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Post by cbk on May 29, 2013 5:34:41 GMT -5
About 4:15AM my old Lab, Cougar, started barking. He kept it up for a LONG time. Since we live in the woods I didn't think too much about it. But around about 5:30 AM he was still barking, and I was now fully awake. I went out to call him but as I looked down off of the tall deck I was on I thought I saw something move. So back inside for the flashlight. When I focused the light on the ground there was a HUGE timber rattler. Cougar was circling cautiously. I didn't really want him to try to kill it, as he's done with so many other snakes. He's getting old and isn't as fast as he once was. So I woke my son, the ex police officer. Scared the stew out of him as he was in the middle of a dream about falling elevators. I mean, how many times in a man's life does his Mom say, Wake up, get your gun, and kill this snake? He really jumped up I must say that. Pistol came out, got loaded, and as I illuminated the curled snake, who was still intent on Cougar, BLAM! Ole dead eye shot the head right off. Cougar headed for the woods. Whether it was in fright, or disgust that his hunting had been thwarted, I don't know. He'll come back eventually. Number three son went to tell his wife and kids what the loud noise was, but they didn't even wake up. Guess they have gotten used to living in Redneck ville where gun shots aren't that un common. When it's light enough we'll take some pictures and measure the thing.
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Post by jb on May 29, 2013 8:26:33 GMT -5
Same thing in urban areas!  |
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Post by Tommy Thompson on May 29, 2013 11:16:26 GMT -5
now that's scary. We recently killed a copperhead. I don't like snakes.
wow...I just had a thought... I was under your house last week...hmmmm
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Post by cbk on May 29, 2013 14:56:42 GMT -5
Well, Tommy you can relax. In the full light of day it turned out to be a rat snake. However, it is BIG. Probably would have sent you levitating out from under the house very quickly. ;D Cougar is ignoring it. I guess his usual parade with the dead snake doesn't apply if it's killed by one of his humans.
Our Cook's man came out to do the monthly spray job. He's a tall, big fellow. But he doesn't like snakes. All he could say was, WOW!
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Post by Steve Turner on May 30, 2013 14:31:15 GMT -5
Maybe it's just a year for snakes. I've seen more flat snakes on roads this year than ever before. Last evening I walked outside and found a lot of the deer netting pulled off our tomato plants. There was a snake wrapped-up in it. We pulled the netting + snake off and I put it out in the yard. This morning, I found that the snake had somehow move that pile of netting about 30ft from where it was. Shortly after that, I found another 6 footer under the patio steps. That one didn't like wasp and hornet spray. These snakes must leave a smell... our dog put on his emergency brakes when he got close to tomato plants and kept a wide distance from that area. <G>
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Post by cbk on May 30, 2013 15:11:33 GMT -5
Steve, you dog is smarter than my Lab. Cougar finds snakes irresistible. It took him three bites to learn his technique, but he is good. I just worry that his age will betray him and he'll get snake bit again. The first time he got nailed his head looked like a balloon. I thought that might discourage him but the vet said, no way! And he was right. I've seen Cougar prancing around with huge snakes that he's killed. Won't let me get near them to throw them into the trash for at least two days. But this one he's ignoring. I guess it doesn't count if he doesn't actually do the killing. ;D
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Post by jerrycsmith on May 30, 2013 15:42:28 GMT -5
This is what happens when we purposely de-volve a species. I doubt that his (and all dogs') ancestors, the Grey Wolf, would be that genetically recessive.
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Post by jerrycsmith on May 30, 2013 15:42:51 GMT -5
This is what happens when we purposely de-volve a species. I doubt that his (and all dogs') ancestors, the Grey Wolf, would be that genetically recessive.
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Post by Steve Turner on May 30, 2013 16:21:36 GMT -5
We had a Black Lab mix that was a dumb as at rock. He got bit twice... his head swelled up like a melon both times. The vet made a couple of car payments, I am sure. I hate to say it, but that was the stupidest dog I have ever seen. He just went away and we never saw him again.....
Yes, Jerry, THAT dog had devolved! (You can't fix stupid!)
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Post by jerrycsmith on May 30, 2013 17:45:23 GMT -5
Probably looking for a place with less snakes; maybe he wasn't quite as stupid as we think.
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Post by jb on Jun 6, 2013 8:49:16 GMT -5
Probably looking for a place with less snakes; maybe he wasn't quite as stupid as we think. LOL!!!!!! |
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Post by cbk on Jun 6, 2013 9:49:47 GMT -5
Speaking of wolves, I once got to pet a wolf. She was a very friendly lady. Belonged to a man who had a guard dog company. He had bred her several times to a German Shepherd. Produce VERY aggressive guard dogs. The gentleman said that the wolf/Shepherd cross was much more dangerous than a straight wolf. I wouldn't advise keeping a wolf as a pet though because they have to be handled by people who know about wild animals. But still it was a thrill to actually be able to touch such a beautiful animal.....she gave me a "puppy" kiss too.
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