Zoo Supply
ZoologicalSupply.com
Art, I think you show enough proof here to ask webslave or one of the moderators to change his last name on the subject of this thread to the proper spelling....
TOM
TOM
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Responding to email notices you receive.
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In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.
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IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed
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Posted 08/15/2025
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Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.
Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."
Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....
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Addendum: 01/10/2026
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Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....
Jim Middlestat - Avoiding my calls?
- Thread starter Art Klass
- Start date
Art Klass
Rainman
Tom,
When I corrected Jim Mittelstaedts name in the previous post I emailed Rich to see if he could change the title to the thread. His reply was that he could not because of the possible legal implications. I understand his position, so it is as it is. Art
When I corrected Jim Mittelstaedts name in the previous post I emailed Rich to see if he could change the title to the thread. His reply was that he could not because of the possible legal implications. I understand his position, so it is as it is. Art
Art Klass
Rainman
Jeff,
Thanks for your assistance in this matter. I hope to have this worked out soon. Art
Chameleon Company
New member
Hey Kelly, wanted to pose a different assumption:
Here's what you said:
I could only hope that such logic would prevail. Unfortunately, I believe it is the experience of most of us that when someone is in dire financial straits, that that is a scenario into which we would least like to have our assets on loan. Just speculating here, but financial pressures increase the likelihood that our assets could be sold by the borrowing entity, not notified or compensated for if it perished, or held onto beyond the original agreement if it were still income producing for the borrowing entity. At a minimum, such situations can cause people to make otherwise less-logical decisions than they would have when all was smooth sailing.
I do want to thank Jeff in Arkansas for his efforts here, as well as Art's patience, and hope that a resolution is found.
Here's what you said:
I could only hope that such logic would prevail. Unfortunately, I believe it is the experience of most of us that when someone is in dire financial straits, that that is a scenario into which we would least like to have our assets on loan. Just speculating here, but financial pressures increase the likelihood that our assets could be sold by the borrowing entity, not notified or compensated for if it perished, or held onto beyond the original agreement if it were still income producing for the borrowing entity. At a minimum, such situations can cause people to make otherwise less-logical decisions than they would have when all was smooth sailing.
I do want to thank Jeff in Arkansas for his efforts here, as well as Art's patience, and hope that a resolution is found.
Art Klass
Rainman
Kelly
I don't know why Jim Mittelstaedt has not contacted me. My fear is that something has happened to my boa making Jim reluctant to call me. If that's the case I can understand his apprehension, however this needs to be dealt with. The longer I am put off, the harder it is going to be for him. Art
Art Klass
Rainman
A new approach:
The following email was sent to Jim on 1-14-06. Thought I would try something a little different.
OK Jim, we'll play it your way.
Do you have my boa?
_____ Yes
_____ No
_____ Maybe
Please check one. Thanks, Art
The following email was sent to Jim on 1-14-06. Thought I would try something a little different.
OK Jim, we'll play it your way.
Do you have my boa?
_____ Yes
_____ No
_____ Maybe
Please check one. Thanks, Art
Art Klass
Rainman
He's not going to check any of them. If I was going to hear from him I would have already. I just thought I would make it real easy for him. Art
Art Klass
Rainman
The following email was sent to Jim on 1-15-06.
Jim, I am going to pick up my kids later today in Marshall, AR. Let's meet there and you can give me my boa. We don't have to discuss anything. You transfer the boa to me and I leave. It's that simple. You're looking at under two hours to get there. 65 north @ Conway, 15 - 20 minutes past Clinton. Email me and we will set up a time and exact location. Art
Jim, I am going to pick up my kids later today in Marshall, AR. Let's meet there and you can give me my boa. We don't have to discuss anything. You transfer the boa to me and I leave. It's that simple. You're looking at under two hours to get there. 65 north @ Conway, 15 - 20 minutes past Clinton. Email me and we will set up a time and exact location. Art
Art Klass
Rainman
Jim Mittelstaedt finally emailed me:
The following is the email that I just received from Jim as well as my emailed response to him.
