While we are aware that all dogs have the fundamental impulses to eat and survive, each dog has different goals and needs that go beyond these.
Some dogs are raised to carry out instinctual jobs to keep others safe. And some are just born heroes, willing to jump in and save the day at any cost.
Zeus’ awareness of danger first surfaced when he was just 8 months old. While a couple mourns his passing, they will always be grateful to him for defending their children.
The little pit bull was acting abnormally while playing outside in the yard of the family’s house in Sumter County, Florida.
He began tossing what seemed to be a rope about in his teeth as if trying to get rid of it. He then collapsed on the ground and began looking unwell.
The brave Zeus stepped in to save the boy as he realized a coral snake was advancing on him.
Pit Bull dies after saving kids from aggressive snakehttps://t.co/e4Ni0lWTk1 pic.twitter.com/GCv89n684f
— Elysia (@TrngHon06993746) October 2, 2022
Coral snakes are extremely poisonous, and if bitten, the victim’s breathing muscles may become paralyzed. Even though there is typically just minor pain, respiratory collapse can happen quickly.
Dad Gary Richardson shared: “All of a sudden, he started attacking the snake which was close to my son and he was bit four times. I knew when he first came in that something was wrong and (it) was very traumatic because I knew he was dying.”
While the father stayed at home with the children, mom Gina hurried Zeus to the doctor. Gary said, “We just knew the anti-venom was going to work.”
Zeus was bitten by a snake, and despite their prompt action in taking him to the vet, he still died from the poison.
Zeus, according to Gina Richardson, was a “part of the family,” and his passing “just killed us,” she added.
She revealed to FOX 35 that her kids did not have a chance to say goodbye to their furry friend before he passed away on her son’s birthday, who he had saved.
The breed of pitbull, according to Gina, does have a poor image, but if they are aggressive, it’s mostly because they have been abused, she said, “If you treat them right, they would give their life for you and I owe my son’s life to him.”