My Pets: Parrots and Snakes

[Ladyhawk]

An aside: at the other forum, I got bashed for being excited about my animals, especially my snakes.

http://www.aimoo.com/forum/postview.cfm?id=319472&CategoryID=22217&startcat=81&ThreadID=900119

I felt attacked at the very core of what was making me still interested in life. For awhile I lost interest in everything. Maybe you can help me get it back.

Here is my beautiful, thoughtful, sweet (to me) double yellowheaded Amazon, Gabby:





Here I am with him during somewhat happier times:



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My pair of Arizona Mountain Kingsnakes: Elvis and Akasha:





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My pair of Louisiana Milksnakes, Bayou and Bijou (bijou means "jewel" in Cajun):



This is Bayou.



This is Bayou again.

Now get ready for a size difference. :) Louisiana milksnakes are only five inches long when they hatch. This one is a year old and she was still tiny when I got her.



This is Bijou, my tiny Cajun jewel.

My heart is breaking because I did all the same things when introducing myself to that other forum so long ago. It seems pointless, because I'm afraid you'll all end up hating me.

[ornotna]

1. No hate here

Very cool pets.
Does Gabby get along with the snakes?

[R Hickey]

2. Those mountain snakes look a little like coral snakes...

except the stripes are out of place. My first pets were snakes, but they were just garder snakes. Now I have cats, and my old snakes would be breakfast for them.

From your website, I see that you've thunk your way out of your superstitious surroundings. I never was very religious, but had dogma shoved down my throat for many years, and it took quite a few Bertrand Russell books to de-program myself. Welcome to the DU.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. What lovely pets! I especially like the bird.

He looks like quite the personality, though I have nothing against the snakes. I posted earlier today (on Darth_Kitten's bird thread) that I have often thought I would like having a bird, but my cat has other ideas.:-)

As for the snakes, they are quite pretty. They treat exotics and reptiles at my vet's, so have seen a lot of unusual pets. Are you familiar with corn snakes? I took my grandmother to a nature center and she became so enamored with the corn snake (though it was probably because the reptile guy was so friendly to her and let her hold the snake) that I donated so she could ``adopt'' that particuliar animal. They seek sponsors for all the rescued animals and this was the one she liked best. She is listed as his ``parent!'' LOL!:D

Your pets are very special and I understand why you're proud of them. Pets are cherished on DU, dogs, cats, birds, rodents or reptiles. Don't underestimate the folks on DU! Thanks for sharing, Ladyhawk!:hug:

[Systematic Chaos]

4. Why in the WORLD would anyone hate you

for posting pictures of pets you love and care about?

There is a forum at MSN called Cat Lady's Place where everyone who has cats and loves them posts about their pets and talks about their lives, both the good stuff and the bad. They are a wonderfully supportive group. Any forum you go to where they would treat you with insensitivity just for showing off your loved ones - whether people or pets - isn't worth your time and certainly isn't worth getting into a funk over. You're in very good company here, methinks. :)

Oh, and your bird is absolutely gorgeous! Don't know much about reptiles but the snakes look adorable in their baby pictures also.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. Oooo...Double Yellow-Nape?

That is a really nice looking bird! I have a Female vos Maeri Eclectus named Miggy. She is my little love bug. Extremely affectionate to everyone, loves to meet new folks and love them.

Birds are wonderful pets!

[ikojo]

6. Although I am not overly fond of birds I think your

bird is beautiful! Wow...you can let him outside and he does not fly away! I also like the tie dye you are wearing!

I have never been around snakes..what do you feed them?


I have only a calico cat named Tie Dye..she is 13 years old.

[dofus]

7. Twice in my life I've owned

African Grey parrots. As a child, living out in the country, I used to catch garter snakes all the time, although I didn't make pets of then. Right now I have two cats, so birds and snakes wouldn't fit in to this household real well.

[Whitacre D_WI]

8. Beautiful Bird (and beautiful snakes).

I don't know much about our snakey friends, but I do know birds.

