Sweet Hero Pup Saves His Owner, Takes Deadly Snakebite Instead

Dog is man’s best friend, and a loyal golden retriever recently proved that fact by acting quickly to protect his owner from a rattlesnake attack.

Paula Godwin of Anthem, Ariz., posted on Facebook that she and her six-month-old golden retriever, Todd, were going for a morning walk along 7th Street and Carefree Highway on Friday when Godwin almost stepped on a rattlesnake that blended in perfectly with the paved path. However, Todd spotted the snake and jumped to protect Godwin in the nick of time. He was bitten on the mouth in the process.

“It was a beautiful morning but as we were walking down the hill I literally almost stepped on a mf rattlesnake,” Godwin wrote on Facebook. “But my hero of a puppy Todd saved me[.] He jumped right in front of my leg [where] I surely would have got bit.”

“This is what a hero looks like,” Godwin added, uploading two pictures of Todd with a visibly swollen face and a bandaged leg. “Please say a little prayer for my sweet hero.”

Godwin later told Fox 10 Phoenix that, following the attack, she immediately rushed Todd to a nearby animal hospital where he received an anti-venom injection. He’s expected to make a full recovery. Indeed, in a Fox 10 news clip, Todd appears no worse for wear other than his swollen snout.

On Sunday, Godwin posted a follow-up about Todd on Facebook. “Much love to all from hero Todd,” she captioned a photo of Todd wearing a cape.

We definitely don’t deserve dogs. They love us unconditionally and constantly go above and beyond to provide us with emotional comfort, protection, and even aid us in day-to-day tasks. Todd is truly a hero, and Godwin can rest easy knowing that she has such a courageous pup looking out for her well-being.