I am sorry to hear of your loss. I know how much a dog means to all of us, they really do become part of the family.
Reb and I were texting last night regarding our experiences with snakes. He has more of them than I do naturally, but he is also used to being around them. He has been bit by a copperhead before and seen and killed lots of venomous snakes- rattlers, cottonmouths, and copperheads. We don't have cottonmouths here, but we do have rattlers and copperheads.
Reb if you want to post some pics of your dog, I would love to see them. If not, that's cool.
I personally believe that our pets go to heaven. If I go there, it wont be heaven for me without Brandy.
I am praying for you and your dog.