Ben, Clifford (our son's dog), got bit back in the Spring by a rattlesnake after he got home to California. He got treated with antivenom immediately after the bite and still was sick for over a week. In fact, the antivenom has some bad side effects like bleeding. I've since heard that animals have a built in protection from snake bites-they swell up and then they get better. I just knew Clifford was going to die even with the antivenom but he didn't.

"Grits is one of those country-boy words that is both singular and plural-like deer, elk and sheep. I think the singular is appropriate when there's a modifier that makes it clear one is talking about something specific. Like, 'Grits are good for you, but these here grits is tasty.'"~~Joe Wrabek