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Familiars are spirits. The animal thing is based on the idea that demons would take the form of animals when required. But your familiar spirit is a spirit that helps you 3nodding

I performed a spell to make my pet snake into my familliar. It went rather well. This spell was about connecting her spirit to mine from now until the end of her days. I did this shortly after I got her and our relationship is still strong.

I had a bearded dragon for 7 years I considered to be my familiar, he died a year ago due to illness. I kept his body, I was never really sure what to do after he died.

It's been in a mini fridge for the past year. (Not one I keep food in I should add... although I'm not sure having a fridge for dead animals is any better... sweatdrop )

Quick explanation on that:
I have mentioned my many reptiles previously
It's because my sister on and off lives with me, she runs a reptile educational business and keep the majority of her animals at my house. Since she takes in a lot of rescue animals that are near death- we end up with dead animals more then most people probably do.
For lack of a more professional title... I'm an 'artist'. (I'm a free lance bum) So I have been dabbling in taxidermy/ articulating skeletons. It's pretty tricky though, there's a lot of ways you can accidentally mess up a skeleton apparently, especially small fragile reptiles.

I had originally wanted to take my bearded dragon (His name is/was Jafar) to a place that did professional taxidermy. It cost a lot of money and my sister luckily talked me out of it (I was too emotional to make a serious financial decision at that time.) But after a week or so you can't freeze dry a lizard, so my only preservation option left is articulating the bones.

I know it's what he would have wanted, he helped educate children and the general public so people wouldn't fear reptiles. I think he would appreciate being articulated if he was still aiding the cause to help fellow reptiles. I've just been so nervous that I will mess the skeleton up. It's really a hit or miss operation.

It probably sounds really gross/ serial killer esc, but I'm really use to opening the fridge and seeing him there now. Just not sure how I should proceed, I know I can't have him in there forever. Although I must admit he is damn well preserved.

(I'm a closet weirdo.... I don't exactly share about the bodies in my fridge or my roadside taxidermy endeavors. It's the ones that look normal that you got to look out for.)

I would love to hear specifics on this. I have been thinking of a snake for a familiar. I'd call it Satan! smile Have the animals I feed Satan be ritual sacrifices. Also, use a bit of blood letting to charge a sigil every time I feed the snake. That's the idea at least. Not sure if my apartment complex allows for snakes.

Oooh, symbolic death. yum

Well, any information you can share or advice would be welcomed. I've got the go ahead to get a snake.