Main image via People + NBC San Diego + Britannica
Those of us with pets will know that there are many times that we don’t deserve the unconditional love their give us.
One dog in particular showed just how unconditional their love is by pushing his owner out of the way when they were confronted by a venomous rattlesnake.
18-year-old Alex Loredo was bringing in some laundry at his home in San Diego, USA, when he heard the unmistakable sound of a rattlesnake coming from under a table in the garden.
His seven-year-old Labrador, Marley, however, bounded in to save his owner and quickly pushed Alex out of harm’s way, standing between the snake and his human to keep him safe.
“Before I could even turn, Marley had run out the door, pushed me out of the way, and gotten in between the snake and me,” Alex told NBC San Diego.
Image via People
Facing off the venomous reptile, Marley was unfortunately bit twice – once on his tongue and once on his neck, before the snake slithered off.
“My heart dropped,” Alex shared. “My first thought was, ‘Oh no, I’m going to lose my best friend.”
The owner immediately rushed his beloved pet to the vet.
“It was complete panic,” he said.
“My heart was racing, and I didn’t know what was going to happen next. To be completely honest, I thought he was just going to die in the car.”
Image via LADBible
Though he was rushed to the nearest vet, Marley’s treatment was unfortunately delayed because the vet did not have anti-venom on hand for snake bites.
Alex then drove 25 minutes to the closest pet hospital which luckily had the vaccine that was needed to save Marley’s life.
“I was able to grab Marley and take him inside, after he was bit and there was blood everywhere and Marley just collapsed to the ground crying in pain,” Alex shared on his GoFundMe page.
“I panicked and took him to the nearest veterinarian which was five miles away. The clinic did not have the vaccine and had to rush to the nearest pet hospital which was 25 mins away.”
“Marley’s face started to swell up and he began to start having breathing complications. Blood also began to start pouring from his mouth. I was so scared and tried to keep my cool and think fast because time was not on our side.”
“I was able to call ahead of time to check him in and the technician were there waiting for my best friend,” Alex added. “This was the most horrifying moment of my life not knowing if your best friend was going to make it through.”
Image via NBC San Diego
Marley was kept at the pet hospital for two nights and is now reportedly on the road to recovery.
Though Marley is now home and recovering, Alex shared that the brave Labrador has sustained nerve damage to his tongue and jaw. He is currently on medication and therapy for the bites.
Bravo to Marley for jumping in to save his owner’s life! We hope the good boi gets all the treats he deserves for his heroic actions!
We also hope Marley makes a full recovery!
Do you know any pets who have saved their owner’s life? Share their story with us!
Info via LADBible