Courageous rescue dog saves foster mom from rattlesnake

Nellie, a spotted pocket pit bull, was rescued from a shelter on Christmas Eve of 2014 in Stockton, California. The poor pup, who was just a year old back then, was luckily saved from a pound.

According to a Facebook post by the Final Frontier Rescue Project, the day that Nellie was rescued, she was “too dejected and sick to even care that she was getting out of the pound”. There were also some things that made the dog worry:

“Nellie has always been anxious around new people, and worried that someone would take her stuff,” they said.

The Final Frontier Rescue Project is a non-profit organization in Austin, Texas that advocates saving rehabilitative and manageable dogs in danger of being killed in shelters.

With the tough life that Nellie has experienced, it is understandable why she seems depressed and distant. But all this changed when she was adopted by her foster mom, Jane Taylor. Jane provided Nellie a home and the love that she deserved. Gradually, the dog started to get used to her new and better life.

One weekend, Jane and her friend, Matthew Tilley, went up hiking near Enchanted Rock when they encountered a rattlesnake. The next thing they knew, Nellie bravely ran towards the snake and fought with it. To break the fight, Matthew used his jacket and threw it over the reptile. Thanks to his quick thinking, he was able to pull Nellie away from the vicious serpent.

Jane told KVUE: “We were hiking, and I saw the snake two feet from me and screamed. Nellie ran over and went for it. I kept screaming to try and stop the fight, but then Matthew was smart enough to throw his jacket on the snake and pull Nellie away.”

Unfortunately, Nellie was hurt and got bitten by the snake on her left jaw. They had to carry her back to the car because she can’t move and walk.

“When we got her in the car her eyes were closed, her head was tilted back and her mouth was open,” Jane told The Dodo.

They quickly rushed her to the veterinarian where she was treated with antivenom and antibiotics.

Thankfully, Nellie is recovering well and fast! In fact, Jane shared that the pooch is back to her energetic and playful self.

“Two days later she was chasing squirrels again,” Jane said.

Nellie is still waiting for a family who would give her a forever home. Jane, on the other hand, might move to Hawaii to take care of her elderly parents, and before she leaves, she only wants her foster dog to be with people who would love and take care of her like she did.

Jane has seen an improvement in Nellie’s behavior. She proudly shared that the pittie has already warmed up to people and other dogs, and she is even ready to share with them her toys!

“Whenever we have visitors over at the house she just goes bonkers. When dogs come over, she’s realizing that it’s playtime. She has tons of toys so she’s not so possessive anymore.” Jane said.

With Nellie’s amazing story, we can say that a dog is not only “man’s best friend”, because at times, these fur babies get to be our heroes, too.

Watch the video below to learn more about Nellie’s story.

Do you think you can be Nellie’s new parent? You may visit Final Frontier Rescue Project’s Facebook page to learn more about her adoption details.