Miracle on Turtle Creek Street

If you read my previous snake posts from last summer, you know that Jack could moonlight as a snake finder (Not sure what exactly his day job is...perhaps he's just a dog of leisure). He has a specific bark when he finds a snake and relentlessly and somewhat stupidly barks at them until someone or something does something about it (hence the snake bite last year). This time he was outside our kitchen window barking at a small bush. I peeked through the vines and saw a very large snake coiled around the bottom of the bush. Thank goodness it was a Saturday and Paul was home because as we know from my previous experience I'm not exactly the best snake catcher.

Here's the predator. Paul went out to inspect and identified the species as "rat snake" These aren't really harmful and actually keep the rodent and the ever pesky frog population down. He was outside debating if he should kill him or just move him when our neighbor Glen came over to see what the commotion was and when I came outside with the camera. 

I got the final vote and so his demise was inevitable. No snakes (no matter what kind) in a yard where my baby girl plays. So Paul did the deed.

Upon closer inspection we came to the conclusion that the snake had recently had a very large meal and Glen suggested a little dissection just for fun. Boys will be boys - no matter if they are 40, 30 or 12 :)

Conveniently, Paul had gloves and a scalpel in his truck and the boys went to work. Glen's son Nick also came over to inspect.

And as it turns out - the snake had just eaten a very large frog. Paul accidentally sliced his body during dissection.

Are you asking, "Why did Hearin title this entry 'Mircale on Turtle Creek Street'?" Well my friends, here's where it gets good. Paul noticed the frog breathing. Yes really with his guts hanging out and all. It turns out that no internal injuries were made from the scalpel blade so they just shoved the guts back inside and waited to see if he was going to make it.

And lo and behold the little sucker started hopping.

And so what we will assume this is a happy ending - The boys (and Maggie the dog) took the frog to safely at the pond. And he lived happily ever after (I know I know, just go with it).