A dog is being hailed a hero after lunging at his owner’s baby just in the nick of time.
Even at home, we can be exposed to dangers that we never thought could reach us. Luckily for this family in Tennessee, they raised a dog that would not hesitate to protect them even if it meant putting himself in harm’s way.
The Holloways were relaxing outside their home when their little son Bryson hopped off the porch.
The baby was enjoying the feel of the grass on his feet but their dog Shiloh was tense and alert.
“Shiloh jumped up and took off after him,” Bryan Holloway said in one interview. “He lunged right towards the baby and at the baby’s feet, and when he did he kind of jerked back.”
At first, he thought Shiloh was going to attack Bryson.
Little did he know, the loyal canine had just saved his son’s life. Right below Shiloh’s feet was a copperhead snake. If Shiloh didn’t act as quickly as he did, the little boy’s life would’ve been placed in grave danger.
In the United States, copperheads are responsible for more venomous snakebites than any other due to being populous and widespread.
This snake species is also remarkably adaptive and can tolerate living in subdivisions and developed land. This generalist approach to habitat makes their interactions with humans much more common just like what the Holloways experienced.
While their venom is not among the most potent, they still pose a serious threat to the elderly, immunocompromised people, and especially children. Bryson was just 18 months old at that time.
Fortunately for Bryson, Shiloh got to the snake even before it got to him.
But in the end, it was Shiloh who got bitten.
“Turning his head to the side and shaking his head and you could tell he’d been hurt, that the snake had gotten him,” Bryan Holloway told WATE. “As furry as he is, and he has so much fur around his neck, you could visibly see the swelling.”
Shiloh’s protectiveness was not surprising, though, but it was definitely heartwarming.
Bryan shared that the two grew up together and were best friends since Bryson was born. Through their early bond, Shiloh, just like other dogs, has included Bryson in his pack.
This “pack drive” is what makes dogs instinctually protective of their owners, especially with babies which they consider harmless and vulnerable.
Even before the Holloways knew what’s happening, Shiloh’s vigilance stopped a grave event from happening.
Shiloh was given antibiotics and pain medicine to help him through the recovery process and has since been back on his feet. Alicia Holloway told WVLT how thankful she was to have Shiloh in their lives. Since the event, Shiloh has been enjoying additional pets, hugs, treats, and a whole lot of loving – deservingly so, because that’s the kind of love he showed for his little best friend.
“Since Shiloh protected him, I couldn’t love this dog any more, and he’s been babied a whole lot since this has happened because we’re very very grateful for him.” Alicia shared.
Watch how this dog saved his best friend’s life from a terrifying encounter.
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