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Shilohs first encounter with a copperhead

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S

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I almost had a heart attack last night. Here in N.C. we got really bad thunderstorms last night. I took Shiloh out around 8 pm before the storms got started. He is pulling and tugging towards the stand we keep our trash cans in. I am about 4 feet away and I see a head stick up and Shilohs jumps back and bays. Like an idiot, I jump between Shiloh and the snake. Then I realize it's a copperhead! In one fail swoop, I lean over (the copperhead) grab Shiloh and sling him under my arm and run like the devil is chasing me!!! I was so scared. My husband immediately went outside and couldn't find the snake and then he proceeds to chew me out for jumping between the dog and a copperhead. I'd do it again!! I honestly feel like I should protect him. I think a 140 pound woman can take a snake bite better than a 30 pound dog. What do you guys think? I told my husband as soon as I got to work I was going to log on here and ask other opinions.

My sisters 100 pound lab was bitten by a copperhead last year and was at the vet for 2 days.

Am I being stupid?
 
B

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#2 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

I think it was sheer instinct to protect your dog. They are like our children and I think you would do that for your child as well. Now do I think it was smart? Not necessarily, but you and I both know you didn't have time to think...simply react.
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

My husband found (2) baby copperheads a couple of hours ago in the same place. I can't beleive they are that close to our house!

He hasn't seen the Mom snake, just the babies. I asked him if he killed them and he said no.

I hate snakes!!!
 
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#8 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

Originally Posted By: Shilohs MomMy husband found (2) baby copperheads a couple of hours ago in the same place.

I asked him if he killed them and he said no.

I hate snakes!!!
Click to expand...
He said 'NO'?????
I hate snakes too. In our house that would grounds for divorce.

And Kudos to you for protecting your baby!
 
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S

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

I have never seen so many snakes as I have this year.

Most of them have been the black racers, king snakes, etc. but I still don't like getting that close.

I would never harm another creature, even a snake, unless it's after my baby!
 
T

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#10 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

I don't know that it was the smartest move -- but it was a heartfelt one, and one I'm sure I would've made, too.

On another forum I belong to, a member's dog was recently bit by a snake. They didn't know he'd been bitten and couldn't figure out why he was limping. They took him to the vet, but it was too late to administer the anti-venum. (there's a 6-hour window). The dog passed away the next day, despite the best vet efforts.

I'm SO glad I haven't seen snakes around here, or even where we run...but we can't let JoJo beyond our fence without a leash (she'd catch and a scent and that'd be it).

Can animal control set some humane snake traps and relocate them to someplace away from your house??
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #11 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

My next door neighbor loves snakes. He told my husband not to kill them that he would trap them and take them far out into the woods.

This same guy picked up a black snake and just carried to the woods and gently laid it down. Ugh! I know every creature is here for a reason but, snakes just give me the creeps!

My sisters dog that was bit by the copperhead last year was very lucky. Their 3 year old was in his sandbox and the copperhead was between him and the dog. The dog just grabbed it and it bit him on the mouth. It was hanging on his bottom lip!! My sister freaked and the snake let go and she immediately went to the emergency vet. The vet is 30 minutes away and his head was so swollen when they got him there, he couldn't swallow. That's the reason they kept him so long at the vet. I would feel so horrible if my little beagle boy got bitten. I don't know what I was thinking, other than bite me but not him. Actually, the snake wasn't coiled up like it was ready to strike, it was just kinda laying there. I made it from the driveway to the front door in 4 seconds!
 
M

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#13 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

Originally Posted By: Shilohs MomI have never seen so many snakes as I have this year.

Most of them have been the black racers, king snakes, etc. but I still don't like getting that close.

I would never harm another creature, even a snake, unless it's after my baby!
Click to expand...

King snakes tend to keep venomous snakes at bay so they are your friend, if you have a king snake, be kind to him. Sadly, that window of opportunity is short and once bitten, a successful outcome is not always possible. Babies snakes are worse than adults in that they have just as deadly venom but have not yet learned how to regulate how much to venom inject and so often give a full load where a non-lethal bit would suffice. I like you think twice before harming another living creature but where innocent children may be at risk I might draw the line. Snake avoidance class is a simple way to teach any dog, typically an hunting dogs, but any dog who is out and about where they might encounter snakes to <span style="font-weight: bold"> stay away </span> from those snakes, to <span style="font-weight: bold"> keep away </span> and to <span style="font-weight: bold"> get away </span> any snake. That protects good snakes, and most snakes are good taking varmints like mice and such, and the dog from those few snakes that are venomous. The cost for snake avoidance classes are less than $100.00 the cost for vet treatment of a bitten canine can run over $1000.00 and may not have a positive outcome. As I learned reading Poor Richard's Almanac, <span style="text-decoration: underline">an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!</span>
 
K

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#14 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

All my little grey cells say no, no, no to getting in front of a snake (or any threat). But my heart would say, yes, yes, yes, and win out. So, put me in the I shouldn't but I would column.
 
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#15 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

Originally Posted By: BoulderBeaglesAll my little grey cells say no, no, no to getting in front of a snake (or any threat). But my heart would say, yes, yes, yes, and win out. So, put me in the I shouldn't but I would column.
Click to expand...
I know I would also but the point I'm trying to make is neither Shiloh nor Shiloh's mom should of had to be put in that position! Now if it were an Akita or a Cougar or something else threatening the Bagel your dang right I intercede!
 
G

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#18 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

What you did was done by instinct and is completely and totally understandable.

And I'm sure that I'm in the minority here but I even understand your husband (and you) not wanting to kill the snake.

We had a run-in with a baby (12) copperhead earlier this year. It was by God's good grace that Yodel wasn't bitten as he walked into it nose first. I managed to throw a bucket over the snake and my husband put it into a pillowcase and released it in an unpopulated area the next morning.

But that being said...if anything tried to injure my babies and it was Us or Them, I would not be kind.

I'm so glad that Shiloh and you were not hurt.

~Denise
 
C

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#19 ·
Re: tShilohs first encounter with a copperhead

I will agree with tntnjmom, it may not have been the smartest move, but you can bet I'd do the same thing. My pups are my family and just as I would my human children, I protect them with that same love.
 
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