reptile, aquarium

Although I greatly love cats and dogs, and now have one of each, my favorite pet growing up was actually a reptile. I had long wanted a reptile for a pet, but my mom always resisted the idea. Luckily for me, my uncle knew of my desire and presented me with a baby boa constrictor as a birthday gift. He had included the aquarium and all the necessary equipment. Because it was a birthday gift, my mom couldn't really refuse. Plus, my little snake was still very young, and small enough where he didn't seem threatening. I loved my new reptile friend! I named him Mahri, and spent a lot of time with him. Whenever I did chores, I would loop him around my shoulders and take him along. I found this reptile endlessly fascinating, and would watch him shed his skin and swallow his food whole. He was easy for a child to care for; he only needed to eat every two weeks and have his aquarium cleaned out. Of course, he grew much bigger as time went on and soon outgrew his small aquarium. I saved up my allowance and birthday money so that I could buy him a bigger home. When I left my mother's house as an adult, I took Mahri with me. It sounds funny to say it, but I think a reptile was this little girl's best friend!