Snake

Q: How do you know when you're truly tired of sorting 15 year old files?
A: When typing up meeting minutes seems like a reasonable alternative.

As you've probably gathered from previous posts, I am the owner of a 9 year old Black Mexican King snake, named Cleo. She's moved from Edmonton to Waterloo to Toronto and back to Edmonton with me. She's been living with my parents since Stuart and I moved to Calgary, because rental units rarely allow pets, especially "exotic" ones. The new landlord has no problem with pets, including snakes, which was briefly a source of excitement and plan making.

However, Stuart and I have been talking. Unless we really do win a lottery, the odds are good that we will be renting property for a fair while to come. And to be honest, most of those are not going to allow pets. So, do I keep her now, just to have to sell her in 1, 2, 3 years? Or have to send her back to my parents? And it's not just her, there are expenses involved.

She really needs a new tank, and short of a miracle, I don't think I can really outfit her for less than about $300. (My father's plans aside - neither he nor Stuart's dad are carpenters of a quality I'd trust to contain Cleo. King snakes have a solid reputation as escape artists extraordinaire. Plus, to be honest, my Dad's carpentry products are completely lacking in anything remotely resembling grace, aesthetics or good looks. I haven't seen enough of Clarence's projects to have a fair opinion there.)

So, all in all, it seems time to bite the bullet and find her a loving home. I'm going to put ads in the free listings (Kijiji, Craig's List) but if you know anyone interested in a quiet, good-natured snake with tank (good for short term) and fittings for a reasonable price, send 'em my way.