AMPS+ Hazards

Perhaps not surprisingly hazards do exist in working with animals. Narrowed down to merely dog walking/watching (and toss in the occasional cat, bird and fish) hazards still lurk just around the corner. In the last year+ of full-time AMPS+ and I’ve been: bitten (2x), scratched(several), stepped on(too many to count), slobbered and splashed, had clothes torn, and thrown to the ground (same side as the nasty bug leg of early Monsoon). That’s not including running into wildlife, traffic and impatient neighbors. All better alternatives to punching a clock for someone else. 
With the Monsoon in full swing all manners of  critters are out and about and the combination of very high temps and humidity put extra stress on the pups as well. Recently we’ve had near misses with several coyotes, a couple javi’s, giant toads, some swarms of flying ants, the typical diamondback and my first  Striped Tail Scorpion

Striped Tail Scorpion
Job Hazard
This guy was probably four inches long head to tail and 3-4 pincher to pincher. Scared the tar about out of me as I opened a door and caught him around a corner a couple feet up the wall.  Few local scorpions are helpful, even though they all eat up a bunch of bugs, so I went ahead and put him down. Since pups are curious by nature it seems the better option to sacrifice the occasional harmful critter to keep a potential problem away from animals under my responsibility. 
Snakes are so common this time of year they almost escape my awareness. Frogs/toads on the other hand are rather rare; at least on my rounds. Most of my rounds take me by (normally) dry river beds and washes, not making for great toad prospects. However, the occasional client lives at measurably higher elevation and/or closer to more stable water sources which means different sights for me. Tjhis Red Spotted Toad was the biggest toad I’ve ever seen. He had to be 10 inches long (toe-to-toe) and five inches wide. Ginormous!  
Taking a few minutes to better understand the local wildlife has proven helpful: which critters to ignore, kill, save, help cross the road, run-like-hell from, etc…..It’s also a way to add something to your conversation bucket. It’s always a shocker to hear how little natives may know about their own backyard. 
Harmless Red Spotted Toad





 In spite of all the minor hazards the upsides of working for my growing of critters (and their human companions) continue to tip the scale in my favor.  Animals 1: Offices 0.   
Two Great Clients!!

AniMal