Nellie has never before been characterized as brave. Up until recently, the most frequently used adjectives to describe the homeless pit bull were timid, fearful, or protective.

However, everything changed when 5-year-old Nellie, a foster child, managed to get in between Jane Taylor, her foster mother, and a rattlesnake while hiking in a Texas state park.

When Nellie was a year old, the Final Frontier Rescue Project, a small volunteer-based organization in Texas, saved her from a California shelter. After that, she spent years moving around between kennels before finally meeting Taylor six months ago.

Nellie arrived to me a little overweight, which made her really cute, Taylor told The Dodo. “We referred to her as “our little potato bag. She was actually in a different form, so we started running with her, and today she weighs 45 pounds.

When Nellie first arrived at her temporary abode, she was scared of loud noises, unfamiliar people, and strange animals. She was wary of being touched by strangers and jealous of her toys. But Nellie started to embrace her new life because of the influence of her foster mother.

Then, on a sunny March day, Nellie showed off how much she had developed.

We ascended this enormous granite dome through a trek.

On our way from the walk back to the car, we were passing through an area that isn’t frequently traveled,” Taylor said. I yelled and stopped after hearing the snake rather than seeing it.

Taylor added, “Before I could even move or turn around, she ran from behind me, and she was on top of the snake. Taylor continued, “There was almost if Nellie was on it saying, ‘I got this one, Mom. Keep going.

Nellie got bit in the face not long into the fight. A fellow hiker dragged the writhing snake away from the hurt dog while covering it with his jacket.

Nellie was immobile and adamantly opposed to walking, so Taylor and her companion picked her up and carried her down the mountain.

When we placed the baby in the car, Taylor recalled, “her eyes were closed, her head was tilted back, and her mouth was open.” Although she wasn’t “awooing” in pain, she was obviously upset.

Taylor said, “I knew I had to get her to the vet as quickly as I could.

Two vials of antivenom were administered to Nellie, along with treatment for the bite site and bed rest. And the brave dog is quickly recovering thanks to everyone’s quick actions.

Taylor continued, “She’s such a difficult dog. Two days later, “she was chasing squirrels again.”

Now that Nellie is recovering, she is prepared to go on and locate a long-term residence.

Nellie needs a more controlled environment in order to feel comfortable, and Taylor is preparing to fly to Hawaii to take care of her ailing parents.

Taylor said, “She’s been decompressing and is now understanding how much fun life can be.” “She just goes crazy whenever we have visitors around,” I said. She recognizes that it is time to play when the dogs show up. She no longer acts possessively since she has so many toys.

She is very kind and only wants to make you happy, Taylor remarked. “She keeps in touch with you constantly.”

Taylor will always be thankful to Nellie for her bravery, and if given the chance, she thinks Nellie has a promising future.

Everyone immediately assumes that Nellie was defending you, Taylor said. And she very well might have since when she’s out for a stroll, she really pays attention to anything or anyone she doesn’t like.

She continued, “It’s extremely sweet to think she would do that for me.