Yesterday evening at 6 PM, the kids went outside to play in the backyard with Copper, just like they always do.
But this time, something terrifying happened.
Copper was bitten directly on the nose by the rattlesnake, and the entire family has spent the last several hours in tears, terrified of losing him.
Hunter rushed him straight to the emergency veterinarian, where the bills immediately reached thousands of dollars and had to be paid upfront.
After hours of treatment, the vets finally allowed Copper to go home, telling us we brought him in just in time.
He was barely responsive. His body temperature had dropped, and while some of his vital signs looked stable, others were extremely concerning.
The same uncertainty appeared in his blood work, which was repeated every two hours. Some of his organs were not functioning as they should.
Copper needed surgery, heavy sedation, strong pain medication, and multiple doses of antivenom. The doctors warned us that he might not survive the night.
They told us they had done everything possible, but the snake bite could still prove fatal.
All night long, Hunter and I took turns watching over him. We checked his vitals, helped him walk, comforted him, and reminded him how loved he is.
We kept him warm on a heated blanket, surrounded by layers of blankets, hoping he would keep fighting.
This morning, we are incredibly grateful to say that Copper is still with us and doing better. However, he is not out of danger yet.
The swelling is continuing to increase, and his heart rate and body temperature are higher than when he was first released.
My heart breaks thinking about what happened. I am beyond thankful it wasn’t one of the children.
Copper ran ahead of them, stepped between them and the snake, and did exactly what he has always done — protect his “little humans.”
I wish he never had to take that bite. I wish he hadn’t gotten so close. Right now, my mind feels overwhelmed, and all we can do is wait and hope for the best.
Copper will return to the vet for more tests and monitoring. Our beloved German Shorthaired Pointer is more than just a pet — he is a hero.
He protected our children from a dangerous rattlesnake and suffered the consequences himself.
We are doing everything possible to give Copper the care he needs, but the cost of emergency treatment, medications, and continued monitoring has become overwhelming.
The veterinary bills have already reached $3,000 and continue to rise as he needs additional care. Any support will go directly toward Copper’s medical expenses and recovery.
After everything he has done to protect our family, we want to give him the same love, care, and protection he has always given us. Copper is fighting, and we are fighting right alongside him.
