I stayed home today from taking Mike to Portland so I could attack this house and get it clean. I was out on the patio looking out into the yard and thanking God for such a nice day and I see Bentley in the field trotting toward the house. He had this long thin big object in his mouth. At first, I thought it was some sort of a rope- but then he stopped and flung it high into the air and caught it. He was closer to the house by this time- middle of our backyard and I see this snake in his mouth! Holy smokes! It wasn’t a tiny snake either.
I ran outside and grabbed a small shovel and a deep bucket (I hate snakes) he threw the snake up again- and missed it- and it bit him! He squealed- and backed away and I could see by this body language he was going in for the kill. I got there and picked the snake up with the shovel and dropped it into a bucket.
He was bleeding pretty badly and limping, so snake in a bucket and kitty in a towel went off to the vet. I looked at the snake and the pattern looked like a rattlesnake, but thankfully no rattle on the end of the tail. Turns out it was a gopher snake. They are aggressive but not venomous.
He will be okay- he got a shot and they cleaned his wound and said to keep him quiet for a few days- which will be impossible to do but I will try.
My cats have caught snakes before, but they were garter snakes nothing else. I was afraid it was some sort of exotic snake that escaped. I don’t do snakes. I did go to a local river park and release the snake off the trail far away from where the public likes to hang-out. It started to come after me when I shook it out of the bucket, but I stamped my feet and it took off into the underbrush.
Silly kitty! Gave me quite the scare!
My mother always said that bravery was being afraid of something but doing it anyhow. Mary Anne, you are brave! Afraid of snakes and still getting it into a bucket and off to the vet – cat, bucket, snake, and all. You are quite the heroine. Go Mary Anne!
LOL I was hanging onto that bucket with one hand and driving. I did NOT want that snake loose in my car! Although I am sure Sir Bentley would have dispatched it in fine style.
OMG, I’m with you! I hate snakes! Bravo Maryanne! Thank God Bentley is fine! The Vet should have a room with your name on it! Hahahahahaha! Keeping you in prayer!
Joann, I’m not sure, but I think I might have paid for his new car this year! *G* Mike keeps saying, I just need to take a tent and sleeping bag and camp out in the parking lot- LOL
I swear, all snakes look like rattlers to me. Bucket and shovel, Very Brave!
Oh dear, in the past, I used just a shovel. Kind neighbors asked me to call if I need their bravery to export a snake. Next time, I intend to take them up on their offer!
That was a close call for Bentley. Maybe it will cure him of tackling snakes, though I doubt it. He’s a brave fellow. But I feel for the snake, too. He was just minding his own business and was attacked by a tiger. No wonder he was angry enough to go after you, too. I’m glad you let him go afterward.