Meet the brave pooch who saved his owner from being bitten by a rattlesnake

Dogs are the heroes we truly don't deserve. Not only are they always there to help whenever we get ourselves in a scrape, they're also champs in everyday life, consistently there to welcome us when we walk through the door after a hard day and share their favourite toy when we're feeling low.

But recently, one puppy stepped up to the plate in ways that many other dogs could only dream of, saving his owner from being bitten by a venomous snake. Now, that's what you call a good boy!

Paula Goodwin was out with her dogs Todd and Cooper last Friday when disaster struck. The Arizonian woman was walking down the path - enjoying her stroll and admiring "how cute Todd was in his little harness" - when she nearly stepped on a rattlesnake. Luckily though, brave Todd, who is less than a year old, was there to save her and jumped in to save his owner. The puppy was bitten on the face by the reptile for his efforts, leaving his owner injury-free.

Writing about the incident on social media, Paula posted a picture of her pet, showing him with a wound on his swollen face and naming him her "sweet hero".

"So this morning was up bright and early to go on a hike on 7th street carefree," she wrote on Facebook. "It was a beautiful morning but as we were walking down the hill I literally almost stepped on a mf rattlesnake. But my hero of a puppy Todd saved me He jumped right in front of my leg were I surely would have got bit. This is what a hero looks like ?? please say a little prayer for my sweet hero. [sic]"

Her story quickly went viral, accruing nearly 4,500 likes and 1,500 shares on her post, with people on social media claiming they had been touched by the story.

"Poor little sweetheart," wrote Facebook user Jean Pierre Jeannot. "Hope he'll fully recover. Hugs from France". Darla Husen also named Todd a hero, writing "Thank God that he was with you. Keeping him in my prayers for a speedy recovery. He’s a Hero for sure. How’s he doing today? Please keep us updated on him. God Bless you all."

In addition, some people shared their own heroic dog stories, with Shirley Vialpando writing: "Once a very long time ago we had a collie. Got home and he stopped us at the front gate. Growling and refused to let us through. Dad turned the yard light and there were two rattlesnakes just inside the gate. Shep got steak for his next meal."

In the days after the incident, Paula posted again to calm concern and let everyone know that Todd was getting better, writing: "Todd’s doing so well he is a wonder to me how he is healing . Just a thank you to all the support Your kindness and support is truly a blessing ?❤?"

The incident also inspired the Arizonian woman to start a campaign to raise money for other dog owners in the area who were having trouble paying bills after their dogs were bitten by venomous snakes. Not only did Todd do good, he inspired his owner to do good too.

I've asked this question many times before, but seriously, what did we do to deserve dogs?