Unwelcome Visitor

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

We had thunderstorms tonight. Haley reacts very poorly to thunderstorms so a few weeks ago his vet prescribed Trazadone to help him get through these storms. I gave him a pill about an hour before the storms were to hit. Haley got agitated about the time they hit. The pills have worked quite well before so I thought he may need to go potty (the symptoms are the same). It was raining so I put his raincoat on him and put mine on and out we went to the back porch. I opened the screen door to the outside; Haley went out and as I looked to step down I saw THE BIGGEST BLACK SNAKE that I have ever seen! I screamed for Otis who was nearby in the kitchen. I was afraid that Haley would get bitten by the snake because he was trying to get too close to it. Otis came out and I got Haley into the garage while Otis caught the snake and relocated it. We do not kill black snakes because they eat rodents. After the snake was gone Haley and I went back to the house and he was calm even though it was thundering. I think Haley heard, smelled or somehow sensed that the snake was outside the house and was trying alert us to it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

OMD, I would have died. THANK YOU for not posting a picture of it!!!! I'm glad Haley wasn't bitten. I do think he sensed the presence of that-which-shall-not-be-named and was trying to tell you. Good boy, Haley! 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I wasn't able to get a picture of it. I was to busy with Haley and my smartphone was inside. Otis was dissapointed that there was no photo.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Yes, I am sure Haley smelled it.  Both Roo and Tigger have been to snake avoidance training and they clearly avoid them by smell. 

Karen in our house snakes are called shoes as to avoid that othe word!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My DD goes crazy if anyone says the word. My grandson calls them "you know whats", lol. 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

The other day Haley was tracking something around the outside of my house. I wonder if it was "blackie". His behavior was exactly the same after Otis relocated it.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Anne, I would move. LOL We are battling a garter snake that decided to take up residence under my bushes out front. Fudge is beside herself that she can't quite reach it. I am so glad Haley did not get hurt and that the snake has been relocated. Tell it to go south for the summer. 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

If "blackie" gets relocated again it will be in a closed container in the back of the pickup truck and a 3 mile ride down the road and across the river. Hope Fudge stays frustrated. : )

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I was cringing just reading about the "you know what"! Glad everything turned out okay.

Years ago, we moved in to our new house in the country on a Sunday afternoon and my husband left for a week-long business trip Monday morning, leaving me with a two year old and tons of moving boxes. Tuesday morning, on our way out the door, we discovered a huge snake in the planter box between the door and my car and that night I discovered a mouse in the kitchen cabinet. My husband was not amused by my crying phone call demanding that we move back to the city!!!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I put up with a lot of things living in the country. I would not trade to move back to the city. Did you stay in the country?

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Oh yes! Been a country girl for 34 years - and counting!!!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

: )

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Luckily, there are no black snakes in Virginia that are venomous. Haley would not have been harmed even if he was bitten. In fact, I do think the snake would even be able to draw blood because of our doodle's hair. Even if the snake made contact with the skin, it would only look like needle marks and wouldn't bleed that much.

I keep a boa constrictor and study snakes, so I know a little bit, lol. The poor thing must have been scared and been a hassle to relocate, though.

Here is a link of your native species: http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/snakes/snakes...