----- Original Message -----
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 1:57 PM
Subject: Re: I need to hear from you.
Art ---
Finally you have made contact. I have not had my phone to use.
This fall has been a bad one for me, and snakes too. I started earlier rebuilding my snake building this fall. Remove roof, walls, everything down to the concrete base. Then I hurt knee and ankles as soccer referee. This was followed up with knee surgery thereby loss of movement on my part.
While I was out of it and the snake/work shop was under going rebuilding, the snake and plants have been housed in my wife's sunroom porch. While I was out of it, the weather turned to freezing. My heating system proved to be incapable of keeping the room warming enough. In addition to plants, I lost your male boa, my striped male boa, the 10 foot female boa that I had for 14 years and was breeding with the males, and both my big male albino Burmese. I am left with 4 ball pythons, two big male Burmese, Scar (a large female boa, about 6 foot) and a little boa (2 foot).
Scar may have mated with the males. I don't know. She gets the name Scar due to her appearance from the improper care by someone else (unknown, was a rescue snake). She has laid slugs several years ago right after I acquired her.
If you would like to have her, Jeff would be happy to get her to you. Or I can keep her and see if she has babies, and then send them to you. I have also been trying to locate another male for replacement but have not had any success.
I had managed to get to the meeting Thursday. I talked to Adam and Jeff about the problem. Others already were aware of my problems and had helped with some feeding of snakes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim,
Thank you for contacting me. I wish you would have contacted me earlier. That being said, I am sorry for both of our losses.
I am not interested in your female or any of the neonates that she produces. It's never a good idea to disturb a gravid boa let alone transport one.
I would like a replacement. That boa was a valuable part of a pastel project that I am involved in. I think it's fair for him to be replaced with a similar boa. I am not asking for anything beyond that. Are you able to purchase a boa that I might find and have it shipped from the seller to my home? If you can do this, I will be satisfied and we will be square.
PLEASE keep in contact with me. I hope to work this out as soon as possible.
Regards, Art
The following is the email that I just received from Jim as well as my emailed response to him.
----- Original Message -----
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 1:57 PM
Subject: Re: I need to hear from you.
Art ---
Finally you have made contact. I have not had my phone to use.
This fall has been a bad one for me, and snakes too. I started earlier rebuilding my snake building this fall. Remove roof, walls, everything down to the concrete base. Then I hurt knee and ankles as soccer referee. This was followed up with knee surgery thereby loss of movement on my part.
While I was out of it and the snake/work shop was under going rebuilding, the snake and plants have been housed in my wife's sunroom porch. While I was out of it, the weather turned to freezing. My heating system proved to be incapable of keeping the room warming enough. In addition to plants, I lost your male boa, my striped male boa, the 10 foot female boa that I had for 14 years and was breeding with the males, and both my big male albino Burmese. I am left with 4 ball pythons, two big male Burmese, Scar (a large female boa, about 6 foot) and a little boa (2 foot).
Scar may have mated with the males. I don't know. She gets the name Scar due to her appearance from the improper care by someone else (unknown, was a rescue snake). She has laid slugs several years ago right after I acquired her.
If you would like to have her, Jeff would be happy to get her to you. Or I can keep her and see if she has babies, and then send them to you. I have also been trying to locate another male for replacement but have not had any success.
I had managed to get to the meeting Thursday. I talked to Adam and Jeff about the problem. Others already were aware of my problems and had helped with some feeding of snakes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim,
Thank you for contacting me. I wish you would have contacted me earlier. That being said, I am sorry for both of our losses.
I am not interested in your female or any of the neonates that she produces. It's never a good idea to disturb a gravid boa let alone transport one.
