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Balance of Nature
#7857775
06/01/20 09:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874
218 Bee
OP
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874 |
After an abnormally slow start to snake season around here, things got decidedly warmer this morning. Jane had walked out front of the house and all three dogs had followed her. The sound of her squalling at the dogs rocketed me out of my chair, grabbing a pistol as I headed out the front door. The dry, hollow buzz of a diamondback met me as soon as I got outside...Jan yelled that the snake was under a big holly next to the sidewalk. Jake (our big German Shorthair and recent "snake avoidance training" graduate) had evidently decided that Jane was too close to the snake he smelled and dove into the fight face first. We got the dogs herded back into safety and checked Jake (yep, at least one fang strike on the bridge of his nose). While Jane organized a leash and my truck keys for the run to take Jake into town to the vet, I mounted a very localized "search and destroy" mission. Since that first determined buzz, the rattler had gone quiet...a silence that was certainly NOT helpful in locating him. I wound up taking a leaf rake and dragging piles of leaves and mulch out of the landscaping before bringing my little "friend" out into the open. Two rounds of .45 Colt loaded with 7 1/2s brought the drama to a close...32 inches, 7 and a button. A snakebit dog. A thankfully un-snakebit wife. Since we finished our retirement home and moved in six years ago, we've killed upwards of 30 diamondbacks on the place (most of them fairly close to the house as that's where we spend the most time). Had six dogs bitten; one fatally. Here on THF, I've read impassioned missives about "live and let live" and "they're only acting on instinct"...and I can accept both points of view from both an academic and a moral perspective. Snakes are only doing what snakes know how to do; they operate on instinct. Jake got in the middle of this snake not because of some anthropomorphic sense of chivalry; instinct drove him to react as he did. Well, boys and girls, this old roughneck tends to act on instinct when it comes to venomous snakes as well. Any threat, reptilian or otherwise, to myself or my family (and you better believe that the dogs are family!) gets dealt with in the most basic, most brutal and most instinctual manner I can muster. Others are free to do as they please...but them's the cards I'm holdin'. Mark
Last edited by 218 Bee; 06/01/20 10:20 PM.
"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7857777
06/01/20 09:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,203
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,203 |
I'll start taking photos with a shovel beside them dead snakes.
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7857782
06/01/20 09:24 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,865
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,865 |
yep, I believe in live and let live to the point when there are consequences that start to invade on my family and I right to live. Well done
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7857803
06/01/20 09:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 922
TrackQuack
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 922 |
reads like a Louis L'Amour novel, hope your dog recovers well
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7857917
06/01/20 11:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,027
Slick Head
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,027 |
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7857936
06/02/20 12:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 881
RANGERRONG
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 881 |
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: Slick Head]
#7857950
06/02/20 12:32 AM
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 19,132
TCM3
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 19,132 |
Do not forget to entertain strangers, For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels Hebrews 13:2 (R-TX)
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: Slick Head]
#7857966
06/02/20 12:37 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874
218 Bee
OP
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OP
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Posts: 874 |
Thanks to everyone for the concern. Big Jake is sick but he's gonna be alright. His body weight (68 lbs) coupled with the rattlesnake vaccine he carries kept this from being any worse. He'll be on meds here at the house for the next week or so and I expect he'll be feeling pretty puny around here for several days. He's currently sleeping on the couch in the office, feeling pretty sorry for himself... Before: After:
"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858052
06/02/20 01:53 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,604
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,604 |
Glad to hear your pooch is getting along alright.
Nothing wrong with killing any snake for a reason. You certainly had plenty of reason. However, I would like to know more about that fine looking Ruger in the photo. I know your a man of fine taste in firearms. Do tell.
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858063
06/02/20 02:02 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874
218 Bee
OP
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874 |
That's one of my Cowboy Action shooters from 20+ years ago. A 4 5/8" Ruger Bisley Vaquero in .45 Colt. This one lives in the house; it's mate rides on my hip every time I'm in the pasture and don't have something louder in immediate reach!
Mark
"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858087
06/02/20 02:29 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,604
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,604 |
Beautiful sidearm. I always enjoy seeing parts of your gun collection.
