Roommates find python in building’s laundry room ... and keep it as a pet
CALGARY What began as a startling find during laundry day has sparked a lifelong friendship between man and serpent.
Peter Quebec-Stacey’s roommate was in their Calgary condo unit’s lower-floor laundry last Tuesday when she encountered a most unexpected visitor — a twofoot-long ball python curled up under the washing machine.
“She was screaming at first — we were both quite scared at the start, as we weren’t sure what the snake’s reaction would be to being handled,” Quebec-Stacey said.
“Once we realized how sweet she is, we both had a good laugh at how crazy the whole situation was.”
Carefully transporting their writhing guest back to their unit, the two started trying to track down information on who the snake belonged to and what exactly they were dealing with.
After getting the snake a clean bill of health from a local vet, Quebec-Stacey set out to reunite the obviously domesticated critter with her owner — with no luck.
“Until at least an owner could be found, I wanted to make sure she was safe and comfortable,” he said.
That’s when the little snake that nobody wanted slithered into their hearts.
“After going through all the crazy things of figuring out what she was and what to do with her, we just both kind of fell in love with her,” he said.
“I just felt bad for her — it must have been terrifying for her.”
While Quebec-Stacey had no previous experience keeping snakes, he’s done his homework and is confident in his ability to provide a good home.
They’ve chosen to call their new housemate T Swift — a homage to the newsworthy pop star who featured serpents in the viral marketing campaign for her upcoming album.
“She’s acclimatized very fast,” he said.
“From what I’ve read it normally takes them a while to settle, so she must be happy to be warm and safe again.”