We had more excitement in the kennel building today. Taya and I were in the house shortly before I had to get ready for work. Nexus, Owl, and Viljo were outside. All was quiet until I heard The Noise, aka the dachshunds are after something again. Leaving Taya inside, I ran out. There was a black snake curled up on the floor in the kennel building. Nexus was close by in a kennel run but he did not have access to the snake, he was just barking like crazy. I picked Viljo up and took him to the house. I did not want Viljo and Owl to squabble over a snake. When I came back, Owl was darting in on the snake who was striking back at Owl. Black snakes are not harmful but neither are they timid. I like them and would just as soon have gotten this one and taken it into the woods. I have done it before.
Owl, however, had other ideas. When I was three feet away, he rushed in and took hold of it and began shaking it like crazy. I was really hoping that he would not let go and fling it onto me! I have my limits. But no, he ran with it out a dog door and continued shaking and biting it outside.
Owl, however, had other ideas. When I was three feet away, he rushed in and took hold of it and began shaking it like crazy. I was really hoping that he would not let go and fling it onto me! I have my limits. But no, he ran with it out a dog door and continued shaking and biting it outside.
I was interested in Taya's reaction to all this so I went to get her. I kept her on the other side of the fence but she was not put off by the barking and behavior of Owl or Nexus or by the snake.
Why this snake came into a room with three dogs is a mystery but it obviously was not afraid of them. At least now it will not be living in or under the building someplace to keep the dogs hunting for it for days.
Owl, of course, was in seventh heaven. He stood guard over the snake for awhile afterward but I couldn't give him much time to do it.
Owl, of course, was in seventh heaven. He stood guard over the snake for awhile afterward but I couldn't give him much time to do it.
I have stretched the snake out to give some perspective on size. It was an immature black snake. The black snake is the state snake of Ohio. They are beneficial to farmers and ranchers for killing rats and mice. When possible, I take these snakes before the dogs can get them and relocate them down the road and into the woods. I don't need them myself since Kiki the (formerly stray) cat moved in.
