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A Funny Thing Happened at the In-Laws

The husband-ish and I gathered up the kids this past Sunday and headed over to his family's home for a nice Christmas brunch and gift exchange.  We expected to return home a couple of hours later with full bellies, a new game or two, and a handful of gift cards; all expectations that were dutifully fulfilled.  What we didn't expect to return home with was a beautiful, nine-year-old, 4'+ long, ball python:

Meet Jackson*.

Jackson wasn't part of the gift exchange, coming to us instead by way of a side conversation about my interest in the Encyclopedia of Life; specifically our plans to keep and photograph a few of the mantis species that are currently lacking entries.  This led to a brief discussion about other exotic species we've adopted in the past, or intend to adopt in the future... which led to the revelation that their neighbor was looking for a new home for her son's python (he recently moved to a community with a ban on exotic pets)... which led to a quick phone call... which led to the whole family trucking across the street for a peek... which led to our arranging to pick him up and take him home last night.

So, I suppose this officially enlists me in the Anti-Caturday brigade.  We're thrilled to have added him to our family, and are looking forward to sharing a long and happy life with him.

*His name, inspired by Samuel Jackson's delightful performance in the Shakespearianesque classic Snakes on a Plane, is pending approval by the kids, who left for a sleepover shortly after his arrival.