Something to remember, Ladyhawk, is that your birds choose to be with you. Amazons mate for life, and are highly selective (and quite judgmental at times!) -- In other words, I don't know you well; but your birds do, and if they love you, that tells me that you're worth it. I know that knowing this doesn't solve all the problems in the world, but it is worth remembering: you're a good person because the birdies say so!

[scarlet_owl]

9. You have the coolest pets ever!

I adore snakes. My father just got done hatching some milk snake eggs and they are adorable! I take care of 3 fox snakes, a garter snake, a rat snake, and a corn snake at the nature center, and I love them all! Your parrot is so beautiful. You go ahead and get excited about your pets. You have every reason to.

P.S. Where do you live? That is some beautiful scenery.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Hi, scarlet_owl! I had to check if you listed where you are from!

If you read my post #3, I spoke of how the reptile caretaker at the nature center I visited with my grandmother was very kind to her and let her hold the corn snake. This nature center, however, was in Asheville, N.C., so it was not you! Anyway, thanks for all you do for the animals!:hi:

[scarlet_owl]

11. Great to hear from you. And thank you for visiting

your local nature center. Our corn snake is named Floyd (she's a girl). She used to be a pet, but she was donated to us. Corn snakes are not native to Illinois, but we took her in anyway. We also have an adoption program with all of our animals. If you are ever in the Champaign/Urbana, IL area, I invite you to come visit us at the Anita Purves Nature Center. Was it your grandmother's first encounter with a snake? I just love it when I can introduce people to new experiences and help folks not be afraid of snakes.

[Capn Sunshine]

12. I dunno. DUers are more into hating W

Its a more common enemy.

I'm not about to judge you for your cool pets. Parrots are like kids; they sense your moods and stuff. Really smart birds. Does he talk?

That other site seems a trifle wack to me, Ladyhawk. Did it ever occur to you that it's thoae bozos who have the problem?

If all you're trying to do is spread some joy about your critters, by all means, download your whole album! We need all the help we can get. :)

You have a very warm smile.

[otohara]

13. Way Way Cool Pets

Does your bird speak?

[Deja Q]

14. We definitely won't hate you!

You've got an AWESOME choice of pets! Your Amazon is gorgeous and they make GREAT pets! Does Gabby talk? (I tried the link but they must've removed the page...)

The snakes are cute too! (My landlady won't allow snakes, unfortunately...) Are the Kingsnakes or Milksnakes poisonous? Those are cool pics too! (I've never seen red snakes before, and your pets are a wonderful shade of red!)

Thanks for sharing! You've got great taste when it comes to interesting pets!

[Valerie5555]

15. I prefer KITTIES and DOGS to SNAKES

but that is just me. Meow Arf

[corarose]

16. I love your bird!

He is beautiful and he looks healthy and well fed.

I am deadly afraid of snakes but they are yours and you love them. They are pretty and you love them and that's what counts.

Will your little snake get any bigger?

[Kat45]

17. I love birds!

Gabby is a beauty! How old is he? I have a pacific parrotlet, which is a 4" tall parrot. They are related to Amazons, and although they are tiny, they think they're as big as Amazons. :-) My bird is a female named Grace; she's 6 months old.

I'm not a big snake person--I'm actually fairly neutral on them--but your little guys are pretty, nice colors.

[Iris]

18. Gabby is a beautiful bird.

[amazona]

19. woo hoo -- what a beauty!!!! nice snakes too!

I'm too bashful to put up my pet pix but you did a great job. Birds know, they are social and can sense our emotions and moods, yet Amazons have enough ornery independence not to lose heart in life when we are sad or pre-occupied.

[proud patriot]

20. I grew up with a double yellowhead Amazon

his name is Chico . He's a great parrot and companion.

I like snakes , not sure I would have one for a pet myself ,
not sure how the dogs would react , probably wouldn't be
the safest place for a snake .

A friend of mine has a boa that he's owned forever "siggy"
I have fed him , which is a truly amazing experience.
also if you a backache a 3-4 boa is the best massage I
can recommend :loveya: