Hearing one of the small dogs barking at the front of the house, I opened the door to reprimand the dog for being noisy, and then found the dog had a reason for barking…. Just there, right at the front door, was a snake, with it’s head reared.  The snake was perhaps about three feet long, although not very large in body circumference.  I had one small dog standiing on the other side of the snake barking at it, and two other small dogs moving about close to the snake, but apparently not aware of it.  And the snake was only a couple of feet from me also!  Panic! 

Not knowing what type of snake it was, or if it was dangerous, I was anxious to gather the dogs and get them away from the snake.  I managed to get the dogs inside and get the door shut between us and the snake.   After a few moments, I opened the door and looked again – yep, it was still there.  I was willing the snake to go away.

When I looked again, shortly afterwards, the snake was gone.  But instead of that being a relief, I was left wondering where it was?  I kept the dogs inside for a while, and also observed them for any possible symptoms, not knowing if they may have been bitten before I had seen the snake.

The pets were not displaying any symptoms, and the snake had not reappeared.

Definitely Gratitude for our safety with the snake encounter. 

Although I live on a rural property, this is the first time I have seen and experienced a snake near the house.  Snakes may have been around, but I haven’t seen them, so it is also a good reminder to be a little cautious.  And despite this little adrenalin-rush-causing episode, the wonderful environment and lifestyle on rural acreage is definitely deserving of lots of Gratitude.

In Gratitude,

Julie