Two more snakes
You might remember our old story about the snake.
About two weeks ago, Basil (the Cat) was rattling away excitedly near the front door (and our piles of shoes). I moved shoes away and her away to discover that she was beating on a tiny little snake. She was positively whaling on the the little thing, and those of you who have cats can imagine… cat’s can swat several times a second with their paws when they get upset.
I got her in my arms and handed the wriggling mass of fury to Bekah, while I tried to capture the snake. It escaped under the battery compartment, not to be seen again… we thought. Basil camped out most of the night in the area, looking to finish the job. We hoped that she would have scared it back outside at least.
Last week, it came back. We came into our house, and Basil was pouncing around the shoes near the door again. This time, she got the snake into her little mouth and went trotting across the house with it, dropping it under the table. I suppose that she had been playing with it.
I got her away enough to grab the little snake behind the head, and I took it outside and across the pasture to the forest there and released it. It didn’t seem too healthy, but at least it wasn’t in the house.
End of The Story of Snake Number One.
The Story of Snake Number Two:
Well, three really.
On Sunday morning we went down into the Catskills to visit some friends (thanks, friends!). We returned last night, pretty much went right to bed. This morning, Bekah made a little exasperated sound and said “oh, there’s a bitten-in-half snake in a pile of puke and blood all over the floor”.
Yep. Pretty nasty. This was about 2-ft long, somewhat chewed up, and of course, on our nice new hand-made Mexican wool rug. Cats just can’t puke or make messes on the tile or hardwood floor — it’s gotta be on the rug.
Bekah cleaned up the floor and I took the rug out to wash with some of the collected rainwater. Yuck.
Sure, it’s a pretty badass thing for a house-cat to do, but I mean, that’s nasty!
I’m reading this book about “alternative houses” and it talks about the house as a skin between us and nature. I think our skin is a bit too thin.
Tags: cat, disturbing, snake
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August 27, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Basil is the bravest creature on this planet. Batting at a snake in a shoe pile to protect you both from certain snake poisoning and then eating a 2 foot long snake to save you both from certain strangulation by snake — you gotta know — you two are fortunate to be in charge of taking care of Basil. Not every feline would do this for the caregivers. Q-T would have allowed Bob and me to be poisoned and/or strangled. Of this fact, I am most certain.
A part of me is becoming desensitized to snake stories via your words, Matt. Of course this is still theory… each time I think of visiting and read a snake story, I think, well, maybe not this year. And now the question has become, how do I know Basil will protect me?
Hugs to you both and give that Basil a real meal tonight. I am glad to know if a cat eats a snake, the cat will puke. That is something I often wondered about and feel happy to know the answer.
Thanks for the stories. I really love reading about your life on the farm. I can tell you feel happy and content, Matt. Hugs to you and Bekah and a royal crown for Basil. I hope word is out there in snakeville — Basil lives! Beware of the Strawbale Hut!
Love,
Teresa
P.S. While waiting to hear Hillary to speak at the convention last night, I ran the TV controller to find something interesting. I saw a calf being born on an odd show about messy jobs. Anyway, after reading Bekah’s words and seeing this new life, I just cried at the beauty of creation that you live with and personally witness each day on your farm. AMAZING!!!
September 5, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Go Basil!
Being cat people, we have a theory for that certain, specific gravity that cats have which enables them to puke it up ONLY upon a rug. We call it “Splat Factor Avoidance.” It is very practical don’t you think? Imagine how this innate ability to find a soft absorbent spot to bring up their business, factors into their own KEEN awarenss of how they must later, clean up after themselves.
Just a thought.