Not a Boffo Day for Bufo Toads in Costa Rica
There are killer toads loose in Costa Rica. Unlike Pat and John, we had been alerted to the nasty critters and I prepared a special clubbing instrument.
Frances at the Lighthouse Animal Rescue had warned us of the “bufo” toads. It’s a misnomer to call a toad a “bufo” because that is the name of the class of toads.
(Note to self: class, toads, never use those two words together again. Toads have no class. Remember Terry the Toad from American Graffiti?)
John does a good job explaining why Gringo dog owners freak out at the sight of a toad. Go read the blog.
Except he forgot to mention the horrible death a dog suffers if it grabs a toad. The toad secretes poison and the dog will immediately go into seizures with certain death to follow unless action is take to dilute the poison and administer a shot of eppy.
Our toad was on the rancho last night when Nancy went to walk Sofi and Oliver (on leashes.) She spottedit and let out a yell. I grabbed my trusty walking stick and approached with caution.
Like John, my machetes (yes I have two brand new ones and one used one!) are coming in the container. Bud says he uses a five iron. Thanks Bud! My golf clubs are in the container too.
The toad was not anxious to escape. I didn’t take a big backswing because I didn’t know how it would react to my movement. So I did a shortened “Kill Bill” hee-ya move. That just stunned him for a moment, but that was all I needed. With a rapid succession of whacks I beat that sumbitch until his guts came out his mouth.
My foot measures 10 1/2″ – the toad would be longer if stretched out – including the guts coming out of his mouth.
There are now two less bufo toads in Costa Rica and my days of letting the dogs run free have ended. That damn toad scared the crap out of me.
Nancy said I should have seen the one that got away.
No thanks. But if I do, I want a machete or clubbing instrument of death.
Well, I am certainly enjoying your new experiances, keep them coming! We miss ya’ at the news!
Thanks! I’m trying not to write about my new life, but it’s tough when everyday is a new experience.
Hysterical! I am also a boomer expat, but in Portugal. I grew up in Florida and the Bufo and and Coconut blogs were killin me…isn’t being an ex-pat the best!
See answer to Deb. Do foreigners to the US call themselves ex-pats or is this a US thang?
7 iron works very nice with out a mess to clean up in the yard.
Your toad launcher is the BEST. But I’m not building a gadget to entertain my self with toads. Hope I never see one again. 🙂
OMG that toad is HUGE!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!
I was “holy crap” the rest of the night! And UGLY.
Didn’t you used to club squirrels to death back in KY? At least you’re continuing your battle with nature with new prey.
Why yes, yes I did love to crunch squirrels in Kentucky – and anywhere else. Thank you so much for remembering!
you’re going to have the Costa Rican chapter of PETA gunning for you
Bring it. The other bufo killer and I are meeting tonight to form a club.