Fear

I don't have a problem with snakes. I hadn't held one until a few weeks ago when Tabitha wanted to hold one but she wanted me to do it first. I don't want her to have irrational fears so, with a reasonable level of reluctance, I held the snake. It didn't feel like I anticipated, and the way its whole body clenches when it tries to move is pretty weird, but I found it quite relaxing overall.

Now Tabitha loves snakes, and she wants to hold them all. Today she got to hold this beautiful creature (I forget what breed it was but apparently they're quite rare and valuable) and I think she would have happily kept it.

She was also able to hold a tarantula for the first time. Luckily I didn't have to do that first. I don't dislike spiders but given the choice I would always prefer not to have them on me.