I read with interest in last week’s Times about the Snake Aversion Training offered by ADOG. I applaud ADOG for doing this and wish I had been there for the training. A few of my friends from the dog park participated in this and were very pleased with the results.

In April, hubby took our Westie out for the last potty break at night and as they approached our dog area at our condo, a baby rattler bit our dog on the face. We were petrified. In 20 years of owing our condo, we had never had any connection with any snakes.

Thankfully, I had taken a picture of the sign posted at the dog park with the names of emergency vets, so off we went to Scottsdale at 10:30 p.m. It was not looking very good for our Owin. They immediately gave him two vials of anti-venom serum and fluids and we just had to wait. At 3:30 a.m. the vet called and said he wasn’t doing any better and needed two more vials. We were sick at heart and it wasn’t until 7:30 a.m. that we knew he was going to make it.

He had to stay at the emergency vet for 22 hours before we could bring him home. He was very lethargic for a couple of days and we had $5,000 less in our pockets. Thankfully, Owin recovered completely but you can believe I will be signing up for the Rattlesnake Aversion Training. You always think it will never happen to you, but…