When an invert pet dies.........

Phil Hall

Arachnosquire
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I've been in the hobby on and off for a long time , probably 20 years + .
Firstly just Lizards , the odd snake and a scraggy old Red knee back in the 80's. One thing I have never got over is when one of my 'pets' kick the bucket.
Usually my family or friends show a little concern , but when it involves an invert, they are usually amazed that I seem saddened. I guess I am perceived as a fairly regular geezer , I used to box, teach some kickboxing, shaved head and the odd tattoo, like a few pints, a bit of football . Not really coming across as a 'New man ' - whatever that description actually means...
Yesterday I learnt that my female Centralis mantis had died , some weeks earlier, during the process of laying an ooth. I had reared her from another ooth last year. I guess her time had come. I actually gave her away about 6 weeks ago with a mature male to someone who bought a collection of inverts from me. I suppose I was hoping she could mate and perhaps reproduce before dying. The mating happened and I was happy that the new owner was successful in doing what I couldn't achieve. The death part was no-ones fault, she had laid 3 infertile ooths previously and it is a lottery as to how many more they can lay.
Anyway when I learnt of her demise I was saddened. I told my wife and kids - big mistake - :wall:
They seemed uninterested and even amused that I was upset about this.
I'm not angry with them, but moreso with myself. Ok I didn't shed any tears but I was not a happy chap for a few hours.
I dread to think what my work colleagues or pub buddies would make of this 'weakness' . {D
Have any of you had similar experieces ?
I dread to think how I will feel when my hopefully long living female T's shift their mortal coil.......:eek:


Cheers



Phil
 

problemchildx

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Sorry to hear about your loss Phil, and also about your family not caring. When my versicolor sling died, I felt kind of sad about it for at least a few days. Not crying or anything like you mentioned but those random times I would have a memory of holding it and then thinking, "I miss that invertebrate".

Life goes on though.

PS: Is an ooth a baby mantis? :?
 

Phil Hall

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Thanks mate ! Yes life goes on , an ooth is the egg produced by mantids.
I suppose it is hard for those not interested in T's or other inverts to give a damn , but in future I won't bother them with any information I thought might be of use to them.

Cheers


Phil
 

Truff135

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You gotta remember that there are very few of us (in proportion to the rest of the world) that find creepy-crawly things cute. I, for one, would be devastated if my little Navi (g.aureostriata) were to die. I cried for like two days when my rat died a couple months back. Most people think that "pets" can only refer to a cat or dog or bird. So when people like us that have a deep attachment to our pets, no matter what species/genus etc, have a pet pass away, it really bothers us. But to the other 80% of people out there, it's just one less pest in their mind. I mean, most people wouldn't think twice to squish a spider. I, on the other hand, try to save them whenever I see them. Yes, even at work, and they all thought I was a nutcase. Anyhow, I wouldn't be ashamed at all of being upset about the loss of a pet. A pet is a pet no matter how "cute" or "cuddly" it is. My condolences to you, friend.
~Alexis :)
 

The_Thunderer

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Sep 16, 2007
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I'm with ya there... My wife wouldn't/doesn't share my feelings for the pets that I have. I know that they're not "inverts" but...

A few months ago, a HORRIBLE accident occurred that killed about 12 of my snakes. We used to live in a different house, here on the "campus" where we live. At that house, I had 12 gorgeous snakes... all of them growing, thriving and looking great! After we moved, I was given permission to keep them there at the house because we were moving to a smaller apartment. This was great because I would have my own "snake room" where my wife wouldn't have to go.

Well, here in the suburbia of Phoenix, it gets over 100 degrees in summer and, after checking in on them and feeding/watering/maintaining them one Sunday afternoon, I guess the A/C shorted out. When I checked on them on that following Tuesday (they eat once a week), they were all gone. I guess the saddest thing about the whole mess was the fact that I knew they died horribly. The ONLY survivors were a local caught California King and a lavender corn that had somehow escaped which I found 3 months later in my brother's dorm (he lived down the hall from my old house). Needless to say, I was devastated. I loved them all, but when I had to dispose of the body of my 5.5' Taiwan beauty snake, I really lost it.

My wife and kids gave me my space, but I did hear my son say, "they were JUST snakes". I didn't respond because he didn't understand... but I hope to teach him someday. Begrudgingly, my wife let me get 4 snakes, but it was - again - begrudgingly. They're NOT in that old house, but right here where I can ALWAYS see them and make sure they're okay.

Sooo, getting attached to these "pets"... I completely understand and sympathize.

