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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2025 45 Garden Club Mark your calendars for May 17 when we will present the next Four Seasons Home Garden Tour! Tickets are only $5, and if you missed the April pre-sale, you can still purchase them at The Lodge on the day of the tour from 9:45 am to 12 noon. All ticket holders must check in at The Lodge to receive their wristband, which is required for entry into each home. The tour runs from 10 am to 2 pm, giving you the opportunity to explore the gardens of seven generous neighbors, along with a sneak peek at the new Pollinator Garden at The Summit, designed by the Landscape Committee. A master gardener will also be available to answer your garden questions. This tour will showcase a variety of garden styles, ensuring inspiration for everyone — regardless of the size of their own garden! Whether you're an experienced gardener or just getting started, you're sure to come away with new ideas. Please note that pets are not allowed and attendees must be over the age of 10. Hope to see you in the garden. ~ Pat Wayne Tails & Trails - All Pets Hi guys! It's me, Max! I usually help Mom with whatever she's doing, but lately she is not letting me help with yard work. She says she doesn't want me to run into a snake. My mom isn't a big fan of snakes. She says they don't bite to be mean, only when they feel threatened, or they're trying to have a meal, so she wants to keep me away from them, so they don't get scared and try to defend themselves. Mom said she was working near the woods where leaves piled up last fall, and there were lots of tree branches down. And she said those are the kinds of places snakes love to hide in. We tend to learn at an early age that snakes go into hibernation in the fall and re- emerge from hibernation in the spring. They are more active at night and when the weather is warm than they are in the daytime or in cooler temperatures. Having a basic understanding of their natural habitat is important, as well as knowing which species of snakes are native to your area. Being able to properly identify them will tell you whether they are venomous or nonvenomous, which can help prevent injury to humans, other animals, and the snakes themselves. Both nonvenomous and venomous snakes benefit homeowners and gardeners by eating invertebrates and rodents. You may want to clear your yard of trash and deep leaf litter. Don't let your dog stick their head in holes, bushes, or tall grasses. Snakes are more active after dark and in warm weather, so keep your dog inside after dusk when you know venomous snakes are in the area. Snakes frequent areas where they can find food. Popular prey for snakes are mice, rats, squirrels, and rabbits. Many cities have training classes available to teach your dog snake avoidance techniques. Most of these classes can be found by searching the internet. If your dog is bitten, get it to your vet or closest emergency animal hospital for anti-venom, as soon as possible. Time is of the essence when the bite is from a venomous snake. If a venomous snake bit your dog, the only thing you can do is remove the dog's collar, keep your dog calm, and head to the closest vet. Stay safe out there! ~ Max (Vivian Walker, vivr@sbcglobal. net)

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