tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6310545094908978263.post1208222862498740218..comments2023-06-15T02:14:19.395-06:00Comments on Kaibab Bernese Mountain Dogs: Rattlesnakes and Dogs and Snow and PerspectiveUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6310545094908978263.post-90534698542503280562009-12-15T11:03:31.406-07:002009-12-15T11:03:31.406-07:00from Aesop's Fables Translated by George Fyler...from Aesop's Fables Translated by George Fyler Townsend <br />"The Farmer and the Snake<br />ONE WINTER a Farmer found a Snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had compassion on it, and taking it up, placed it in his bosom. The Snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and resuming its natural instincts, bit its benefactor, inflicting on him a mortal wound. "Oh," cried the Farmer with his last breath, "I am rightly served for pitying a scoundrel."<br /><br />The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful."<br /><br />And a note for Marianne: Having lived much of my youth in an area populated by both two and non-legged rattlesnakes may I offer a warning? Rattlesnakes are an amazingly social lot (they like each other's company anyway) and where there is one there may be at least a mate. When you have dispatched your visiting rattlesnake bury it quickly but carefully--the venom is still potent and the muscle reflexes even after death will make the severed head snap and strike. Do not bury it on your property as the smell will draw its friends. My personal weapon of choice in dealing with rattlesnakes is a hard back rake to pin it near the head (pitch fork tines are too long--stick in the ground and leave enough space to slither away), then an ax specially mounted on a long handle to finish the job. The snakes should have all gone to sleep at this time of year, however, so no worries til spring!Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098711889368305094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6310545094908978263.post-79312938355636171682009-12-12T23:29:05.895-07:002009-12-12T23:29:05.895-07:00Ha..yes..rattlesnakes. How does that saying go ~ ...Ha..yes..rattlesnakes. How does that saying go ~ first bite, shame on it ~ second bite, shame on me...I got too close :( <br /><br />Now, a Different Snake Story: My neighbor chases a rattlesnake into MY yard. He does come to my door w/a pitchfork in his hand...(I'm thinking..does he want to do some yard work??) no..just informing me he chased a rattlesnake into my yard. Humm...hubby is not home..must NOT have a rattlesnake in my yard, I have a BMD ! This may be the snake's environment..but it is also MINE & I don't have toxic venom. Well.. I may have something... Now the snake no longer needs its rattleMariannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13400580426697442341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6310545094908978263.post-17578076407821705772009-12-12T19:51:05.732-07:002009-12-12T19:51:05.732-07:00Wow, Mary Ann... That was extremely relevant in my...Wow, Mary Ann... That was extremely relevant in my life at the moment... I might have to print that whole rattlesnake paragraph and post it on the bathroom mirror as a constant reminder... Meanwhile, I just ignore the whole rattlesnake problem and focus on our dear 'Manda, her rowdy sisters, and my two boys anticipating Christmas and a birthday... Fortunately, the rattlesnakes aren't pursuing me at the moment so I can do that!Ptolemyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01908219191508005882noreply@blogger.com