It’s easy to forget sometimes that dogs are animals, prone to instinctual behavior and indifferent attitudes. As a result, it can be even more heartbreaking when an owner realizes their pet might not be the right fit for their household.
Such was the case with Catherine Svilicic, whose family had adopted a Doberman that had been abandoned by his previous owners.
She knew she needed to be careful when introducing a new animal to her children, but the dog appeared so loving and kind with her 17-month-old daughter that she let them play together in the garden.
The Doberman, named Khan, had been beaten and starved by his previous owners to such an extent that putting him down had been discussed. He had broken ribs when he was discovered back in 2007, and taken to Doberinling Boarding Kennels.
The Svilicic family were intent on taking him in though, and so adopted him. Then, merely four days after he had become a part of their family, he was involved in a truly shocking incident.
There is always a risk when you take in an abused dog and you have young children in the house.Children are unpredictable, move fast and interact with animals in unexpected ways. How the animal will react based on its previous experiences could have heartbreaking consequences.
Khan had only been with the family for four days when mom Catherine Svilicic found Khan acting aggressively toward her 17-month old daughter Charlotte.
Catherine had allowed Khan to play in the garden with her daughter, but the dog became suddenly aggressive and started pushing the little girl around the lawn. The horrified Catherine had no time to react, and watched on as Khan then took things further by lifting little Charlotte by her diaper and tossing her across the yard.
“Khan was really concentrating and was acting aggressive towards Charlotte and kept trying to nudge her but it wasn’t working, so he grabbed her by the back of the nappy (diaper) and threw her more than a meter (3.2 feet).” Catherine told The Advertiser newspaper.
Instantly, Catherine ran to her little girl. It was only then that she spotted why Khan had acted so aggressively…
”Charlotte looked pretty shocked and then Khan screamed.”
“I realized quickly it was a snake and Khan had been trying to get in between her and the snake before he threw her.”
Ran inside and collapsed
This hero of a dog had spotted a snake coming dangerously close to Charlotte and had got in his way, taking the snake bite to save the toddler.
After Khan was bitten he ran inside the house and collapsed. He was rushed to the nearest veterinary clinic where he was given a shot of anti-venom and it was touch and go whether he would make it through the night.
Thankfully he survived his ordeal and was enjoying a large breakfast the next morning, his family told the Australian publication.
Now his family treat this hero hound like a king and will be forever in his debt for saving their sweet Charlotte.
“If Khan wants a gold bowl, Khan gets it. We owe him for the rest of his life,’’ she said.
Most dogs are just looking for love and no matter how badly they have been treated in the past when they find it, they’ll guard it with their lives.
Please share to pay tribute to all our devoted four-legged friends.
