REX
(Photo courtesy of Apertome)
Ever since I could remember, I hated dogs. I’m not sure how I felt about them when I was younger, but in my teens, a dog away from me was a good dog.
My mother inherited a dog when I was fourteen. His named was Rex. From day one, I hated the dog and he hated me.
He growled every time I passed him on my way out of the house. And he barked when I returned. Most nights he slept on the front porch. Honestly, I think he did that to prevent me from coming in. Stupid mutt.
The routine – I walked past, he cut his eyes and let out a low growl; I would do the same. We understood each other. There would never be any love lost between us.
One night, after two months of this routine, I passed him as he lay curled up on the porch – he didn’t growl. Nope; he got up, left the porch and began following behind me as I rode away on my bike.
That dog…no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t chase him away. I threw everything but the kitchen sink at him, he just wouldn’t go home. So I jumped back on my bike and tried to outrun him. He was way too fast.
When we got home Rex followed me up the steps and into the house. I sat down to watch TV; there at my feet lay Rex.
From that night on, everywhere I went, Rex followed. I soon gave up trying to sneak off without him – he was just too smart.
Every time I rode my bike, it was just me and my buddy, Rex.
One Saturday morning, Rex wasn’t sleeping by the front door or out on the front porch.
“Mama, where’s Rex?”
“He’s on the back porch.”
Sure enough, he was kinda sitting, kinda lying down.
“Come on boy, let’s go.”
He sat for a minute, turned those sad brown eyes at me and slowly crawled under the porch.
I called more times than I can remember, but he just wouldn’t come out. Maybe he’s tired I thought. So I let him be. I rode off with my friends.
When I got home, Rex was still under the porch.
“Mama, Rex won’t come from under the porch.”
My mother’s eyes went soft. “Baby, I think Rex died.”
While I was out riding around, the dog I came to love died. I will never forget that moment and I will never forget Rex.
For our GOOD FRIDAY, come back and read a heartfelt short story I penned and published for Rex. For now, tell us your most heartwarming story about your four legged best friend. And, as always, keep your head up.
Cop A Squat 
So touching…thank you.
Thank you for your comment and liking this post. Please come back Friday and read the story I penned and published for Rex.
This was an amazing and heartfelt story. Thank you for sharing with us. It truly taught me we can learn from everything and everyone. He did not give up, amazing!
Thank you Kimberly.
Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your transparency in sharing this story. Be well, Ayanna Nahmias
You are welcome. And thank you for being so kind. Take care, Paul Worthington
I’ve heard of the Horse Whisperer, and even of a Dog Whisperer. But a Human Whisperer? Sounds like Rex knew you better than you did. Almost as if he was sent. And maybe so, I don’t know. But I do know one thing. His name was “Zebo”, and her name was “Sugar”. Zebo got sick, and died. Sugar walked into the room where I was watching TV and looked up at me and I knew, that it was time. i picked her and laid her on the couch, her eyes could barely see. With my arms around her, and holding her paws, my wife told her; “it’s ok Sugar. you can go.” And with a final breath, she turned her head and died.
Putting them in the ground was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. And friend gone, is a terrible loss. Yet, I’ve never felt so helpless, and hopeless, as watching Sugar die as there was absolutely nothing I could do. “Why God? Why?”
my Sincerest Condolences to you, Sir. …I hate dogs too.
I’ve heard of the Horse Whisperer, and even of a Dog Whisperer. But a Human Whisperer? Sounds like Rex knew you better than you did. Almost as if he was sent. And maybe so, I don\’t know. But I do know one thing. His name was ”Zebo”, and her name was ”Sugar”. Zebo got sick, and died. Sugar walked into the room where I was watching TV and looked up at me, and I knew, that it was time. i picked her and laid her on the couch, her eyes could barely see. With my arms around her, and holding her paws, my wife told her; ”it’s ok Sugar. you can go.” And with a final breath, she turned her head, and died.
Putting them in the ground was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. A friend gone, is a terrible loss. Yet, I’ve never felt so helpless, and hopeless, as watching Sugar die, as there was just absolutely nothing I could do. ”Why God? Why?”
my Sincerest Condolences to you, Sir. …I hate dogs too.
Thank you for your condolence. And please accept my deepest condolence on your lost of Zebo and Sugar.
Yes, you’re right, I was a dumb kid and old Rex no doubt knew me more than I could have known myself. It’s amazing, after all these years I still think of him. I wrote a short short story, titled DOGGONE, in Rex’s honor for our Friday’s post. Please check it out when you get a chance. Once again, thank you for your kinds words.
Aw, poor Rex, and poor you! I have gone through this with my husband’s 16 year old cat, Boris. I absolutely despised him, until we moved to a much smaller place, and I knew I’d be spending more time with him. Boris and I gradually warmed up to each other, and now, I’m happy to say, we’re old friends. He’s still a shy, reclusive kitty and my German short-haired pointers seem to think he’s a squirrel, but we’re all living happily together. Pets definitely have personalities, and I guess I misread old Boris!
Thank you for your kind words. Happy to hear you and Boris have become friends. Yeah, because of their fickle personalities they can sometimes be hard to read,
Awww. Dogs do have a way of growing on you huh? I definitely wasn’t friends with mine when we first met. He wouldn’t stop jumping on me and I couldn’t stop freaking out. Then one day I realized he just wanted to hug. Kinda weird but he does that every time someone else hugs me…that goofy little guy…
They definitely have a way of growing on you. And when they become your friend you are friends for life. Thank you for your kind words.
I still hate poodles! I was bitten in the face by one when I was 3 😦
Sorry to hear about your attack. Yeah, dogs are so unpredictable. Thank you for your comment.
My first dog had a cruel death. I was in another city when i knew about it. I thought about not having another dog again. But 4 years ago, someone left a dog on the porch of my house. My brother didn’t want him but I would never put him out. I love dogs!
Sorry to hear about your dog.
It was so kind of you to take in a dog someone didn’t want.
Even thought it has been many years I still think about Rex.
Thank you for your comment.
It’s a bit difficult to forget.
You’re welcome!