Cassandra’s heart pounded as she stared at the ultrasound screen. Her beloved pet python, Reggie, was not ill as she had feared—the truth was far more disturbing.
For weeks, Reggie had refused food, ignoring even his favorite rabbit. Instead, he stretched along Cassandra’s body each night, curling close as she slept. She believed it was affection, a sign of their deepening bond. But the vet’s expression told her otherwise.
Dr. Hanson explained that pythons fast when preparing for a large meal. Reggie wasn’t sick—he was sizing Cassandra up. The nightly stretching was not comfort, but a predator assessing its prey.
Cassandra was stunned. She had thought Reggie was her loyal companion, but his instincts told a different story. Dr. Hanson urged her to reconsider letting the snake share her bed, warning that such behavior was dangerously abnormal.
Torn between love and fear, Cassandra realized the risk was too great. With tears in her eyes, she contacted a rescue center, ensuring Reggie would find a safe, suitable home. Saying goodbye, she stroked him one last time—heartbroken, but alive.
