Sometimes local legends are sports heroes. They can be community leaders who make their mark through accomplishments, grand or small. Legends can also be contributors.
Often they are uniquely different from everyone else. Always, they make a difference to the lives of others.
In the case of a 14-foot long male Burmese python named Thing, he was all of the above – thrilling and making friends with thousands, including children and seniors, over a period of almost two decades.
Thing passed away in Olds on Sept. 24 at the age of 19. He was the beloved companion and friend to 42-year-old Dean Harper, whose home-based business, Wrappin About Reptiles, has earned special acclaim in Olds and throughout Western Canada since 1995.
From the moment Thing hatched from an egg as a 16-inch baby or hatchling (herpetologists
in the scientific community refer to baby snakes from live birth as neonates), until he grew to be a 14-foot long “gentle giant”, he forged a special bond with not only Harper but to the thousands who braved any and all stereotyped fears over reptiles.
“He was my best friend. He knew all of my deepest and darkest secrets. He was always there for me,” said Harper. “Some people might say, ‘He was just a snake', just like they would for a dog or a cat. But I had the same kind of attachment for him as long as I had him. He would sit on my lap while I was watching television, just like a cat or a dog.”
For nearly two decades Thing was the star educational attraction among his collection of between 150 and 200 reptiles, amphibians and arachnids. He travelled to big cities and remote communities to teach humans. Thing would thrill countless school children at exhibitions. He would be taken to hospitals, army bases and First Nation reserves. He would always leave his audiences in awe. Like many of the other creatures in Harper's collection, Thing even made television appearances.
Most of all, Thing has an uncanny knack of relaxing humans, especially those who had long-held fears about reptiles.
“You could feel him relax more knowing that person was scared. He was trying to help them,” said Harper, adding his friend also had a special bond with his wife Maureen and three children. “He (Thing) was here first. They all got to know him.”
Thing's passing comes as Harper is seriously contemplating closing his business.
“There are multiple reasons. I can't quite put my finger on it,” said Harper of his thoughts about shutting the doors of Wrappin About Reptiles, now a revered local institution. “I think it may be time to take a break and come back refreshed or take a break and be done.
“I have not 100 per cent decided to shut the business down,” he added. “I have several friends and family members telling me not to.”
But for now Harper will mourn the passing of Thing. He said Thing could still play an important future part in his presentations and exhibitions as he is considering mounting his remains.
“In some form he will still be used for educational purposes,” said Harper.
