Heavy Petting

Well how the devil are you?

Yesterday I was walking through the local shopping mall when I saw a sight that intrigued me. No, it was not a fight, nor was it a naked wench but it was an animal charity with all sorts of pets. They were simultaneously raising money and education people about the needs of various pets as well promoting rehoming pets rather than buying them from shops etc.

I gladly stuck some money in their collection and took home some leaflets to read about rehoming pets. They also had a big push on these dogs as ideal family pooches, seeing as they are a breed that are sadly overlooked here. More importantly for me though, there was a big old display of exotic pets. This dovetails nicely with my post from the other day.

I got to hold a HUGE Reticulated Python but there’s no way I would have one of those, their normal tank would be way too big for my place. I got to hold a tarantula but again, I cant see me having one of those. Not because they scare me though, no siree bob! The Nile Monitor Lizard was not available for handling, as they are remarkably dangerous. However I did see something that did catch my eye. Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches! They are remarkably easy to care for and gorgeous to look at. I was chatting to one of the charity workers there and he asked me if I felt brave. I told him I had just had the python across me, so I was game. This was when he started getting the cockroaches out and placing them over my face. They sat more or less still and you know what? I sodding loved them! There were some people there, other shoppers, who were not so enamoured, judging by the noises of horror but I was all aquiver. The tank required is not all that big and all I need to do now is find a place to buy them.

They had several dogs there, one of which was a Staffie which promptly slobbered over me and that’s always good. Interestingly the animals there, ranging from the rats to the exotics to the dogs were rescued and so my next exotic will also be a rescue effort. Having said that I really do want the ‘Roaches!