We couldn't help but notice long ago with our previous generation of dogs that they don't seem to notice the presence of snakes, even when those snakes pick up desperate speed to avoid being trampled. Which makes us notice their presence, but not so the dogs that go berserk with the intention of chasing after squirrels or anything else that seems to move in the forest underbrush.

We spoke with other people about their dogs' reactions to the presence of snakes and they're all agreed: dogs just don't seem to 'see' the snakes, much less indicate any interest in their presence. Our daughter, on her rural property, has a wetland behind her home, and in the spring on sunny days black snakes, large harmless snakes that live in water, come out to gather themselves on stones or exposed granite of the Canadian Shield to soak up the sun on clear days.

At one time, our daughter had a dog pack of ten -- of various breeds and sizes, none of which appeared to give the snakes any notice whatever, though we did see one of them once sniffing at a snake, which appeared evidently too comfortable to become alarmed and obviously feeling no threat emanating from the dog, moved not an inch.

Yesterday we once again came across a garter snake on one of the ravine trails. This one was much more mature and therefore more rotund-larger than the little slender slip of a fellow we'd seen a few weeks back. Because we're now into autumn-cold the snakes are looking for the comfort of exposure to the warmth of the sun.

This one panicked as they usually do, and slithered swiftly away from us. But when it realized we meant it no harm, it stopped, and slid its head under some vegetation on the forest floor its body fully exposed nonetheless; aware of our presence, but shielding its vision from us, perhaps believing that if it couldn't see us, we wouldn't be able to see it.

Jackie and Jillie trotted on ahead unconcernedly, finding much else on our walk to be interested in, while I tarried to take a few photos as my husband watched the proceedings, then we left the little big-guy alone to enjoy a truly beautiful early fall day that had temporarily turned back to summer with a temperature high of 22C for the day -- and full sun.