Campus Snakewalk 9/5/10 - MSU

ekoostikBoa · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 01:46 AM

So here's the campus snakewalk story.

I'm sitting around Sunday thinking of what I'm going to do this day. It's a wonderful day outside. I could go for a run... I could go to the record store... or I could take a stroll across campus with Isis. The decision was easy

It's around 4:00 in the afternoon, nice day outside, so I pull out the snakebag that my aunt and uncle were kind enough to make for me.

And I place it in the tub I use to transport Isis.

I place Isis in the bag, zip goes the string, pop goes the lid and off we go.

I arrive on campus and walk across a field with a group of kids playing ultimate frisbee. Someone had just scored, and the one team was standing around getting ready to throw off as I walked up. They saw me and, while they're friends waited for them, they asked questions and we chatted about Isis for a few minutes.

I made it to the next road and came across a rather tall guy with his family. I saw him keep looking at me and getting his kids (~4 and 7 years old) attention. I walked by, but looked over my shoulder one more time to see how interested they were and they were looking at me so I turned around with a smile and walked up to them. They were very nice, had a few questions, and were a bit awestruck. They let their kids pet her, and as I was walking away they asked if I would come back and let them take a picture with their kids and Isis. I let them hold her tail and they got a few neat photos.

I moseyed down the road and came across the library. There was a hedge that stuck out, so you wouldn't really see people coming around the corner. I stayed back for a second to see if anybody was coming - and there was. I stayed back, the dad saw me and warned his family, i let them pass and we exchanged somewhat awkward smiles. As I made my way around the library two guys who had just arrived from Turkey last week asked for some pictures and we chatted for a moment.
Nothing too eventful for the next 25 minutes or so just a few brief conversations. I made my way across campus walking along the river trail and staying in the shade since the sun was a little warm. I came up to a road that crossed the river and crossed it. I ran into a college-age couple and talked to them for a few minutes.

Then a girl caught up to me and we started talking. About 15 minutes went by and then I broke what is now my golden rule: Don't ever let anybody else hold your snake while in public. Human nature being what it is, I have let three other people hold my snake while in public in the last year and have now decided otherwise from here on out.

So she has my snake around her neck and 10 seconds later an SUV cop pulls up and turns her lights on. I said to the girl "We have company" and then the cop walked up with a big smile on her face and started asking questions. Groups of people started gathering, maybe up to 10 or 12 people in the area at a time. The whole while, a good 20 minutes, the cop just kept asking curious questions - not cop questions, just friendly curious questions (a little too friendly at the 10 minute point). But yes, in the end, the cop was parked in the middle of a 4-lane 25mph road with her lights on for 20+ minutes.

(The cop didn't want to be in any photos, but this is where we were)

The cop left, and we continued to talk to the few people that were around for another 5 minutes. Then they left. Then her and I kept talking for about another 20 minutes and not one more person came up - group mentality, if others are doing it it's OK! Cops have a way of drawing attention too.

(Yes, I see her neck and people close to her - part of the reason to not let anybody else hold her. With having her, I can position myself better to avoid something like this.)

So I get Isis back and give Roxy her Ipod that takes video (she got a video of herself speaking Farsi(Iranian) with Isis to show her grandma) back.
On my way back to my car I was passing by Beaumont Tower and thought it would be a great photo.

Somebody across the street came over to talk for a second so I was lucky to get this photo

(I can't figure out why this one rotates - it is fine on Photobucket - PM me if you have a solution please)

Then I ate a guacamole burger with a Bells Two-Hearted Ale for dinner.

HERPHAPPY · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 01:54 AM

Whew! Pretty good day...but I agree with what you already figured out...don't hand your snake over....that's where something could go horribly wrong...glad it didn't! Ya did good, IMO!

Icicle · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 01:54 AM

Looks like the two of you had some good times today.

HERPHAPPY · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 01:55 AM

And yeah, those are great shots with you & Beaumont Tower!

Zack · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 03:48 AM

Sounds like you had an great time!

Stargazer · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 05:22 AM

Great blog! The only thing, I hope you brought hand sanitizer for folks who held the snakey. And since no one's said it already, Wakey wakey, little snakey!!!!!

HERPHAPPY · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazer

...The only thing, I hope you brought hand sanitizer for folks who held the snakey....

They're adults/college folks...I wouldn't expect them to be putting their fingers in their mouths?

Stargazer · #8 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HERPHAPPY

They're adults/college folks...I wouldn't expect them to be putting their fingers in their mouths?

Are you kidding? People eat with their fingers, bite their nails, etc. I always carry sanitizer with me when my snakes are around people. Or else I tell them to immediately go in and wash their hands. To me, that's part of being responsible having my snakes around others.

HERPHAPPY · #9 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazer

Are you kidding? People eat with their fingers, bite their nails, etc. I always carry sanitizer with me when my snakes are around people. Or else I tell them to immediately go in and wash their hands. To me, that's part of being responsible having my snakes around others.

Technically you may be right...although I think with adults it implies a danger level that just isn't justified by reality? And snakes already have enough bad 'press'!
So I assume you also do the same if someone pets your cat???

Stargazer · #10 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 02:06 PM

Because reptiles carry the risk of salmonella (no matter how small), I play it safe with others and always have them sanitize their hands before and after touching my snakes. If I forget to carry sanitizer, I always tell the people to please wash her hands afterward if I let them touch one of the snakes, just to be on the safe side. I do the same myself. I wouldn't want anyone to take less precautions than I do! I feel this is part of being responsible and educating the public. It's also damage control because then no one can come back and tell me they got sick from touching my snakes. I'm surprised anyone would argue this point, but I'm fine to take a stand on the hand washing/sanitizing.

In general, the #1 cause of catching any kind of illness is through unwashed hands. Since I started working at a hospital, and they make a big point about it, I've started doing it more.

HERPHAPPY · #11 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazer

Because reptiles carry the risk of salmonella (no matter how small), I play it safe with others and always have them sanitize their hands before and after touching my snakes. If I forget to carry sanitizer, I always tell the people to please wash her hands afterward if I let them touch one of the snakes, just to be on the safe side. I do the same myself. I wouldn't want anyone to take less precautions than I do! I feel this is part of being responsible and educating the public. It's also damage control because then no one can come back and tell me they got sick from touching my snakes. I'm surprised anyone would argue this point, but I'm fine to take a stand on the hand washing/sanitizing.
In general, the #1 cause of catching any kind of illness is through unwashed hands. Since I started working at a hospital, and they make a big point about it, I've started doing it more.

But do you do the same with your cat? Since you ignored my question, I am betting not! If some adult pets my dogs, I don't tell them to wash their hands & offer sanitizer! That's a decision I leave to them... and I think snake germs are far less a danger than germs picked up when petting a cat!

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