I have been keeping, hunting, collecting, breeding reptiles and amphibians for many years. I probably got my first herp when I was nine or ten. That was a Red Eared Slider Turtle. Over the years since then, I have kept and bred snakes, tortoises, and lizards. I have kept, but not bred, many other types of the above herps plus turtles, frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Most recently I bred my Herman's Tortoises and Corn Snakes. My most recent collection, until today, consisted of 3 Anderson's Salamanders, 2 Fire Bellied Blue Tailed Newts, 2 African Clawed Frogs, 1 Iberian Ribbed Newt, 11 Corn Snakes, 2 Hognose Snakes, 1 Musk Turtle, 4 Hermann's Tortoises, and 2 Redfoot Tortoises. I said until today and that is where 'friends' come into play.
Many years ago, I guess about 21 or 22 (pretty sure it was 22) years ago, joined the Long Island Herpetological Society (LIHS). That is when I met Rich M. Jr.. Since then we have become good friends even though we usually only see each other about a dozen to a few more times a year. Rich's dad used to be the president of the society and under him, our membership reached its apex of over 300 dues paying members. Today, I think we are lucky if we have 80 dues paying members, Yet, as a herpetological society, we are still going at it. Over the years, Ive met many others at the LIHS whom I consider friends but none probably quite as close a friend as is Rich M Jr, to me. When I told him I had cancer and that I needed to get rid of most, if not all of my reptiles and amphibians, he was the first to offer assistance and he offered to take all my herps and if I wanted, said he would care for them until I could take them back. Others also offered but Rich was the first to step forward. Now, truth be told, I told him about my cancer first, but he offered help immediately and absolutely with no conditions attached.
Today, I gave Rich most of my animals. Linda drove me to his house ad we met Rich and Ann (his lady friend) there. I gave them: 3 Anderson's Salamanders, 2 Fire Bellied Blue Tailed Newts, 2 African Clawed Frogs, 11 Corn Snakes, 2 Hognose Snakes, and 2 Redfoot Tortoises. That left me with the Iberian Ribbed Newt, the Musk Turtle and the Hermann's Tortoises. As I told ich, the corn snales are his and so are the Hognose snakes, to do with as he pleases. I am hoping, when well again, to take back the salamanders, newts and frogs. Due to the probability that my treatments will lower my ability to ward off infections, I am not supposed to clean out things like reptile or amphibian tanks and tropical fish aquaria of which I still have 3 aquaria and 2 tortoise tanks. I also plan to reduce the aquariums to only 2 tanks - one housing my newt and the other the musk turtle and both also holding some fish, Brendan will then take care of them and all of the family will probably care for the tortoises because not only do Brendan and I like them but so do Linda and Celina.
As for the herps I gave to Rich, I trust he will care for them well, maybe even better than his own, he is that kind of a friend. As far as friends go he is a blessing. My thanks to him and to the other of my good friends who offered to help: John H., Harry F. and Kirk P., and to Gideon H. and Mike R. who also sent well wishes - all great guys. (If I missed anyone, sorry my memory is sort of like swiss cheese lately.)
All the best,
Glenn B
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