First, I'd like to make a public apology to Deb. We've been in the same circles for years, with companion parrots and reptiles, and I have misjudged her. For that, I am truly sorry. I think the way she was coming across to me is probably the way I come across to others, and we're actually quite a bit alike. I'm usually a good judge of character, and I think I was way off on this one. We've been kind of chatting back and forth and the more we talk the worse I feel, so I need to get this off my chest.
Deb, I'm sorry.
The following may be a bit detailed, but I feel like I need to say more, having actually met the person I was dealing with rather than just opening the box. I drove to Deb's yesterday to pick up an animal. She was friendly and courteous as could be, and all smiles. We had a bit of girly gossip (which was fun! LOL), and she started pulling animals out of racks and talking about them as she handed them to me to drool over. For those that don't know, Deb is deaf but you sure wouldn't know it. She's a hoot to talk to!
Every tub was pristine, with clean water and a hide. She's not kidding when she says she loves her animals. I've often wondered if some of the folks out there walk the walk they so easily talk. But Deb does what she says she does.
Anyhow, she spoke of reasons she wouldn't sell this animal or that animal, and it really made me quite comfortable. It's not about the money with Deb. It's about what is in that animals' best interest. I'm not saying she shirks customer service, as that is right on par, she just puts the emphasis first where it SHOULD be. I really wish at that point she'd have turned her back, because that pastel pied female would have disappeared.
Her pictures don't do the animals justice, believe me. I enjoyed seeing her new project animals, and wish her nothing but the best of luck with that one. I get the feeling something amazing is lurking there. If people are trashing her animals, it's people that have an agenda that doesn't put good breeders on the pedestal they should be on and I'd not hesitate to question
their ethics. Or sanity, for that matter.
Cute, clean little healthy rodents too. I've always had a ton of respect for the breeders who also take the extra time to raise feeders so they know what's going in their snakes and where it's been. Quality rodents take more time to maintain than the snakes do.
The animals I picked up from Deb are gorgeous, and have been well cared for. I think she said she'd raised them from hatchlings and both girls are proven breeders for her. (I'd have to check emails to make sure.) I see no scars of any sort, and they are nice and muscular rather than thin or obese. She packed them lovingly into tubs for their trip to WV, and labeled them for me so I wouldn't forget who was who. She knows I have birds too, so she even sent me home with a couple really nice little things for them. My pionus is a shower nut, and is gonna love that shower perch Deb!
Only one person has ever been in my snake room, and they were here to pick up some rat racks. Their bodies are buried in my backyard. I kid, I kid! I'd like to take this opportunity to say that Deb is welcome here any time. That's high,
high praise coming from me.
Thanks Deb for the beautiful ladies, and for the fun conversation. I do hope we can manage to do it again some time.
