34lb Eskimo dog kills 63" Rattlesnake

[yamagrl]

Last Saturday, Bella, our 34 lb Eskimo Dog went to battle with a 5'3" Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake right in the middle of our backyard. This mature snake had lost it's rattle... It was basically a silent killer living in our neighborhood.

 

 

Bella was bitten 4 times... on her snout, ear, arm and inside of her mouth. She too, inflicted several (4) fatal bites... 2 of which broke the snakes spine, 1 penetrated it's intestinal tract.

 

We had been out to breakfast for about 2 hours. When we came home and discovered the situation, Bella was deep under a fairly good-size shed. We had to cut the floor out with a circular saw to rescue her. At the Animal Emergency Hospital she received 2 vials of Antivenin but did not recover. Minutes before passing she gave us a hearty tail-wag

 

She was a fierce warrior! She laid down her life and because of it our neighborhood is a safer place...

 

...But still... I miss my friend...

 

In Bella's honor I have skinned the snake and it is in tanning solution. I will post a photo when it is complete.

[dingy]

Sorry Heather.

 

Gary

[cowpuc]

OH my goodness!!!! My most sincere condolances to you guys for your loss. Your friend and protector was a true hero! Losing a family member is a terrible thing, I am praying for you folks and, with time and Gods grace, hope you find peace in your hearts knowing Bella saved someones life!!

Bella, THANK YOU precious for your valor and courage, showing once again that Dogs ARE truely man's best friends!

Puc

[Squidley]

Sorry as well to hear about it Heather, but what a brave warrior Bella was. You have a lot to be proud of with her

[Phoneman1981]

Heather: So sorry to hear of your loss. Darn fine dog!!!!!!

[Yammer Dan]

That dog probally saved somebody. Great job Bella. R.I.P.

[bongobobny]

What a wonderful yet tragic story! So very sorry for your loss, pets are not just pets, they are family members!

[stickhandle2]

Very sorry for your loss, but what an incredible thing she did. Yup they aren't just pets.

[naturbar]

Your story reminds me of a fitting scripture..." Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends". Your wonderful dog is indeed a hero & warrior.

[1joeranger]

I am convinced that my RSTD will be waiting for me when I arrive in heaven. I cannot imagine Bella not being there waiting on you!!

[leo3wheel]

Sorry for your loss...

[CaptainJoe]

Heather, sounds like you had a fine friend there. She will be missed.

 

If I were you, I'd make a belt out of that durn rattler:

 

http://purecajunsunshine.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-skin-snake-and-make-beautiful.html

 

[Oldodge]

What a beautiful dog. Sorry for your loss.

[RandyR]

Good dogs live on in our hearts.

 

I have to wonder if Bella got the snake's tail on a previous encounter?

[Evan]

Yes, what a sad as well as beautiful story. Even though I am passionate about horses, there is no other companion that compares to a good dog and it sure seems like Bella was just that.

 

 

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[Aussie Annie]

Well done girl, and you won the battle R.I.P.

[Wade 2000]

Sorry you lost your brave companion..R.I.P.

[crazygaucho]

very sorry for your loss

[Hummingbird]

It matters not what caused the loss, the fact is a family member has passed

 

my condolences to you and your family

[yamagrl]

Good dogs live on in our hearts.

 

I have to wonder if Bella got the snake's tail on a previous encounter?

 

Maybe so, or it may have been lost in the fight. I'm certain that rattler was slung aroung quite violently.

[yamagrl]

Last Saturday, Bella, our 34 lb Eskimo Dog went to battle with a 5'3" Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake right in the middle of our backyard. This mature snake had lost it's rattle... It was basically a silent killer living in our neighborhood.

 

 

Bella was bitten 4 times... on her snout, ear, arm and inside of her mouth. She too, inflicted several (4) fatal bites... 2 of which broke the snakes spine, 1 penetrated it's intestinal tract.

 

We had been out to breakfast for about 2 hours. When we came home and discovered the situation, Bella was deep under a fairly good-size shed. We had to cut the floor out with a circular saw to rescue her. At the Animal Emergency Hospital she received 2 vials of Antivenin but did not recover. Minutes before passing she gave us a hearty tail-wag

 

She was a fierce warrior! She laid down her life and because of it our neighborhood is a safer place...

 

...But still... I miss my friend...

 

In Bella's honor I have skinned the snake and it is in tanning solution. I will post a photo when it is complete.

 

Thank you to each and everyone who has viewed and/or replied. Your condolences, comfort and sympathetic understanding has been welcome and frankly... very much needed. Thank you sooo very much.

 

For those of you who are not familiar with the breed, it is actually the German Spitz. The breed name was changed during WW2. They really have no other connection to America or Eskimos.

 

As the evolution of dog breeds go, they are still relatively primitive. They were bred down out of the larger Nordic breeds for companionship, warmth (sleeping with), burglar-alarm and bodyguard. And they are pretty good at it. When challenged, they can be fierce...such as a badger or a wolverine.

 

But for sleeping with, they are just about like any other pillow... flip it over, flop it around, throw it off if it's in the way... whatever. They are also extremely clean with virtually no smell, not even much "wet-dog" smell.

 

But some can be temperamental.

 

...still... I miss my friend...

[Phillip Sisk]

The more i know about people,the more i like my dog. Dog people are really special. Sorry for your loss. The pain is real. Phil S.

[yamagrl]

The more i know about people,the more i like my dog. Dog people are really special. Sorry for your loss. The pain is real. Phil S.

 

Yep. I have kids and I have dogs... dogs are better!

 

Sent from my moto X

[bossman]

Was saddened to hear this. They do become a part of the family don't they. We had a female Brindle pit show up at our door 4 years ago pretty well beat up. We took her to vet and ended up keeping her. She is such a gentle dog which surprises me as I am sure she went through he** by the looks of her. Son in law had a male pit, we bred them and had the cutest pups. Could not find a home for 3 of them so ended up keeping them also. Was not going to take them to the pound. So now we have 4. My condolences:(.