Vandy was just hours from being euthanized in a Dallas shelter when Austin Boxer Rescue stepped forward and took her in. From there, she went to stay with the McArthur family, who regularly foster Boxers.

It was while staying with the McArthurs that the five-years-old rescue dog saved 16-month old Dillon from a deadly rattlesnake. 

Vandy had been living with the McArthurs for nearly a month when one evening the family was in the backyard. Darryl McArthur was prepping the grill to make dinner and a few minutes later he noticed something moving in the grass near where McArthur's dog, Vandy and Dillon were playing. 

The dogs and the baby all moved toward the object but Darryl yelled at everyone to stop. The family dog and Dillon stopped, but Vandy moved in front of the baby between the snake and the boy. When Darryl saw the snake he got everyone in the house and killed the snake.

At first he thought everyone was OK but almost immediately Vandy's mouth began to swell up - she had been bitten. The family immediately took Vandy to the emergency vet clinic for treatment with anti-venom and she luckily survived.  

Austin Boxer Rescue wrote: "We believe that Vandy sensed danger with that snake and knowingly placed herself between the baby and the danger. Boxers are known to be exceptionally protective of children and Vandy's foster family says that she is very in love with this toddler and follows him around all day. We would have never guessed when we "saved" this sweet girl that she would soon return the favor! We are so grateful that Vandy was there to protect that baby."

For the family, Vandy's heroism reinforced for them how important it is to foster rescue dogs and they plan to continue so they can help save more dogs like Vandy. Thankfully, a few months after her brave actions, Vandy was adopted. 

• Boxer
• Austin Boxer Rescue
• rattlesnake