Rex

 

On Sept 26 the Watson family dog Rex passes away at the age of 12 (he would have been 13 this coming December).  We all knew it was coming as he has been diagnosed with cancer over a year and half ago but it still felt like it hit us hard and fast.  One day he seemed to be doing well and then bam!  He went downhill fast.  I think however that was a blessing because it didn’t leave us and especially it didn’t leave Brian and Amy (who have been taking care of him while my mom and Lynn are on their mission) guessing when it was time to let him go.

When I first meet Rex I had a lot of anger issues.  I was not happy about my mom and Lynn’s marriage and I didn’t like spending time over at their house.  Rex, who was this cute little fluff ball, help to soften my heart.  He won me over and the amount of love that dog gave me was what I needed.  He is also one of the best dogs I have known.  Oh sure he had his moments of crazy like chewing up the kitchen table leg or gathering up the neighbors newspapers and bringing them all home, but overall he was a good dog that all of us loved.  He helped to teach Molly and my other dog Bosco to swim and then tired to drown them from time to time just to show he was the top dog of the pond. 

 

He was the king of eating whipping cream from a can and and was always first in line when my mom pulled it out.  He loved to chase and hunt squirrels, much to my horror I even witnessed him catching one.   

 

If you grabbed a sharpie marker he would go crazy and start “sneezing” while showing his teeth.   I taught him early on that every time I left I would give him a treat so he was always happy to see me but even happier when it was time for me to leave. 

 

He could play fetch with the best of them.  Most of his toys didn’t last a day but every now and then he let a few of them live…at least for awhile.   He was always so soft after baths and such a good looking dog. 

 

He wasn’t the best at letting me take pictures of him but every now and then I was able to get a few really good ones. 

 

He was good with the little kids and quickly learned they were the ones to sit by during dinner time as they often dropped food. 

 

I would love to try and fool Rex by acting like I was leaving and then hide, he would go nuts tracking me down.  There would be times I would be having a rough day and would sneak out of the house but Rex always noticed and would run after me.  I loved that dog with all my heart.  Through the years Rex went from a deep orange color to having a white face and gray salted hair. 

(this picture isn't Rex, but I love the quote)

 

He slowed down some but if anyone said the word squirrel he would jump up and take off looking for it.  When my mom and Lynn advised us all they were on a mission I worried who would take Rex.  When they went to the MTC a guy in their ward took Rex and I felt sick about it.  I didn’t want him living the last of his days with strangers.  My step brother Brian and his wife Amy came to the rescue and decided to bring Rex to Texas with him.  They have taken care of him for 6 months and I am externally grateful to them.

 

I believe that Rex is now running around pain free on the other side waiting for us.  My only worry is when my time comes he will be excited to see me but more excited to see me go.