Adventures in Country Living

Warning:  If you are squeamish about

creepy crawlie things - please skip this post!

Surprise Visitor

March seems to have come in like a lamb in these parts.  I am so thankful.  The past few winters have come very close to pushing me over the edge.  In fact, the weather today was so nice that I opened all the windows to thoroughly air the house while I went about my usual housekeeping routine.  Please note that we do not have screens on our windows.

I was upstairs vacuuming when I heard Bear barking.  I called down and told him to hush, it was just the Hoover making all the noise.  He uncharacteristically ignored me and it took a few seconds longer for me to realiz that I was hearing his "danger" bark.  I don't know about other dogs, but Bear has several different, distinctive "barks" and "growls".  And being his "momma" I realized when he was a puppy that if I paid attention, I could tell what different vocalizations meant.  Now, we can communicate as long as I am within hearing distance.

Heart pounding, I shut off the sweeper and raced downstairs.  I reached the bottom of the stairs and Bear jumped in front of me - blocking my path while he continued to bark.  I stroked his head and told him what a good boy he is as I looked around to see what the "danger" was. 

Several minutes passed while I stood on the bottom stair, listening to Bear growl and trying to ascertain what the problem was.  I didn't smell a gas leak, the house wasn't on fire, Bear would most certainly have cornered an intruder - I was at a loss.  But I trust my dog and didn't move. 

Suddenly, Bear leaned into me - trying to push me back up the stairs.  And that's when I saw it.  Slowly slithering towards me without a care in the world.  Bear's fur stood straight up on his neck.  He let out a most ferocious growl and then attacked.  I seized the opportunity to run into the family room and grab a fireplace end iron.

Bear and I swiftly disposed of the intruder - who apparently came in through one of the windows I had opened earlier.  Once it was dead, I used the fireplace shovel to carry it outside.  I left it on the patio for the Photographer to properly dispose of when he came home.  I thought it was a copperhead.  Pierce says he believes it is a juvenile rat snake - who apparently look like copperheads when young as a form of defense against predators.

They are both in shock that I managed to not have a heart attack in the process of killing the snake.  I am terrified of them!  I realize they play a vital role in the ecosystem and am fine with them as long as they stay out back and out of sight.  But they are not allowed in my house!  If one of the boys had been home, my visitor would have been gently relocated - but they weren't here and there is no way I am going to pick up a live snake!  It may as well have been an anaconda as far as I am concerned.

The windows are now shut tight again and I am seriously debating whether to purchase screens.  Bear, of course, is my hero yet again.  He received a huge soup bone along with cuddles and high praise for his actions.  I truly don't know what I would do without him.