In Charlotte County, the family of a beloved six-pound Yorkshire terrier is grieving the loss of life after he was bitten by a rattlesnake while stepping into its path to save his owner.
According to the dog’s owner, Corrye Hatchell, the dog Jack had run outside onto the lanai on Monday when neighbors came over to see a pineapple growing in the family’s backyard.
This morning I took a friend out to show them a pineapple that was growing outside of the lanai. There is an entry door with a doggie door beside it Jack and Jill ran through the pet door as I had my hand on the door to go out and JACK let out a yelp and ran under the avocado tree. His hind legs were already starting to drop. I knew he had been bitten open the door to see a coiled rattler on the pavers outside the door. Had a stepped down I would’ve been the one bitten.
Corrye Hatchell on Facebook
A 4.5 foot long diamondback rattlesnake had been lurking right outside on the porch where Hatchell would have stepped had not Jack jumped in its path. The snake bit him on his left front leg, and the other dog – Jill ran to his side and tried to fight off the snake. Hatchell was soon able to get both dogs inside of the house. The rattler was killed.
In retrospect I realize that JACK actually gave his life for me because had he not yelped I would surely have stepped down beside the snake. This takes on special meaning during Holy week where we celebrate the sacrifice that Jesus made for us that we might be saved and live eternally with him.Thank you Jesus for protecting me and for sharing our wonderful Jack with us.
Corrye Hatchell on Facebook
Corrye rushed his dogs to the vet for treatment, but it was too late for Jack. He didn’t survive. Jill continues to look for him, and the family misses their sweet dog terribly.
JACK only weighed 6 pounds. I called the vet and they said we needed to go to Sarasota which is about 55 minutes away. He died before we got there.
Corrye Hatchell
And so Jack was buried in the back yard and laid to rest under a tree with a cross beside his grave. Rest in peace little hero.
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