WOW……what a day yesterday was for us here at The Snake Keeper. The computer almost shut down it was so busy. There has just been an outpouring of support for the capture & conviction of those responsible for the theft of Jeff Houston’s snakes.
A little background here for you that really do not know what is going on. Let me tell you about Jeff. I really can not remember when I met Jeff for the first time, sorry Jeff, but my first recollection was when he drove up to our place with his wife. They came here several years ago and bought a few possible het piebald ball python females from us. This was their beginning in the Ball Python world. Previously he was into large lizards.
We have always kept in contact over the years. This past year he would call me telling me what his long term plans were and all. He was turning into a family guy. He was talking about it was time for he and his wife to have children and enjoy the benefits of family life. Then the talk started of moving out of California. He was looking at going to Washington. He even went there looking at land and all that. Came home made a plan and by now the first child was already on the way. I think he had a place picked out up in Washington and was getting some leads on a good job and even had an offer.
He decided he was going to jump in the ball pythons with both feet and was out to spend some money. So he did and he bought a spider, Mojave, ghosts, pastels and a few normals I am sure. Now some of you must be thinking this is why we are putting together this reward because he spent allot of money here. Well you could not be further from the truth. He bought all those snakes from other breeders. So it is not that he spent the money here.
Jeff & Rachel are just normal people who had the dream. He runs his own business and they are just trying like everyone else to get by every month. He had the dream that the snakes would be the vehicle to reach their goals. So Rachel supported him and they were on their way. He had emailed me just a week ago saying the Mojave was tail wrapping the female. The spider was not showing interest yet but was big enough and it was just a matter of time. The pastels were getting to work and the het pied was breeding the possible het females. So things were coming together just as they had hopped. It was looking like the goal was in sight.
Then Rachel had a miscarriage a week ago and now the snakes were stolen. If you have ever lost a child or your snake you know this is not a good feeling. So here we are with a guy who lost it all. He did not call and ask for help. He called and said he had been robbed but that was all. As I said he was a great guy, he makes you laugh and he is fun to be around. So here we are now. Jeff has given us a reason to come together as a community and show support. This was not his idea; it was ours The Snake Keeper. He did not ask for it. I think he was surprised.
I have been really moved by the donations that have been sent in from everyone, the kind words and everything. People who do not even have snakes are donating to the cause. Some can only afford $10 and all of it is appreciated at this time. Can you believe we raised 40K in one day? Today we will hit 50K! What an accomplishment to those who have come forward to show their support. I am grateful for you all. Thank you!
It just goes to show that we are there to support those who are in the business/ hobby. These snakes are not cheap and many put their life savings into it in the hope that they can be like the big guys and sell a snake of their own for 5K or more some day. It is not just a dream it is a reality. We did it, we are proof of it. I want everyone who gets in this business to succeed. Again thanks to those that have supported this great cause. Lets see if it works and we catch the people.
Thank you,
Dan & Colette Sutherland
netviper digital studio