Severus the snake

Ah, the country life!  You never know what new animal you will see, in you own kitchen!  I was already tucked in bed reading before going to sleep when a large thunk came from the other room.  I got up to investigate, the dogs all looked at me like 'you got this, we'll wait right here.'  So, I got up and slowly made my way past the laundry room and into the kitchen looking for anything out of place.  

I see that a jar has fallen off the top of the stove and also see snake skin slither past and hide behind the toaster oven.  Reflexively, I shudder slightly.  I moved the pans from on top of it and determined it to be a rat snake, must have come in for the mice that are running wild.  Good, I told that snake last year if he came back in the house a third time I was making him a pet!  I took his pic,  then slid the pans he was curled up in from the toaster oven to the stove top.  At which point he looked up to try to escape, no escape there, then he turned towards the fridge, he stretched over toward it and I told him he wouldn't like it there and he retracted and went behind the stove again.  I moved the stove and no snake, just an old dead mouse in a snap trap who I swept out the back door, trap and all.  But I did see a space between the end of the cabinet and the wall that was covered by the stove. 

I guess he, Severus Snape the snake, returned to under the sink from whence I believe he came.  Seeing no sign of him I went back to bed hoping not to encounter him again before morning.  It was a bit disturbing to sleep with a snake in the house but if he stays out of my bed and couch I think I can manage it,and maybe he will keep the mice in check. Still the floors and under the appliances are getting a good scrubbing this weekend!