TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — When a venomous Eastern diamondback rattlesnake appeared in the backyard of a 7-year-old Florida girl, her German shepherd came to her rescue, refusing to back down despite multiple snakebites.
And now, hundreds of donors are coming to her family’s rescue, quickly topping the goal of $15,000 Friday on a GoFundMe account to help pay for the antivenin needed to keep the dog alive. As his medical bills went up, so did the goal. But the account has already surpassed a $25,000 goal in just one day.
Molly DeLuca was playing with her 2-year-old shepherd, named Haus, when the snake showed up on
Wednesday. Haus jumped between them and was bitten three times,
suffering damage to his kidneys. Vets are now expecting a full recovery, but he will be spending about a week in the vet hospital’s intensive care unit.
Donya DeLuca says her daughter and the rescue dog they adopted two months ago are inseparable, so she’s not surprised he would risk his life to save her.
The family’s last update on the GoFundMe reads:
“Your generosity astounds me. We honestly don’t know the total cost of Haus’s continued care. It keeps rising – but guess what?!?! That’s because they keep suggesting he will survive!!! I want to assure all of you that any monies we do not use will be given to a great local rescue which I will gain permission to say as soon as I’m able. Without all of your help Haus would be dead. I am so grateful I can’t express it. YOU all are everything that is right with the world!”
