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' .
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.......
Cheers
Phil
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' .
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.......
Cheers
Phil