Snowy and the Serpent: A Heroic Tail from the Backyard
This is the story of the day our American Eskimo dog,
Snowy, proved just how brave a fluffy white pup can be.
A Peaceful Autumn Afternoon: A Colorado Setting
We live in a quiet suburb on the edge of rural America, where nature still finds its way into daily life. Just a few blocks from our house, there’s a pond where local kids hunt for pollywogs and crawdads—a perfect mix of small-town charm and wild surprises.
It was autumn in Colorado. The air was crisp, and the leaves had just begun their golden transformation. I had recently stacked a cord of wood along our fence, near the patio path, prepping for the long winter ahead.
Our daughter, Roo, only about four years old at the time, was outside playing in her sandbox. Shovel in hand, she was building a world for her toy subjects—completely immersed in her imagination.
Snowy to the Rescue: A Dog’s Instinct
Out of nowhere, Snowy bolted from the house, barking wildly at the woodpile. She was laser-focused on the lower right side and began scratching furiously, sending splinters flying.
As she moved down the stack, she carefully positioned herself between the wood and Roo, clearly sensing danger. Roo stood up, visibly scared, so we quickly brought her inside.
I tried calming Snowy, but she wouldn’t stop. Something was wrong, and she wasn’t about to back down.
The Intruder Revealed: A Bull Snake Encounter
Moments later, the carefully stacked wood was a mess—and then we saw it. A slithering pattern of yellow and brown had emerged.
Snowy lunged and yanked out a snake over six feet long.
It struck, and Snowy yelped in pain.
At first, we feared it was a rattlesnake because of the large diamond markings along its body. But there was no rattle. A quick call to the vet confirmed it was likely a Bull snake—non-venomous, non-aggressive, and actually beneficial for controlling rodents.
Still, it had bitten Snowy, and it wasn’t going away quietly.
Protecting the Family: Snowy’s Bravery
The snake attempted to flee through a gap under the fence, but Snowy blocked it. It eventually retreated beneath another section of the woodpile.
Knowing Bull snakes aren’t typically dangerous to humans, we were able to leash Snowy and brought her inside. My wife called animal control, and we waited while keeping a watchful eye.
Inside, we cleaned Snowy’s leg with our first aid kit, gently bandaged the wound, and told her she was a very good dog. She had a brave heart and the bite to prove it.
Roo, being Roo, wanted to keep the snake as a pet. We gently explained it would be happier back in the wild, and she—reluctantly—agreed.
Animal Control and a Vet Visit: Safe Resolution
When animal control arrived, they calmly assessed the situation. They cornered and safely snared the snake, placing it in a bag for relocation.
Thankfully, the snake had only minor injuries, and so they released it back into the wild.
We weren’t taking chances, so we took Snowy to the vet. She handled it like a champ. The vet applied a healing salve and reassured us she’d be just fine.
A few days later, Snowy was back to her tail-wagging self.
What We Learned: Lessons from an Unexpected Encounter
That day, I learned that even in quiet neighborhoods, unexpected wildlife encounters happen. I also learned there are safe, non-toxic ways to keep snakes out of your yard—including some of the products we now proudly carry in our store.
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