In loving memory of a snake no one ever knew

[Mindibun]

I saw someone run over a wild corn snake tonight. It was really terrible. I stopped and pulled over to help it, but the damage was pretty bad. So, I stayed by it in the road with my car's flashers on and signaled people to go around. I called my dad to come help me, but I knew there wasn't much we could do. I tried calling some rescue places, a few vets - anyone I could think of. No one had any vets that were knowledgeable about reptiles. I positioned myself over the snake so that no one would run him over again, and he wrapped himself around my foot. I guess they like to feel "grounded" that way.

When my dad showed up he had a shovel with him, so he tried to get the snake onto it and move it off the road. (My dad is afraid of snakes.) The snake was a good size, and too big to fit on the shovel, and all my dad was really doing was pushing the poor thing across the asphalt. So I told him to stop and bent down to pick it up myself. I know it was taking a risk: parasites, getting bit, etc. But it was far too hurt to even think about biting. All gory details aside, I ended up with blood and other misc. "parts" on my hands. In the end, there was nothing we could do; no one could help us and the snake needed nothing short of major surgery. So my dad and I decided the only thing we could do for it was put it out of its misery. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make.

Tonight is a very sad night for me.

Rest in peace, little snake. I'm sorry I couldn't have done more.

[MDB]

I am very sorry that you had to experience that. But just think that his last moments were spent with somebody that realy cared. RIP cornsnake

[Melicious]

That's so heart-breaking. I tend to do that a lot. And yeah, at least his last few moments were with someone who actually cared about him. Poor little guy.

[Mindibun]

The saddest part is that a few people would stop and ask if I was ok, and when I explained to them that I was waiting on my dad and we were gonna try to help the snake, they'd say, "Oh wow. Ok, g'bye!" and take off. One car pulled up: three guys and a girl. The guys seemed fairly concerned but the girl actually laughed in my face and said, "HAHA! Wow, she actually wants to save that thing. HAHAHA!!"

People have no compassion.

[Melicious]

The saddest part is that a few people would stop and ask if I was ok, and when I explained to them that I was waiting on my dad and we were gonna try to help the snake, they'd say, "Oh wow. Ok, g'bye!" and take off. One car pulled up: three guys and a girl. The guys seemed fairly concerned but the girl actually laughed in my face and said, "HAHA! Wow, she actually wants to save that thing. HAHAHA!!"

People have no compassion.

See, I would've smacked her in the face with the shovel. ^_^ Sorry. I have anger issues.

[92phantom]

i agree with melicious i prolly woulda smacked her also. i have the same problem especially with people who have no compassion, or even respect enough to just keep their mouth shut when i'm trying to do something good and they may not like reptiles so they don't understand. I bet if it was a dog or cat that girl would have been in tears try'n to help.