I would like a replacement. That boa was a valuable part of a pastel project that I am involved in. I think it's fair for him to be replaced with a similar boa. I am not asking for anything beyond that. Are you able to purchase a boa that I might find and have it shipped from the seller to my home? If you can do this, I will be satisfied and we will be square.
PLEASE keep in contact with me. I hope to work this out as soon as possible.
Regards, Art
Cat_72
Back from exile :)
Well, I guess that wasn't necessarily the answer you wanted Art, but at least you finally have an answer.....and it seems to be an honest one. I can see where it was probably difficult for him to tell you what happened, but he should have told you as soon as it happened...
That said, I think you had a very tactful response to his email, and think what you have asked is more than fair. Hopefully he will see this through now that you have finally gotten him communicating....
That said, I think you had a very tactful response to his email, and think what you have asked is more than fair. Hopefully he will see this through now that you have finally gotten him communicating....
Chameleon Company
New member
I am glad for both of you that Jim made contact. Not making excuses for him, but his apparently confirmed difficulties put him in a situation he did not anticipate, and where he made a bad decision or two with regard to contacting you. Hopefully something will work out. Art, maybe you already planned to take this matter off the BOI, at least so long as you are now making progress. If things continue to progress well, I would recommend only an occasional update, and would refrain from posting Jim's emails here providing things are moving in a positive direction. If Jim is hoping to cooperate as best as he is able, knowledge that his emails may end up here regardless may create an undesireable effect. That he was wrong is clear, as is the likelihood that your bringing it to the BOI had some impact. Better late than never !
Art Klass
Rainman
Jim Flaherty,
You read my mind. I posted his email because I know people were following any progress I made. Hopefully that the ball is now rolling we can work this out. I give much credit to the BOI and thanks to those who helped and responded. I will, of course, keep everyone updated as necessary. Regards, Art Klass
You read my mind. I posted his email because I know people were following any progress I made. Hopefully that the ball is now rolling we can work this out. I give much credit to the BOI and thanks to those who helped and responded. I will, of course, keep everyone updated as necessary. Regards, Art Klass
dzoo
New member
Art, I'm curious about his claim to not have use of a phone. Is this the number you had for him? I assume you were calling a working # with an answering machine?:
Art Klass
Rainman
Jon, Yes, that's the number I had. I honestly couldn't tell you how many messages I left. If I pick this thing apart there are many inconsistencies. Now that I am in contact with Jim I am focusing on a positive outcome. If I point the finger of death and play the blame game it's not going to affect either of us in a good way. Does that make sense? Art
dzoo
New member
Yeah, I hope you do have a positive outcome. At least you've got some communication finally. I was just doing a quick cursory search on Pastel Boas and I see Boaphile.com has some 2003 males available for $300, of course I don't know how they compare color wise to the one you lost. Good Luck
Chameleon Company
New member
Well put Art. You know where I stand on trying to minimize any antagonism, and work towards a solution, and I believe you are way ahead or me there ! Many of us hope for a resolution, for the sake of you and Jim. I wish good things for him as he tries to put things back together, and he has taken a step towards that.
Art Klass
Rainman
Jon, thanks for the direction. I will definately look into it. Art
Art Klass
Rainman
Update:
Jim Mittelstaedt sent me his email explaining the demise of my boa on 1-15-06. I've sent several emails and made many calls trying to work out a replacement solution, all of which continue to be ignored. Jim obviously has no intention of righting this wrong.
Jim you were irresponsible to house snakes on a sunroom porch during freezing weather. If you were so down and out, then why didn't you contact me to pick up my boa when you could not take care of him any more? I TRUSTED YOU WITH MY BOA!
There are three things that I don't let people mess with: my family, my livelihood and my boas. You messed in the wrong place. Because of this experience I will never loan another boa to anyone.
I have been patient with you and you return in kind by ignoring me. You know it is your responsibility to replace my boa, but you ignore me. I've been understanding and offered a solution and you ignore me.
