While I never claimed to be an expert (or even a novice) on this topic; I do believe my grandfather and grandmother (the dynamic duo) just saved my life!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think they just protected all of us (women, children, and grandchildren) from a 5-foot diamond back rattle snake! I think I see diamonds and it had a rattle, although you couldn’t quite hear it over my piercing screams.
There we stood… Like 10 of us and counting (including CoCo), standing around being useless, running, sweating, (I’m pretty sure there was muffled swearing) and screaming like maniacs. I was definitely screaming at the top of my lungs, safely 50 yards away, while grandma wielded a pitchfork and granddad revved a chainsaw (well, he called it a pole saw but it totally looked like a skinny chainsaw!) I felt lightheaded, and almost fainted twice!
And …Don’t even get me started on the “good Sumaritan” who “saw the crowd, figured something was wrong, and pulled into the yard to help us”, and after seeing my grandfather wrestling with the massive snake, turned on his heels and ran at top speed through our yard! (no lie… he passed me) Thanks for nothin’!
And… Don’t even get me started on my mom grabbing me and pushing me towards the snake while it was headless and wriggling on the pitchfork! (traumatic and NOT funny at all!)
Tracey Barton, my expert in all things animal, weighed in on the situation and I quote…
“It is a corn snake. Some call it a rat snake…most likely due to its diet. Which do you prefer in your zone? Rats carry and spread disease. Snakes eat rats, mice, and other rodents…not to mention other things.”
Well, there you have it! I stand corrected, and I’m still horrified at the memory of our dearly departed! May he rest in peace!
#HappyFathersDay
😧 Jules
