Not to downplay the warm-fuzzies that a foster family gets from taking in a homeless dog, but sometimes, that’s the best you get when you foster. A Texas foster family got the warm fuzzies, and so much more from their foster dog, Vandy, last Tuesday.
Vandy, a Boxer, had narrowly escaped being euthanized at an over-crowded DFW shelter. The lucky dog was given a last minute reprieve by the Austin Boxer Rescue, and happily, wound up with a loving foster family that lives in Pflugerville.
It didn’t take the lucky dog long to prove that hers was a life worth saving. On Tuesday evening, her foster family was outside in the yard. The dogs were playing with the family’s 1 yr-old toddler when Vandy’s foster dad noticed something moving in the grass. Intrigued by the motion, the dogs and toddler began moving towards the slithering creature.
Vandy’s foster dad quickly ordered everyone to stop, but the family dog was the only one to obey the command. Foster dog Vandy reacted quite differently – she placed herself in between what was later discovered to be a rattlesnake, and the toddler.
Everyone was shuttled to safety inside of the home and the foster dad got rid of the rattlesnake. The initial thought was that disaster had been averted, but Vandy’s swelling face and lethargy indicated that wasn’t the case. The heroic dog had been bitten and the toxins were coursing through her body.
A rushed trip to the emergency vet, IV fluids and anti-venom saved Vandy’s life. Her vet bills are in excess of $1400, but she is well enough to be back at her foster family’s home.
Vandy is still up for adoption at the Auston Boxer Rescue. You can visit the website if you would like to learn more about this beautiful, heroic dog, or if you would like to make a donation towards the vet expenses that her heroic act incurred.