This year has been horrible for us, not just on a reptile level. Between my husband quitting his job of almost ten years and spending a month unemployed to sick critters, we haven't had a good year.

Right now, our jungle carpet x diamond python is suffering from a respiratory infection. We're treating him with antibiotics, and he's improving. Still has some of the rasp but strength and activity has returned greatly. That's a plus.

But to wrap of this year with a bang, fate took ahold and dealt me a devastating blow. Last Sunday, I got up and found my Quaker Parrot dead in the bottom of his cage. Pilsner was only 5 years old, much to young to die unexpectedly.

He showed no signs of illness until that Saturday, and even then I didn't pay much heed. I noticed he was puffed up, but he didn't stay like that long. Then I noticed he hadn't eaten much, but sometimes he was like that, so still I paid no attention, thinking maybe I gave him more than usual.

Sunday morning, as I sat on the floor and cried like a baby, all I could think was I'd killed my bird. And I might have. He may have been sick, and the signs may have been there, but being so worried about our snake and all the other bs in our lives, I didn't notice. I have to live with that guilt.

I'll celebrate when this year is over. So many hard blows we've taken this year. I told my husband if we lose the jcp, I think I'll be done with animals. Obviously we aren't doing something right.

Yes, we've kept reptiles for five or six years and never had an illness, so it was our due time I guess. Doesn't make the blow any easier to handle.

Sorry, just needed to vent.