Somewhat OT: Dogs & Snakes

[Guest guest]

We just bought a wonderful acre of paradise – also now

known as my own little Jurassic

Park – and moved in

a little over six weeks ago.

For a little background, here’s my blog…you’ll

want to read the second entry down first, as it’s the beginning of the

snake saga, then the one on top is today’s exciting addition.

http://sharyn.powerfulintentions.com/blog/

A lady was bitten by a coral snake a couple of weeks ago

here in Jensen Beach and there was a big article in the paper about how they

are no longer making coral snake antivenom (probably the one thing I would

actually *welcome* a shot of if it

was necessary), and the local supply at the hospitals is due to run out by the

end of 2008. (How do they determine that? Based on an average of how many

people are estimated to be bitten annually??)

So…Cedar is obviously in no danger from the black

snakes. She probably wouldn’t notice them – hasn’t so far,

and a 5’ one was about 10’ away from her one day while we were

walking; I just gently guided her in the other direction – and they’re

not in the least aggressive, nor venomous.

However – and this is a *huge* however – what do I do if she comes running up to

me with a coral snake hanging off her somewhere?!?!? I know enough that they

don’t transmit their venom by striking, that they have to actually be

attached and gnaw for a good while – minutes – to transmit the

venom, but I doubt very seriously that any vets carry coral snake antivenom.

If we can find the one from this morning (and hopefully it’s dead in its

hole and the snake trapper guy is coming tomorrow to check that out and

retrieve it if he can), would it be useful for me to make a homeopathic nosode

from a piece of it? Say, the entire head? Or can I use the dead baby one we

still have from this morning? Should I put it in the fridge – eeww! –

or somehow keep it cold?

I’m a bit lost here, and more than a little scared,

which is a shame because this is absolutely one of the most beautiful places I’ve

ever seen and the house is to die for. (Here are some pictures, if you want to

look at my little acre of paradise/Jurassic

Park: http://picasaweb.google.com/scerniglia/2770PLBlvd

) So if anyone has any words of wisdom, I’d sure appreciate hearing

them. I’d say to take responses off-list, but I’m sure there are

others who will be interested in any insightful answers.

Hoping there are some…because Cedar’s got a

whole acre to run on and I’m scared to death to let her outside.

Sharyn & Cedar the Golden nudge

P.S. Tracey, I’ll stop visualizing you relaxing by

the pool for awhile!<G>