I came across an article that I can relate to. The guy makes a case for having a snakes as a pet. He clearly has a rich and satisfying relationship with his ball python. He even called his snake Elaine, a human name. I give my snakes names like that.
http://www.thegauntlet.ca/if-youre-looki...-a-chance/
I have deeply satisfying relationships with my snakes. I know them and they know me. Each of my snakes has a different personality, a different nature. They are each and everyone, a distinct individual with likes and dislikes. I just enjoyed reading something by a person who has the same kind of experience relating to reptiles.
I have to say that I am not a snake person, but I find them fascinating and admire those who do keep them as pets.
We should all be more open minded about animals.
I admit I am attracted to their beauty. It is more than that however. I fall in love with their characters. Earl was a love at first sight case. He was such a big gentle guy and we were close. Jake was love at first sight. I felt such a need to nurture him and he trusts me totally.
I love Jack the black corn snake. He is a character and I borrowed him from the reptile centre because I wanted him with me. As long as I keep bringing in his beautiful children no one will ask for him to come back.
They are each and everyone of them special in their own way.
I can't deny that I love their colours. Think of it as a bonus in an already special relationship.
I agree with giving snakes a chance. I have always liked them and been fascinated with them, even when I was a child. The ones I have met personally have been worth meeting!
And would you believe -I even had a big soft spot for the little Adder who bit me once. (I didn't know 'she' was there. I was moving brush wood.)
Quote:And would you believe -I even had a big soft spot for the little Adder who bit me once. (I didn't know 'she' was there. I was moving brush wood.)
I can believe it. It is hard to take a snake bite personally. Adders are poisonous aren't they. How did you manage after the bite.
I think when people meet snakes and get to know them they are pleasantly surprized. They certainly can't believe how soft they are and how pretty.
I didn't feel very well for about 3 days after the bite, had a terribly itchy swollen arm, and a temperature which kept going up and down. I was very very thirsty, and could only eat chocolate. I also had some stupendous dreams!
Otherwise I was okay.
I felt very connected to whoever bit me. It was a bit mystical. I felt that it was a young female. I also felt very sorry because I had no idea how much damage I might have done, and hoped she was okay too.
Around the time of that bite there came a huge change in my life for the better. I didn't realise it at that point, but saw it in hindsight years later.
I just looked the Adder up on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipera_berus
They are very beautiful and the bite is painful, but not fatal.
That would have been quite an experience. I can see why it would change you and why you would feel a link to her. If she was in brush like that she might have had a litter of babies with her. They give live birth.
Interesting that you could only eat chocolate. Your body might have be needing the stimulant that caffeine provides. Water makes sense. We need to keep hydrated when there is a fever. Do you remember any of the dreams? Snake venom is unusually a complex mix of chemicals. Who knows what was in it.
No wonder you feel good about snakes now. You have an odd sort of bond with a snake. She would not have been harmed by the experience and she would not have bitten if she had no reason.
The thirst was tremendous. I drank 6 litres of water in just over 2 days.
Yes I do remember two dreams.
In one of them I was with a whole line of very old people. We were all walking naked. We had to pass between two large standing stones. Going through the stones was a tight fit, like maybe being born? On the other side everyone was healed of what was wrong with them.
The other dream was an old woman with long white hair who came with sticks and logs to light a fire in my hearth for me because I was sick. She built the fire then sat with me to keep a watch on me all night.
That was interesting. Both your dreams fit your experience. You were passing through something because of the venom in your system, but you were well when it was over. In fact you said you were changed.
You needed someone to care for you, even if it was only a dream presence, you would still have felt comforted.
The thirst makes sense. The body needed to flush the chemicals out through the kidneys. Many times, enough water can dilute a toxin and give your body a chance to fight it.
You are the only person I know who has been bitten by a poisonous snake. No, wait, I do know someone else and he still really likes snakes. Being bitten does not put you off of snakes. I think it is more the fear of being bitten that makes people not like them.
No, being bitten didn't put me off snakes. In fact it made me feel even closer to them in some indescribable way. Like I had a special bond.
Not long after that I met two snakes (non-venomous) and we had a lovely day out together! I felt a very peaceful feeling with them.
Because I live in a pretty remote area, and was feeling too unwell to drive the first day, I telephoned the doctor for advice. She consulted a venomous snake specialist, then told me not many adults will die from an adder bite, unless they have a weak heart. And if I had survived the first 24 hours it was all downhill from there. (The 1st 24 hours was when the dreams came.)
I had no idea if I had a weak heart or not, so trusted to water and chocolate!