I have to share this in light of Dave and Karen's new pet.

My kids love snakes and lizards and all that stuff. We have a large black snake that is living under the rocks at the back corner of the house. I have threatened the kids that if they move, even on rock, they will be in so much trouble......so far no one has moved any rocks

So, driving up the road to get the boys yesterday there was a three ft long black snake lying across the road. So, I do what any good mother should do: OOH, look! There is a huge snake on the road, quick take off your seatbelts and lets get out and look at it. Eva and Jesse were very eager to see it. It was a pretty thing. Jesse wanted to pet it, but we were in a hurry. I just get a stick and nudged it along. Jesse was impressed at how fast it slithered away, and sad that I hadn't caught it for him.

We got the boys and the kids told them about the snake. Saul was really upset with me. You want to know why?!? Well, he just couldn't understand why I let the snake go, why didn't I just catch it and put it in the back of the van so he could see it and bring it home to keep for a while......hmmm, I just don't know....... (they have an aquarium that they sometimes keep things like that in) So, he finally got over the whole 'no snake' thing and we carried on with life.

So, Karen, if my kids had been around when that snake was found, you can almost guarantee that the little sucker would have spent a few days, at least, in my house! Ah, the joys of living in the country with boys!

Dog Fight!

So, here's the story:
I've been training our German Shepard to walk good on a leash. I had some money to give to Megan, Chad's sister. They have 5 small dogs. Bitsy has been around those dogs before and there has never been a problem. Now the stage is set.
I took Bitsy and the two younger kids and we walked to Megan's house. Bitsy was very well behaved and didn't even seem to notice two of the little yappers barking at her. Then the biggest of the bunch got out of the house and came directly at her. He got her by the neck and she drug him away from the kids, and off of her. That prompted the other dogs to try to get into it. Well, the kids were all fine, but Jesse was really scared. Eva was angry that the other dogs may be hurting her dog.

I finally got Bitsy out of the yard and was closing the gate when that dog came at her again. I kicked the dog back but Bitsy was already in defense mode. I felt her bite my leg. She backed off immediately when she realized the other dog was no longer there. She didn't take offense in the least, only defense. For example, one of the other dogs managed to get out of the yard with her and was barking and rushing at her, trying to bite her, she merely backed away from her. The kids were still in the yard and no dogs were near them, Bitsy was really only concerned with the safety of the kids. When the other dog had been caught and taken in the house, I looked at my leg. My pants and garments had been torn and there is a bite mark bruise there, but the skin wasn't even broken. I know it was the promise of wearing the garment faithfully that saved my leg. We were not in the wrong and we were blessed with safety.

Needless to say, we don't let our dog go anywhere near where those dogs might be. And, next time one of them gets out......I may just let Bitsy after it..........I'm not bitter or anything! I used to keep her at the house until they caught the little yapper, but when they attack my well behaved dog......they are no longer welcome to roam around where we live.

Things are going well here now. Bitsy has been more protective of the kids when they are outside playing. I'm glad that we got such a good and loving dog. She will follow the kids around and stay by them where they are playing.


I'm thankful for our safety in that situation. Jesse still talks about how "I hate dem mean dogs dere!"
I will take him a little while to get over seeing that.....I'm sure he will be fine!