Until a few weeks ago, Nellie had always been characterized by adjectives like fearful, protective, shy, or cautious, never as brave. However, everything shifted when 5-year-old Nellie, during a hike in a Texas state park, positioned herself between her foster mother, Jane Taylor, and a rattlesnake.
Nellie was rescued from a California shelter by volunteers from the Final Frontier Rescue Project, a small organization based in Texas, when she was one year old. Following that, she spent several years transitioning between kennels until she met Taylor six months ago.
According to Taylor, speaking to The Dodo, “When Nellie came to me, she was a bit chubby, which made her incredibly adorable. We affectionately called her our little potato sack. However, that wasn’t her true form, so we began running together, and now she weighs 45 pounds.”
When Nellie first arrived at her temporary home, she was fearful of loud noises, unfamiliar people, and strange animals. She avoided contact with strangers and protected her toys with intensity. However, under the guidance of her foster mother, Nellie began to adapt to her new surroundings.
Then, on a sunny March day, Nellie showcased just how much progress she had made.
“We were hiking up to this huge rock dome… We were taking a route that we don’t usually take on our way back to the car,” Taylor explained. “I didn’t even see the snake; I just stopped and started screaming when I heard it.”
She went on, “Before I could react or even turn around, Nellie dashed from behind me and was right on top of the snake. It was as if she was saying, ‘I’ve got this one, Mom. You keep moving.'”
Not long after the encounter, Nellie was bitten on the face. A hiking companion swiftly covered the snake with his jacket and pulled it away from the injured dog.
Taylor and her friend carried Nellie down the mountain because she refused to move or walk. “When we placed her in the car,” Taylor recalled, “her mouth was open, her head tilted back, and her eyes were closed. Though she didn’t vocalize in pain, it was evident she was uncomfortable.”
“I knew getting her to the vet was urgent,” Taylor continued. Nellie received two vials of antivenom and antibiotics for the bite wound. She was then prescribed bed rest, and thanks to everyone’s prompt actions, the courageous dog is recovering rapidly.
“She’s such a resilient pup,” Taylor remarked. “Just two days later, she was back to chasing squirrels.”
Now that she’s on the mend, Nellie is ready to move forward and find her forever home.
For Nellie to feel secure, she requires a more structured environment, and soon Taylor will be relocating to Hawaii to care for her elderly parents.
According to Taylor, Nellie has been decompressing and is starting to embrace the joys of life. “She gets so excited whenever we have visitors over. She’s learning that it’s playtime when other dogs are around. She’s not as possessive anymore because she has plenty of toys.”
Taylor added, “She’s incredibly adorable and just wants to bring joy to everyone. She’s always checking in on you.”
Taylor will forever be grateful to Nellie for her courage and believes she has a bright future ahead, if only someone would give her a chance.
“People quickly assume that Nellie was defending you,” Taylor commented. “And she probably was, because when we’re out for a walk, she’s very attentive to anything or anyone she doesn’t trust.”
Taylor added, “It’s quite touching to think that she would act in that way for me.”
