Share
News

Puppy Who Saved Owner from Rattlesnake Bite Is Named Dog of the Year

Share

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. For one woman from Phoenix, Arizona, her hero came in the form of her very own guard dog.

Paula Goodwin was out walking one morning with her dogs when things suddenly went south.

“It was a beautiful morning,” Goodwin wrote on Facebook. Not the kind of morning you’d expect to land anyone in the hospital.

“As we were walking down the hill,” Goodwin’s post continued. “I literally almost stepped on a… rattlesnake.”

According to the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, “there are approximately 8,000 venomous snakebites each year in the U.S. — these typically result in eight to 15 deaths.”

Are you glad there is an award to honor our pets?

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona even offers Rattlesnake Avoidance Training periodically. According to the most recent training event page, the “class gives dogs the necessary training to help prevent an expensive and potentially deadly snakebite.”

However, it ended up being lucky for Goodwin that her Golden Retriever, Todd, chose NOT to avoid a bite in this particular scenario.

“My hero of a puppy Todd saved me. He jumped right in front of my leg,” she wrote. Goodwin said she’s certain she would have been bitten if Todd hadn’t saved her.

Poor Todd was in the hospital for 12 hours following the incident. Goodwin shared in a Streamy Awards video. “It looked like he had another head because it was so swollen.”

Goodwin posted photos of Todd on Facebook, simply wanting prayers for her sweet hero of a puppy. That post has since been shared over 5K times!

Related:
Mike Johnson Puts His Foot Down: First Trans Rep. Sarah McBride Reacts After Being Forbidden from Using Women's Bathroom

It’s no wonder Todd was chosen as a finalist for Milk-Bone’s Dog of the Year Award! Watch as Goodwin shares her full story.

Now Todd has rightfully been named Dog of the Year! Is there any pet more deserving? Goodwin shared her gratitude as she stood on stage at the Streamy Awards.

“I want to say thank you to Milk-Bone for putting this honor together,” Goodwin said. “It’s about time we start honoring our pets more.”

“I want to say thank you to the voters that voted for Todd!” Goodwin continued. “He is my hero and he is so worthy! Thank you so much!

Todd is certainly the dog I’d want around in a scary situation like the one Goodwin found herself in. Way to go, puppy!

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, ,
Share
Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.
Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.

Sarah's experience as a successful working stay-at-home mom and business owner has given her the chance to write and research often. She stays up to date on the latest in entertainment and offers her views on celebrity stories based on her wide knowledge of the industry. Her success as a former preschool teacher and licensed daycare provider lend to her know-how on topics relating to parenting and childhood education.

Her thoughts on faith and family issues stem from home life and ministry work. Sarah takes time to attend workshops and classes annually that help her to improve and hone her writing craft. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature program and her writing has been acclaimed by ACFW and ECPA.
Education
Institute of Children's Literature, Art Institute of Phoenix (Advertising), University of California Irvine (Theater), Snow College (Early Childhood Education)
Location
Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Entertainment, Faith




Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.

Conversation