[aigel]

My dog got hit by an early spring rattler in LA and it was $4500. That's with bringing the dog into emergency care within 30 minutes. So, this isn't completely insane.

I read a lot about rattlesnakes after that. I always thought it was just a big bee sting, but not any more after I saw the number it did on my dog. What I also did read was that rattlesnake bites were most common in "adolescent males". Haha - exactly - it is rare you step on one by accident. Usually people that get bit eff with them.

I once was in the sierra and there were 3 of those adolescent men going to the local swim hole in shorts and flipflops, teasing a rattler in the bush. Not very smart ... add to it the location - 3 hours from cell reception ...

G