SNAKES!!!!!!!!!

[LillFilly]

Hmmm, maybe the service snake could monitor blood pressure. I've heard of rats being used for something like that.

We take our snake out too, but around the house, not into stores. Though I brought my rabbit to Lowes and he was a huge hit!

But still, an animal is an animal, whether it's a snake on the neck, a puppy in a purse, or a poodle on a leash. Doesn't belong in the store no matter how cute it is, unless it's a service animal.

I want to see a service horse in real life someday!

[ShinyObject]

Why don't I ever get people wearing snakes where I shop? I feel so left out....

[bhskittykatt]

I've heard of service snakes that would give a squeeze if the person had a seizure coming on. So it's possible.

[Moosenogger]

Because they're scared, and their instincts tell them to get a far from the threat as possible.

I've never understood phobias that are that bad. I can understand being wary of something you don't like or trust, but to actually run from something that doesn't pose an imminent threat sounds like a serious problem.

I wonder if there's any way people with those kinds of phobias can condition themselves to feel less threatened or scared. I assume it would take a long time, though, depending on the level of fear they have toward a particular thing.

[Dilorenzo]

Got no problem with snakes in the same way I have no problems with Sharks.

Stay the hell away from both, though, just in case they have a problem with me.

[Merriweather]

Closest I've seen was a guy wandering around a local car boot sale (flea market) with a very large iguana on his shoulder.

[Mytical]

Ok you all can set up the firing squad...ready???

I've had it with the ever loving snakes, on this ever loving plane!

Ok..*puts on blindfold* you may fire when ready.

Now back on topic..I like animals..of all kinds. That doesn't mean I want to volunteer to be the next meal or whatever. I prefer to think of it as a healthy respect. So with things like snakes, etc I have an understanding. They leave me alone, I will not run and cower in a corner . I can handle my own..don't get me wrong, but if it is a PET that means Mytical no hurt. If I can not defend myself, the other option is RUN LIKE A SCAREDY CAT!

[raudf]

For me, it all depends on the snake and the handler's attitude. I'm not fond of snakes, but I'm not scared of them either. They just are not my type of pet.

I do have a rule about poisonous snakes on my yard or in my home. If possible, encourage it to move on. If not, it's going to have to die, because of the kids.. not that the dogs would let one live if they found it first. And yes, I keep myself educated on the type of snakes. And I'm teaching what I know to the kids.

Garter/garden snakes and other such non-poisonous, they are just left alone or encouraged to move on in a direction that isn't likely to get them hurt by accident. King Snakes are allowed to stay within certain areas that are off limits to the kids and dogs, because they are good for keeping the wild rat/mice population down as well as the poisonous snake population.

I also don't kill any I come up on while hiking or camping. Just keep mindful of them and give 'em their space. The only reason I can't do that in my own yard is because kids have memories of blown glass at times and the dogs don't like snakes in "their" turf.

[AccountingDrone]

I want to see a service horse in real life someday!

Maybe to assist my wheelchair on a slope?
Though I do like the idea of having a newfie pulling =)

[Ree]

I've never understood phobias that are that bad.

As someone with that kind of phobia, I have to say, I don't understand it either, but the reaction just happens.

It's similar to not being able to sleep unless you have a blanket over you. It's totally irrational, and the blanket offers no protection at all, but it's just a mental thing that it has to be there.

We know the snake can't reach us and won't hurt us, but we still make sure there is enough distance between us and them.

My phobia is so bad, I can't even look at a TV screen or a page in a book if there's a snake. In fact, I have had times when I came across the picture in a book or magazine and threw it across the room.

If there is a show or movie with a snake in the scene, I curl my feet up under me and won't let my legs dangle, or my feet touch the floor in case the snake gets me. LOL
Yeah...pretty stupid and irrational, but that's my phobia.

[MoonCat]

I love snakes. I wouldn't take one into a store, though, mainly because I'd be afraid someone might hurt the snake.

I understand that phobias can be pretty bad. My one sister is totally freaked by spiders. So am I, if they get close to me, especially if they're large. But I still have to be the one who chucks them outside because she CANNOT get close to one.

We both used to be terrified of centipedes. We once persuaded our mom to switch bedrooms with us for a few nights because we'd seen one in our room. One day I realized I had lost my fear of them. I still don't really like them, but I'm no longer terrified and even think they're kinda interesting. I believe the gods took away my fear (probably because they knew I'd end up moving to a house that's basically Centipede Central in the spring and summer...what can I say, too close to the river and they like damp....)

[ArcticChicken]

As someone with that kind of phobia, I have to say, I don't understand it either, but the reaction just happens.

The thing that I find totally bizarre about my spider phobia is the difference in my reaction if someone else is there or not. If no one is home, I freak out a little, and go get the vacuum cleaner to suck it up. If someone else is there, I literally cannot deal with the spider on my own, someone else needs to do it.

[Jay 2K Winger]

I understand people have phobias, and I'll admit, I get nervous about snakes and creepy crawlies. But I take the approach of "leave them alone, they'll probably leave me alone."

Not to say I won't freak out if one crawls or slithers onto me. I'll probably slap it away, then put some distance between us.

Heck, spiders, as I see it, fulfill a vital role! They eat other creepy crawlies.

I didn't even want to disturb the big fat black widow I found in our garage, which had set up shop between the two garage doors, and had clearly been doing a great job keeping the bugs at bay. When I mentioned it to Mom, though, she immediately demanded I kill it. When I refused to do so, she did it herself with some bug spray. Her view on spiders is "they have the whole outside to live in, they can do it there, NOT in my house."

Sigh.

[downforit2008]

Snakes brought into a store??? And I thought people who bring their dogs (not service animals)into a store were idiotic enough!

[BlaqueKatt]

We both used to be terrified of centipedes. We once persuaded our mom to switch bedrooms with us for a few nights because we'd seen one in our room. One day I realized I had lost my fear of them. I still don't really like them, but I'm no longer terrified and even think they're kinda interesting.

the long-leggedy ones(Mediterranean) eat spiders, bedbugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other small bugs, they also don't reach breeding age until three years, and can live up to 7 years! And they only have 8 legs when they hatch-the tiny ones are adorable, the large ones torment my cats(they run back and forth juuuusssst outside the cats jumping range....)