Death in the afternoon

After a birthday weekend of some happiness, also shared by the Salukis, Michael (with Golly) returned to his house and slept into the afternoon. Apparently, when he got up Golly seemed to have been stung by something on his ear- a fairly common occurrence for this dog - always snapping at wasps and bees or sticking his nose in ant nests. An anti-histamine and half a canine painkiller usually resulted in rapid recovery. Later, he seemed to have a swollen mouth and nose but was otherwise OK and went for a short walk quite normally, no wobbling, frothing, moaning, shaking or signs of collapse which would have meant a trip to the vet at any hour. Michael swabbed the affected area but Golly just settled down to sleep without complaint in his little outhouse where he always chose to spend the night. In the morning he was dead and had been some time as rigor mortis had set in - all a terrible and miserable shock for Michael. Only later when he took Golly to the vet for cremation did he discover via the vet's close examination that Golly had been bitten by a snake. As with his mother Carmel - all the signs associated with a critical condition were not evident. Carmel's was discovered in time, Golly's tragically was not. We are both heartbroken and full of regret. I have spent a long time and a lot of money with fencing, wiring etc. to deter snakes in my garden and Michael has a solid high wall unlikely to be climbed by a viper and even a deterrent to the less harmful whipsnakes. I constantly check out all the boundaries and corners of the yard every night and keep a close watch on the dogs at his time of year but neither of us expected Golly to be bitten and his death is a terrible shock.  For the last year or so this problem dog had finally been happy living with Michael where he felt unthreatened and secure. He was a joy to Michael and his sweet and loving temperament surfaced when he was unafraid and peaceful - they were a contented pair and now he's gone and we are bereft.