Heading out west - snake precautions.

Your leash is your best protection. Don't let your dog near any bush you can't see through. I heard one buzzing under a bush beside the walk at a Texas road side rest. Last week I took the dog to a recreation area by the Salt river. I had passed a woman and her two children on a path and then a little farther on saw a small rattler, about 24" laying across the path. I threw a little dirt on it to make it coil & rattle to teach the dog that it was "bad". It crawled back in the bush and I turned the dog back to the truck. I saw the woman again and warned her to be careful. I've seen 24 snake tracks where they crossed the trail on an ATV ride in the desert. When showing some Easterners our Diamond Backs in the desert one big old rattler took off after me. It was totally my fault, I didn't respect his space. (Yes, a person can outrun a Rattlesnake). :) Snakes don't have to be feared but they must be respected. They don't want to waste energy in a confrontation they can avoid. They're really socialable critters.... Leash your dog and enjoy your trip..