I don't think you plan to take care of this at all. I think that you are just holding your breath, hoping that I'll just go away. I'm sure that every time the phone rings you cringe thinking that it's probably me again.
I've got a question for you Jim. When did my boa die? The last time I spoke to you on the phone was the end of September or early October. I told you that it was time for me to get my boa back and you just paused on the phone, saying nothing. I assumed that you were trying to figure out how to ask me if you could keep him through the breeding season. I then asked you if you wanted to keep him for a while for breeding and you said, "yes". Was my boa already dead Jim? While you were pausing on the phone were you trying to figure out what to tell me because you screwed up and froze my boa?
I can't believe your lack of intestinal fortitude in the way you've handled this situation. You should be ashamed of yourself. I thought that you were a man of your word. I was wrong. A man steps up and takes his lumps if he has it coming. You run away and ignore it.
I was fully prepared to let all of this go as long as you just stayed in contact with me and tried to work this out. If you were having financial difficulties and needed to wait awhile before you could provide me with a suitable replacement, that would have been fine. I just wanted a plan. I wanted to take steps in a forward direction. You just ignore me.
I've come to terms with the fact that your not going to compensate me for my loss. Life goes on. I would never treat anybody the way you are treating me. Shame on you Jim! I wouldn't trust you with a burrito.
You didn't even sign your name to the one email you sent me.
Art Klass
Jim Mittelstaedt sent me his email explaining the demise of my boa on 1-15-06. I've sent several emails and made many calls trying to work out a replacement solution, all of which continue to be ignored. Jim obviously has no intention of righting this wrong.
Jim you were irresponsible to house snakes on a sunroom porch during freezing weather. If you were so down and out, then why didn't you contact me to pick up my boa when you could not take care of him any more? I TRUSTED YOU WITH MY BOA!
There are three things that I don't let people mess with: my family, my livelihood and my boas. You messed in the wrong place. Because of this experience I will never loan another boa to anyone.
I have been patient with you and you return in kind by ignoring me. You know it is your responsibility to replace my boa, but you ignore me. I've been understanding and offered a solution and you ignore me.
I don't think you plan to take care of this at all. I think that you are just holding your breath, hoping that I'll just go away. I'm sure that every time the phone rings you cringe thinking that it's probably me again.
I've got a question for you Jim. When did my boa die? The last time I spoke to you on the phone was the end of September or early October. I told you that it was time for me to get my boa back and you just paused on the phone, saying nothing. I assumed that you were trying to figure out how to ask me if you could keep him through the breeding season. I then asked you if you wanted to keep him for a while for breeding and you said, "yes". Was my boa already dead Jim? While you were pausing on the phone were you trying to figure out what to tell me because you screwed up and froze my boa?
I can't believe your lack of intestinal fortitude in the way you've handled this situation. You should be ashamed of yourself. I thought that you were a man of your word. I was wrong. A man steps up and takes his lumps if he has it coming. You run away and ignore it.
I was fully prepared to let all of this go as long as you just stayed in contact with me and tried to work this out. If you were having financial difficulties and needed to wait awhile before you could provide me with a suitable replacement, that would have been fine. I just wanted a plan. I wanted to take steps in a forward direction. You just ignore me.
I've come to terms with the fact that your not going to compensate me for my loss. Life goes on. I would never treat anybody the way you are treating me. Shame on you Jim! I wouldn't trust you with a burrito.
You didn't even sign your name to the one email you sent me.
Art Klass
Junkyard
Generally Running Circles
Art, you are full of patience and class(no pun intended). You have shown a lot of trust, and a willingness to fix this problem easily and not ruin a friendship. Apparently Jim could care less about you and the snakes. It is sad to see a bad ending, you have been wonderful through all of this and Jim has simply thrown his hand in front of your face and is trying to run away. How pathetic.
Art, you are one of a kind. I have a lot of respect for you.
Art, you are one of a kind. I have a lot of respect for you.