A dead garter snake was a huge source of fascination for canines and children at Bailey's Crossing, the Oak Lawn Park District's new dog park at 9910 S. Melvina Ave.

Some children found it in the park and asked me if I wanted to see it. It looked like a dog chewed it.

I picked up the snake thinking I could take it home and nurse it back to health, but it was already dead.

Another woman came along and told me to drop it. She picked it up with a stick and we all looked at it for awhile. Then she tossed the snake into the garbage.

Don't worry, there are no poisonous snakes at the dog park.

Later I went home and washed my hands.