There I was, with a 14-foot albino Burmese python named Marshmallow around my neck.
I could have been regretting my decision, but in reality, I was just thinking one thing —“I love my job!”
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to do a wide range of activities in the course of pursuing a story.
I have gone to rodeos, interviewed up-and-coming television stars like Elmira’s own Lucas Bryant, and visited with Cassie Campbell before she went on air during last year’s exciting Hockeyville visit.
But last week may have been the ultimate experience, as I got up close and personal with Marshmallow.
It all came about after Ethan Waterhouse, from the Travelling Reptile Show, challenged the “photographers” to stop hiding being their cameras, and come meet the python.
I jumped at the chance.
After all, if six-year-old schoolchildren could be brave enough to do it, why not?
It was the culmination of what is a fascinating show, one sponsored by the Region of Waterloo library system. The show was held last Wednesday at the St. Jacobs branch library, after making similar stops at other locations, including Wellesley.
It’s a great opportunity for local children, an exciting part of the summer reading program that has been encouraging young readers to be involved in year-round learning.
Approximately 30 children came out to the show, and they took turns being fascinated, horrified, excited and frightened, all the while learning about reptiles.
Some would leap to the front of the room when it was time to pet one of the reptiles, such as Abby the American alligator, or tried to hide behind their mothers (who often looked like they wanted to hide themselves) when Rosie, the rose-haired tarantula, made an appearance.
But they all learned, as did I.
I never realized, for instance, that tarantulas can die if you drop them from a height, or that their so-called “poison” is no worse than a large bee sting.
The black-and-white Argentian tegu — a reptile I’m sure I have never heard of before — has a “trifector of awesomeness,” according to Waterhouse. It’s powerful jaws, sharp claws and powerful tail put it at the top of the food chain, which means it will even fight off cheetahs and jaguars — and win.
These are the tidbits I picked up over the course of an hour, and there were many more for the young scholars to soak up.
Waterhouse was patient with the children, who repeatedly asked whether a specific reptile would bite.
His response: “Anything with a mouth can bite you. Your grandma could bite you. She probably won’t, but it could happen.”
Waterhouse reminded his young charges that all animals, if treated with respect and dignity, are likely to give that same response back.
It was a wonderful show for the children, and credit is due to the Region of Waterloo library system for bringing something of this calibre to our communities.
My only regret, after leaving the show was this — I had been so busy taking pictures of the children that I neglected to get a picture of myself with the python.
Oh well. There’s always next year.