A hero can come in all shapes and sizes, and in this case, it came in the form of a Golden Retriever named Todd. Paula Godwin and her dogs were out hiking near 7th Street and Carefree when the unexpected happened. Without any warning, Paula almost stepped on a rattlesnake that was well-camouflaged.

Fortunately, Todd was alert and quickly jumped in front of his owner, taking the bite for her. Paula’s quick thinking saved the day, as she picked up Todd and rushed him to the Animal Hospital at Anthem to receive anti-venom. “I had to get to the hospital like super fast, so I picked Todd up, told Copper to follow me down the hill and ran down the hill,” said Paula. “He totally saved me from being bit, and he’s my hero.” Thanks to Todd’s bravery and Paula’s quick reaction, a potentially deadly situation was avoided.

Todd’s heroic actions did not go unnoticed. The Arizona Diamondbacks honored him during their “heroes week,” inviting him to walk on the field during one of their games. Todd is now being hailed as a true hero, and Paula is grateful for his loyalty and bravery.

It’s incredible to see how dogs can be so in tune with their owners and willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect them. Todd’s bravery is a testament to the unbreakable bond between dogs and their humans.