Just wanted to update. We did go pick these guys up Saturday. It was a bit of a fiasco though. Sorry in advance for the novel, I just gotta get it out.
I sent the lady a text letting her know it was about an hour drive for us and approximately what time we would be there. We were 30mins away and on schedule; when she sent me a text saying she was going to a friends house but her husband would be there with one of his friends to help load the tank. We get there and he isn't there, we have to wait in their driveway for like 10mins for him, Gah (the first of many Gah's).
While sitting there I'm noticing that their house is a mess from the outside. There was one window open (it was 12 degrees F outside) with the curtain flopped out, another window had a big hole in the glass and their trash bins were overflowing full, like they hadn't been picked up in weeks. The husband finally gets there and he goes inside to put away the dog that was now hanging out of the open window barking at us. Dog all put away, I locked my girls in the truck and went into the GROSSEST house I've ever been in. The floors were all bare particle wood and were dirty, stained and stunk. There was staples and tack board indicating there had been carpet at one time, but I think it probably crawled away on it's own. The walls were dirty, the was ceiling dirty, everything was dirty!!!! Gah, all I wanted was to make a quick inspection of the snakes and get out.
The husband takes the lid off the tank (no clips holding it on) and moves aside for me to look for them. I found the female right away but the male wasn't in there. The guy got a flashlight and I looked again, nope not there. Awww crap & Gah... I just wanted to get out of there so I offered him $80 for the female and the tank & he said I'd have to talk with his wife, really?? Fine, I just had to get outta that house, luckily I had left my phone with my girls. Back in the safety of my truck I sent the lady a text & she declined my offer. Swell. I decided that I couldn't leave the poor female there. Who lives in squalor like that??
The husband and his friend got her all loaded and I handed over the money and then he says well if we find the male we'll bring him to you. Ooohhhh no, like H-E double hockey sticks you will, is what I wanted to say, but I just said nah we live an hour away we'll meet you halfway. No way was I going to tell this guy where we live!! I said thank you got in the truck, locked my doors and was explaining to my girls that one of the snakes had gotten out so we were just bringing one home & telling them No they couldn't go inside and look for him. As I was getting ready to put the truck in reverse the husbands friend comes running out of the house saying they found the male. The husband comes out of the house dangling this poor tiny snake from his fingertips in 12 degree weather, GAH! I quick opened the back of the truck and got the top off the tank and he just drops him in, GAHHH again. I was very happy to drive away!!
I tried taking some pictures when we got home and were moving them into their tubs, but the lighting was bad. They were so thirsty, both of them started drinking before I could even put them down. Sunday I gave them fresh water and new paper towels in their tubs and snapped a few pic's. I'll try to get them uploaded Monday sometime.
PS My truck is a Suburban, not a pickup, they were inside a heated vehicle. I also put 2 tupperware containers with handwarmers in the tank with them.