Fred
 
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Phil Hall

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So sorry to hear that Fred , my condolences. I hope to teach my 9 year old son the ways of the reptile/invert but I think the DS lite/PSP/Wii will prevail unfortunately.The 16 year old son and my wife are past help.......:confused:
 

PhormictopusMan

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Phil, I can definately sympathize. When my wife and I got married and moved to a new place I had things disorganized for awhile. My walk-in closet/spider-room was now just a tiny closet that had lots of clutter. One of our five cats climbed up on the spider table (she was only curious) and knocked over an enclosure which fell face down. When I saw it, I had thought that it was one of my vacant enclosures and did not think much about it. When I was finaly organized and doing an inventory I realized that it was in fact my GBB enclosure. I turned it back over and she was dead, I am assuming from suffocation. I felt so horrible about it. The enclosure is till in the garage--I don't even want to look at it (she is still inside). I only just recently acquired another GBB and this was after two and a half years.

Sorry for your loss.

--Chris
 

omni

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I would be just as upset a snake or T's dying as I would a cat or dog. They live as long or longer than many mammals and other pets. Just because they are small, they still have the spark of life that all living things have. They don't have a 'mind' but I do feel they have individual personalities. I'm not so sad tho when a rodent or fish goes(but still feel for them). After a couple years with any pet it becomes part of your life. You care and worry about them, and they are totally dependant on you for their existence. I don't think any herp or invert is just a "disposable pet".
 

Truff135

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Yeah my rat dying totally broke me up. She was almost 4 years old so she lived a long, happy life, but regardless I still couldn't help feeling that I should have done something more. It was so heartbreaking because I actually watched her for about an hour as she passed away. I just felt like if I didn't watch though, she'd feel like I had abandoned her. It was soooo horrible. My first rat had gotten a mammary tumor but otherwise was healthy. Sadly though, it got to the point where she couldn't walk anymore so I had to put her down. That was such a tough decision to make, I just couldn't afford the $300 to have the tumor removed. I've cried when I've lost fish. I'm just a weeping fool. Take care all!
 

IdahoBiteyThing

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I'll admit it

Me too! I'm so bad I still miss my palm tree that someone stole off my patio. I had it for 24 years. And I even tell my roaches, "thanks roach" before they provide crunchy goodness for a hungry t. I however felt no remorse for killing the wasp that stung me the other day. hmmm
 

Truff135

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Well I'll probably get yelled at for saying this, but...I like just about every creature except for certain insects. I don't like the things that have more than 8 legs (millipedes, centipedes, etc), or anything that crunches like a beetle. They just kinda gross me out for some reason. I'm bad, I know :(
LOL I guess everyone has a certain thing they don't like probably.
 

Travis K

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sadness

I hear you!

I have a very large Female B. Smithi, and when her day comes i will be truely sad about it.:(
 

Brian S

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Well I'll probably get yelled at for saying this, but...I like just about every creature except for certain insects. I don't like the things that have more than 8 legs (millipedes, centipedes, etc), or anything that crunches like a beetle. They just kinda gross me out for some reason. I'm bad, I know :(
LOL I guess everyone has a certain thing they don't like probably.
Do you like ticks? If so, get a hold of me next Summer. I can help you out LOLOL:D
 

Truff135

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*Screams like little girl* um...that would be a polite "heck no!" :eek:
LOL but it's the thought that counts, right?
 

Brian S

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*Screams like little girl* um...that would be a polite "heck no!" :eek:
LOL but it's the thought that counts, right?
But of course! And I was thinking of you. If Ohio doesnt have enuff ticks I could send a quart jar of our good ole strong Missouri ticks your way. Not even a nuclear war can kill them off{D
 

Truff135

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But of course! And I was thinking of you. If Ohio doesnt have enuff ticks I could send a quart jar of our good ole strong Missouri ticks your way. Not even a nuclear war can kill them off{D
Jar of Ticks, I'd like you to meet the Scioto River! {D
 

Corranthe

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I can imagine how you feel. All of my Ts are slings or juvies and doing well. But I know how sad I will be someday. And it is hard for me not to get mad at my roommate when she rolls here eyes and looks at me with disdain if I talk about them. The other day I was worried about one of my little avics that hadn’t eaten in two weeks and my roommate saw the concerned look at my face and asked me what was wrong. She practically chastised me when I told her I was concerned about my T not eating. She seems to think it’s funny to make comments about smacking them with newspapers or flushing them down toilets. She would never actually do this, but for me it feels just as bad as if she was talking about kicking a puppy.
 

Brian S

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Jar of Ticks, I'd like you to meet the Scioto River! {D
:eek:
Thats no way to treat your new "babies":embarrassed:

You're supposed to turn loose one pint jar in the house and the rest in your yard or a neighbor's yard (preferably one you dont like) LMAO:D
 
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