Puppy Takes Rattlesnake Bite to Face While Protecting Owner During Hike
Scorpions, javelinas, and snakes are an everyday threat when you live in the desert. Something life-long Arizona resident Paula Godwin knows well.
When it comes to rattlesnakes specifically, many assume that it would be easy to spot one due to their signature rattling sound. But that isn’t always the case.
You can be standing right next to one and not even know it — which is exactly what happened to Godwin while she was out hiking with her dogs.
She sat down with Liftable to share her brave puppy’s heroic story:
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Godwin took her 6-month-old puppy, Todd, and three-year-old dog, Copper, along a familiar trail in north Phoenix. But on their way down the hill, tragedy struck.
Godwin had no idea there was a rattlesnake right by her foot. “I did not see the snake,” said Godwin, “Todd saw it before me.”
The curious pup darted toward her foot, protecting his loving owner by taking a bite right to the face.
“I grabbed Todd and told Copper to ‘follow me,'” rushing them both back to her car. She was able to get Todd to the vet within 10 minutes where he was given anti-venom. It was her swift actions that most likely saved the dog’s life.
The sweet puppy’s face swelled “really big” from the bite. But within just a few short days, Godwin said Todd was given a clean bill of health from the vet.
Reflecting back on Todd’s bravery, Godwin knows just how close she was from her own life being on the line. “It would have definitely struck me if he wouldn’t have been curious. For sure he saved me.”
One of the most amazing things to come from Todd’s story going viral is the awareness Godwin is raising for other animals in need.
“We didn’t want a GoFundMe. We feel it’s our dog and our responsibility, but my friend said, maybe we can help other pets,” said Godwin. “I’ve had a lot of people contact me saying they couldn’t afford care and their pets died because of it. And that made us sad.”
“So, we really wanted to help our community and help other pets so that they can get the care that they need.” Over $3,000 has been raised already to help other animals in need.
Now Todd is a hero in more ways than one. Not only did he save his owner, but he will now help save his furry friends who cannot afford proper care.
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