be loved.

[sophiedufort]

Originally Posted by eminart

This is the issue I have with you.

I think it shows more respect for the animal to understand its true nature and love it for what it is. I don't believe having human traits is what makes an animal worthy of my love or admiration.

I can keep a pet, try to understand its behaviors and the evolution that has produced those behaviors and really enjoy that. Human traits are great... for humans. The differences are what makes nature fascinating to me.

So, to me, your stand seems, for lack of a better term, bigoted. Everything must be like you to be loved.

I am at a loss as to why you would think that, and why you misconstrue my comments. I kept saying, all along, that although I think that snakes have feelings and emotions, these are very primitive and in no way comparable to ours. I love my pets for what they are, flaws and shortcomings included. All my comments in this thread emphasized this point.

If I ever reply to someone's comment, it is to show my distress about the fact that some people use disparaging words when it comes to their pets. One of them said, for instance, I quote: "These idiots can't handle efficintly simple tasks like eating". I just cannot comprehend how someone who loves their pets would say something like that. There is a difference when someone says "I agree that my pets are not very smart". It is still loving and it is perfectly acceptable. But when one refers to his pets as 'these idiots', it shows that person's true colors, as much as it raises a warning flag about the way he treats his pets.

I don't consider myself a pet owner. I am a pet parent. I couldn't say anything that is even remotely negative about my pets, let alone make nasty comments.

[eminart]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I am at a loss as to why you would think that,

Because you've stated two or three times that those of us that don't believe that snakes love "think lowly" of them.

[sophiedufort]

Originally Posted by eminart

Because you've stated two or three times that those of us that don't believe that snakes love "think lowly" of them.

Here is what I said, word by word: "I just hate it when people speak lowly of snakes, and of any pets for that matter." I never made this comment in reference to people who don't believe that snakes love. My comment is strictly about people who use disparaging comments when referring to their snake pets, or their pets in general. Example in my previous post ("these idiots"). I am sorry that you misunderstood my statement.

[jjhill001]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

Here is what I said, word by word: "I just hate it when people speak lowly of snakes, and of any pets for that matter." I never made this comment in reference to people who don't believe that snakes love. My comment is strictly about people who use disparaging comments when referring to their snake pets, or their pets in general. Example in my previous post ("these idiots"). I am sorry that you misunderstood my statement.

This isn't Tumbler and snakes don't have ears and can't get offended. Who cares if someone disparages them. We all obviously like reptiles and snakes otherwise we'd be on snake murdering forums (probably a thing).

The better debate is, do we think that snakes can be disparaged? If so do they care?

[eminart]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

Here is what I said, word by word: "I just hate it when people speak lowly of snakes, and of any pets for that matter." I never made this comment in reference to people who don't believe that snakes love. My comment is strictly about people who use disparaging comments when referring to their snake pets, or their pets in general. Example in my previous post ("these idiots"). I am sorry that you misunderstood my statement.

The following was posted by you long before the one guy called his snake stupid, or anyone said anything disparaging, other than saying snakes don't love.

Hey, guys, are you actually snake owners, or did you join this forum just for fun? You are acting as if snakes are worthless, brainless, heartless pets.

But I do FEEL their love, and that says it all. In return, I treat them with the utmost care and affection and I make sure that they can feel it too. That's what makes a snake-human relationship worthwhile.

I just wonder how some people speak of these animals, with such detachment and (almost) disdain.

So, I'm not buying your revisionist history of the attitude you've had toward those of us who don't believe snakes love.

I don't know how old you are, or how much science you know. I'm sure you're a nice person, and I do believe you have the animals' best interests at heart. I just think you're misguided in what those interests actually are. I believe you are thinking VERY much from a human perspective, which is the worst way to understand an animal. Our human brains are quite unique in nature. I suggest you read the book, "Last Ape Standing" by Chip Walter. Sure, some of the more social animals exhibit behaviors that we might call "love" and certainly "affection", but even they aren't THINKING the same way we are, usually. But, to try to apply these types of emotions to a reptile that is not social, often eats its young, doesn't hunt together, doesn't benefit from tight-knit communities, doesn't have much of a brain, and would eat you if you were small enough, is an astronomical stretch of reality.

[SSSSnakes]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I don't consider myself a pet owner. I am a pet parent.

Pets are pets, not people. No one has ever given birth to a snake, liz., dog or cat. Parents have human children and own pets. Lets keep it real.

[Nuxodom]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

This thread took a turn to "light hearted" banter.

Then you come along and type this. Each of your subsequent posts since the first is becoming more judgemental and assuming. People who have a different point of view from you have tried to give factual evidence and for the most part have been open minded. You have not been these things even though you say you are.

Since this was one of your first posts here to make this thread I still believe you're here to get a rise out of the forum. Especially considering you don't post in other threads. Trust in me,above everyone, that I know when I see someone trying to get a rise out of a forum.

You're on thin ice.

I don't see anything wrong with her voicing her opinion...it doesn't seem bothersome at all. Also, I haven't seen any "factual evidence" at all to debunk her view - she is passionate about what she thinks, yes...but, just here to get a "rise"? I don't think so.

[lady_bug87]

Originally Posted by Nuxodom

I don't see anything wrong with her voicing her opinion...it doesn't seem bothersome at all. Also, I haven't seen any "factual evidence" at all to debunk her view - she is passionate about what she thinks, yes...but, just here to get a "rise"? I don't think so.

In the lifespan of forums this argument comes up a lot with one side thinking they can feel and one side thinking that the other side is wrong.

The topic itself is not problematic. Baiting the forum with outlandish scenarios is. It doesn't prove any point except to irritate people.

this isn't a scientific discussion when she's talking about binding people up and feeding them woodland creatures.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Nuxodom

I don't see anything wrong with her voicing her opinion...it doesn't seem bothersome at all. Also, I haven't seen any "factual evidence" at all to debunk her view - she is passionate about what she thinks, yes...but, just here to get a "rise"? I don't think so.

The other half of Sophie? You've only posted here yourself.

I've been around a long time.

I have no problem with people voicing their opinion. However, I don't appreciate when they talk down about others opinion in the same breathe asking those who differ to be open to theirs.

[Nuxodom]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

The other half of Sophie? You've only posted here yourself.

I've been around a long time.

I have no problem with people voicing their opinion. However, I don't appreciate when they talk down about others opinion in the same breathe asking those who differ to be open to theirs.

Other half? I wish! Did you see her picture?

I've been a lurker here for a long time, never posted.