[Gpdd] Re: Misc. The sad truth of an impossible question

[Off1Knight at aol.com]

Recently, through entries in the GPDD and conversations, the issue of feeding 
guinea pigs to snakes be them alive or frozen. Even as I type this the 
thought of either makes me sick. The thought of feeding them alive to a snake or any 
other animal goes far beyond he realm of humanity. The other method would 
require putting our most beloved of all pets (more on the order of a family 
member) to sleep by one means or another. NONE of which I could come close to 
finding preferable. To add insult to injury, those that would deliver our little 
miracles to the final end, I am SURE, use the most economical means as can be 
found to do this. I wish I had even a glimmer of hope to answering this question 
but I can honestly see none without taking the life of one of our little guys 
or the life of a gerbil, a hamster or a mouse. I do not KNOW if a snake can 
survive on other then live food and am presuming that it is not the case. Just 
as WE defend the lives of guinea pigs, so would the owners of a snake. If we 
hold a snake with any less value than we hold our little guys, then WE are 
wrong. Maybe the true problem is that nature never intended for either to be 
possessed by humans. (AGAIN I SAY THIS believing that snakes require mice, rabbits 
guinea pigs and several other small animals since in my limited research MOST 
require their natural foods) To bury our heads in the sand is certainly not an 
answer and allowing a snake to die for lack of food is as wrong as not 
feeding out beloved little guys. If there IS an answer I could even venture, it 
would be to prohibit the ownership of snakes that REQUIRE live or previously 
frozen food. I did find SOME that do ear insects. Would this stop it...NO there 
would still be those who would own them and still feed them their natural diet? 
So in closing this sad issue, I can only say be thankful for your little ones 
and love them like there IS no tomorrow and for those that meet the untimely 
end which has brought tears to my heart, include them in your prayers. I only 
wish I had the answer. 

Sincerely,

Joseph C. Petrillo, George the guinea pigs daddy