I'm so very touched with your informative post, especially this line, which brings tears to my eyes. People are so ratty to snakes. And they don't deserve it.
I live in an apartment, and the rules are "one dog or cat." Hoping my circumstances change, actually working toward changing my circumstances, please wish me luck.
I hope and pray things change for you.
I would think a landlord should be happy about a non-hairy, non-barking, non-chewing choice of pets.
I have to confess that I was quite surprised by the level of affection I have come to feel for my snakes.
Far from being “cold, instinctual beasts”, they all have different personalities and are *very* interactive and affectionate.
When my pup Halla passed away, hubby was too distraught to offer me any real comfort so I got Bob, my biggest Boa out and sat with him in the kitchen.
He started his usual wiggling and climbing until his tongue touched the tears on my face.
Then, he became very still and wrapped himself around my waist and gently squeezed me, laying his face against my cheek.
We just sat like that for a half hour or so.
I have no idea what was going on in his mind but somehow, he knew something was amiss and tried to comfort the only way he knew how.
I do know, for sure, that there’s more to them than people imagine.
:)