Quite a rollercoaster of a day, so just now getting around to posting.
Had a short morning ride since there was a vet appointment for my dog later, so went for a shorter route, and expected to see nada until near the end, the universe thought differently as it often seems to do. Came around a bend and bam, gila number 7 for the year waddling across the trail. I did the usual song and dance of shedding helmet, gloves, sunglasses, and trying to dig out the camera but in that time the little fella had already made it off the trail... and straight into the worst patch of cholla I've ever seen. Barely had a chance to actually dig out the cell phone to grab this shot by the time I realized he was REALLY getting that cholla embedded. Within seconds of this shot, he had basically given the cholla ball a bear hug and was VERY firmly stuck in there... front paws/claws both stuck to spines, whole belly, and back legs were starting to get in on the mess.
View attachment 2141749
At this point, I think it's safe to say he wasn't gonna get free on his own, and I definitely couldn't leave that scene. Managed to find a stick to use along with the big rubber foot of my monopod to try and pull the gila and cholla apart. Just before success though, I cleared out all the cholla balls directly ahead that I was afraid he'd dart right into once free. Sure as ****, he found the one chunk of cholla that I missed in the clearing process, but luckily it was small enough that he was able to make it over and not get stuck to it this time.
Didn't get any pics of that whole process, but was granted a few moments to get some shots afterwards, and ensure he was very much mobile and on his way again (without any attached cholla.) He never once hissed or showed his open mouth or anything, almost like he knew what was up. Glad for that since the sticks I was trying to use in combination with the monopod kept breaking and getting shorter, and I wasn't keen on being the one dipshit to get into the news from a gila monster bite.
View attachment 2141750
View attachment 2141751
Quite a bit off topic from the reptile theme, but still in the 'absolutely amazing animals' category for sure:
That was a pretty awesome experience to help a critter out successfully, and was a nice little positive moment leading into probably one of the top worst moments of my life a few hours later.... having to put down my first/only ever dog of 16 years. Even though it was mostly expected/planned, it didn't make it any better. She was definitely as perfect a dog as any human could wish for, and far more than any human deserves. Aussie cattle dog mixed with nobody-could-figure-it-out equals absolutely amazing.
View attachment 2141752
View attachment 2141753
She also made me realize I could never be without a dog, ever, and this 2m old malinois/husky mix came home just this evening.
View attachment 2141755
