Our last installment found The Intrepid Three imploring their father for a corn snake. In their efforts to show responsible pet ownership, the kids have researched corn snake care online & at the library.

Additionally, I had the kids go to four different websites today & create a cost analysis for start-up, as well as weekly maintenance.

The kicker was today’s return visit to the pet store. The kids observed a corn snake devour a live pinkie mouse (squeaks and all). I thought if they observed this aspect of the life cycle and were okay with it, it would bode well for them. I feared that just researching it and knowing the “facts” were one thing, but if we got the snake and they cried or felt sorry for “the cute little mouse” they would decide it wasn’t the pet for them….and guess who would inherit the snake?

Surprisingly, they were very accepting of this reality of life. They watched the whole thing in rapt fascination, and still want one. They held and played with one of the corns. He had such a great personality, and they really loved him. He liked them, too.

The kids were invited to come as often as they want to gather more information and experience (it’s a very homeschool-friendly shop…we’ve gone independently and with homeschool field trip groups).

I’ve spared you (okay, *me* the chicken mama who didn’t look!), the graphic photos

It took two full days of tears (mainly mine!), to convince hubby to get our cat. He doesn’t hate animals, but lived in a pet-less household & doesn’t enjoy sharing space with them. That said, he loves our cat & she is crazy in love with him.

So, yesterday, when we visited the pet store & the kids begged me for a snake, you will note my reply in the title of this post.

To his credit, he did not say no, nor did he say yes, he said, not now. And, it’s true. The kids don’t help with our cat’s upkeep, beyond feeding her on occasion.

But today finds them cleaning their rooms with a gusto heretofore unseen! And singing the, “We’re Getting a Snake” song….

He’s been named Justin, by the way, even though he is still a figment of their collective desires.