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858179
06/02/20 04:39 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,176
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,176 |
I get that snakes are needed as part of our healthy ecosystem, but I still kill every venomous snake I see. I think they cause more damage to humanity, than they provide to our ecosystem. There are plenty of non-venomous snakes that will fill their roll in nature.
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858216
06/02/20 09:55 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,750
texfork
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,750 |
I'm glad all turned out well and I hope for a fast recovery for your pup .
Prayer is the "ultimate" wireless connection .
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858224
06/02/20 10:24 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,917
Stub
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,917 |
I can see why and I would be feeling puny too. Get better Jake Big Jake is sick. I expect he'll be feeling pretty puny around here for several days. Before: After:
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858304
06/02/20 12:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,865
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,865 |
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: ntxtrapper]
#7858329
06/02/20 01:10 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,166
westtexaswatkins
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,166 |
I get that snakes are needed as part of our healthy ecosystem, but I still kill every venomous snake I see. I think they cause more damage to humanity, than they provide to our ecosystem. There are plenty of non-venomous snakes that will fill their roll in nature.
Yep, me too
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858357
06/02/20 01:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,792
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,792 |
Sorry to hear about your dog no judgement here when protecting your family and pets. I believe it all balances out with some taking snakes and some relocating. They do have a place in nature and it's your choice on what to do with them when they are in your yard. Glad to hear no one else was bitten.
Nice pistol as well, I had one but sold it several years ago, I like the Bisleys.
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858615
06/02/20 05:59 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,114
Flashprism
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,114 |
An ardent supporter of our eco system. Let every non venomous snake pass however having a love one or myself succumb to the horrible consequences of a natural snake bite is not part of my tolerance and or understanding. Some of our critics would probably nurture Corona Virus specimens as this is part of our natural environment as well. If the science advances enough maybe we can release some T Rexes and or sabre tooth tigers in our national parks. Would make summer vacation trips a lot more interesting
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858643
06/02/20 06:24 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874
218 Bee
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874 |
I hear ya, Flash. Personally (in my deepest, darkest Luddite soul) I'm of the opinion that our species quit advancing once we got the "survival of the fittest" thing pretty well licked. A couple of generations of air-conditioned living has watered down our DNA into some of the timid, skinny-jeaned souls I see on TV these days. When I bother to turn on the TV, that is...
"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858727
06/02/20 07:39 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,354
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,354 |
Poor pup. Hope he heals up soon.
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858776
06/02/20 08:26 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,271
Biscuit
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,271 |
Great story - thanks for sharing. Really hope Jake heals up soon
Last edited by Thekitch; 06/02/20 08:26 PM.
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858861
06/02/20 09:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,039
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,039 |
Glad he is ok - lost our 2 year old Shepherd a few years back - came home and he was laying dead in the driveway - rattler got him - it was a sad sad day
You can't fix stupid
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858874
06/02/20 10:07 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,460
redhaze
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,460 |
Glad Jake is there! He did "good"!
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: tlk]
#7858878
06/02/20 10:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874
218 Bee
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874 |
Glad he is ok - lost our 2 year old Shepherd a few years back - came home and he was laying dead in the driveway - rattler got him - it was a sad sad day Sorry to hear about your Shepherd pup, TLK; that's awful. We lost our patriarch Jack Russell in 2016 right here in our backyard just like that. He was old, blind and deaf...and that's a rotten combination if you're trying to avoid snakebite. For anyone that's interested: Jake is doing much better today. The swelling is reducing and he's not in as much pain. That's the good news. The bad news is that he's leaking hemolyzed fluid all over the house. It doesn't bother him any...but we're staying busy cleaning up after him! Mark
"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
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Re: Balance of Nature
[Re: 218 Bee]
#7858910
06/02/20 11:11 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,865
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,865 |
glad Jake is improving ... our female German Shepard got struck 2-3 times on her cheek and side of her neck by about a 3 footer. Called the vet and he asked where she was bitten, when I told him head and neck, he said she will be fine, no need to bring her in ... but like you mentioned, the leaking fluid makes a mess ... and next will be rotting flesh around the wounds ... but in time, it grows back including the hair.
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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