Rocky the lightning protector
In a remarkable display of loyalty and courage, a pet dog named Rocky risked his life to protect his owner from a venomous cobra in Alappuzha, India. The unique blend of beautiful nature and a high number of snakes makes this state distinctive. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in the yard of his owner Thushara’s home, when the snake slithered into the compound. Without hesitation, Rocky lunged at the cobra, preventing it from entering the house. According to OnManorama News, Thushara spotted a four-foot-long cobra by a wall as she stepped outside to leave for Nedumbassery Airport to pick up her husband, Subash Krishna. The snake suddenly raised its hood and struck — but Rocky intervened. In a fierce struggle, the dog sustained three venomous bites before killing the cobra, saving his owner from harm.
India is known as the snakebite ‘capital’ of the world as nearly 60,000 people die from snake bites each year, and three times as many survive but are left with a permanent disability. As a conservationist at heart, it is particularly difficult for me to address the situation. Despite the loss of human lives, I know that it is extremely important to conserve snakes as they are often the apex predator and key in maintaining balance in the ecosystem. In addition, it is reported that the overall losses of grain to rodents in India are approximately 25% in the field and 25-30% in post-harvest food stores. This equates to a loss of at least 5 billion US dollars annually. Without snakes keeping their populations under control, this cost to farmers would be even higher.
Soon after the attack Thushara rushed the injured dog to a nearby veterinary hospital, from where he was referred to multiple facilities for urgent care. Following days of intensive treatment under the supervision of veterinary surgeon Dr Bibin Prakash and his team, Rocky began to recover. Thushara’s husband, Subhash Krishna, who works abroad, returned home and went straight to the hospital to be with his loyal companion. Rocky received intensive care and started showing signs of recovery after several days under critical observation.
Cobra Kisses
What’s worse than a box full of snakes?
A box that was SUPPOSED to be full of snakes.
How do you get a snake into Hogwarts?
You tell it to slither in.
How do you measure a snake?
In inches—they don’t have feet.
One time, the entire class gathered around the cage and, in complete silence, watched as the feeding took place. “I’m jealous of the snake,” the instructor said. “I never get the class’s undivided attention like this.” A student answered matter-of-factly, “You would if you could swallow a mouse.”
January 13th Birthdays
1995 – Natalia Dyer, 1979 – Jill Wagner, 1951 – Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 1970 – Shonda Rimes
1990 – Liam Hemsworth, 1966 – Patrick Dempsey, 1977 – Orlando Bloom, 1962 – Trace Adkins