A sad goodbye...

Our beloved pet, Rex, was hit by a vehicle today. There wasn't anything the vet could do to help him, so we had to say goodbye to our friend. I know he will be missed by many. He was a very "social" dog and some would even say faithful to church! :) Billy said it's a wonder he's survived this long and that is the truth. He came and went as he pleased and made friends with everyone. Billy even took him to the nursing homes when he would preach! Yes, he went INSIDE the nursing homes...the residents thought he was a hoot. He was the smartest dog I have ever known and the most well behaved. We will miss him welcoming us home. I am glad we have some good stories about him to share, and trust me we have plenty! Where do I begin.... :)

I'll leave you with this one...

The below picture is a little blurry because it's a framed picture and classified ad that I scanned. It reads "FOUND: DOG. Mr. Stain, please come by or call Animal Care Veterinary Center. We have found Rex. (number listed)" It was in the classifieds of the local paper in November 2003. Billy's cousin, Amber, was reading the paper at work and ran across the ad. I think she thought it was a joke at first and called Billy to tell him. He thought SHE was making it up! For those of you that don't know, the reason Billy got Rex (back in 2001) is because another family at church could not keep him in a fence. He was constantly jumping out so Billy said he would take him. Well, Rex did the same thing to Billy. He could not keep that dog in a fence OR tied to a stake in the ground. It was just impossible! Well, when Billy called the vet's office he was told that Rex had been running around town and a passerby stopped and called him to them. They saw that he had tags and called the vet's office. They didn't have time to take him in themselves so they tied him to a tree and left! ha. Luckily, Rex stayed put until the vet was able to pick him up and take him to safety. I don't remember why the vet's office didn't call Billy, but I guess they had an old phone number. ??

Here he is getting a bath at Billy's old house...

Okay, one more story...

It was not uncommon for Rex to stay gone for a couple of days at a time. He eventually always came back home. When Billy was still a "bachelor", Rex was gone for more than a few days and Billy was beginning to have concern. Then, he got a phone call from an old college buddy...

"Do you still have Rex?"

"Yes, he's been gone for a few days though."

"Well, didn't you move recently?"

"Yes."

"Well, I just passed your old place and I think I saw Rex sitting on the front porch."

Sure enough...Billy drove straight over and there was Rex, ready to welcome him home. He was probably wondering where Billy had been! :)

This is probably the last picture we have of Rex...taken in March with his new friend, Raegen. :)