Rex

Rex died last night, 15 minutes after his 17th birthday ended at midnight. He was struggling starting in the afternoon so as I fed him his birthday cheeseburger, I felt that it could be his last meal. He sure enjoyed it!

We got Rex so long ago, from a pet store in Westloop. Don’t judge, this was way before we were even aware of puppy mills. We frequently went there to get supplies for the guinea pigs. It was some months after losing the Sheltie that the kids grew up with, Allie dog. Rex was this tiny little fluff ball, about six pounds. Leah and Joel were with me. We left the store and called Scott who was away at a soccer tournament and then called our brother in law, Kevin, who was a vet, who assured us that Shih Tzu’s make great pets. We went back and brought him home.

Hannah was playing in a soccer tournament in Wichita. We called her and allowed her to name him since she hadn’t been there when we chose him. She said, “I wanted a big dog so I’m going to name him a big dog name, Rex.” We took Rex in a box with us to the tournament to meet Hannah on the sidelines. Our friends Pam and Sarah, also playing in the tournment brought their brand new puppy that day, a Great Dane. He lived for 7 years.

My earliest memories of Rex were a tiny fur ball pushing around a giant soccer ball in circles with his little nose both out at Anneberg and at Joel’s birthday party. We tried to have him sleep with Leah but he cried in the night so we put him in a carrier and he slept on my bed with my fingers in the cage to comfort him. He used to make little noises with his mouth like he was nursing. He did that for years. He slept in my bed for the entire rest of his life. The kids and Scott loved him, but he quickly became my dog. Shih Tzu’s tend to be one person dogs. Rex would cuddle up in my arms for awhile but he preferred to sleep at my feet or pressed against my legs. He tried to sleep on my head when it was storming outside. Rex always had to be on the bed with me not matter what, if I was sick, napping, sleeping, etc. He followed me around, even into the bathroom, and sat next to me on the couch, nearby while I was bathing, watching me use the bathroom.

When Rex was young, he was a runner. We tried and tried to train him not to do that but the kids would worry and chase him and he learned it was a game. He spent hours running around the neighborhood and the woods across the street eventually coming home covered in cockle burs that had to be taken out one by one. I once watched Rex chase after a rabbit right in front of the tires of a car that screeched to a stop to avoid hitting him. We all panicked while he was out running. We’d pray and watch for him but there wasn’t a whole lot more we could do.

When Rex was about 5, we got another Shih Tzu, Professor, who was Leah’s dog and lived with us for two years and then during the school year for 4 more years. Rex didn’t love Professor, just tolerated him. Professor desired more affection than Rex. Professor died about 4 years ago at the age of 7.

Rex was there for me through all life’s difficulties, illness, surgeries, storms, arguments, cancer. He was always on the bed, couch or by my side.

We were blessed to have such great vet care. For most of his life, Rex saw my brother in law, Kevin. Kevin did his neuter, an eye surgery, and all his shots. It made for a fun day to go to Perry for our check ups.

Several years later, we got Diego. Rex was not too happy about that, either. Diego was smaller than Rex when we got him and was supposed to turn out to be about Rex’s size, 16 pounds, but grew to a full 42 pounds. He used to play roughly with Rex and run over him when he was in the way but as Rex got older, Diego became more careful with him and left him alone. They often ate or drank together and very occasionally cuddled up.

Rex became ill about 4 years ago. He went through strokes and seizures that were later diagnosed as heart attacks and congestive heart failure. We’ve had his euthanasia scheduled several times. I created a facebook page for him to gather memories in anticipation of his death. But he kept pulling through. Dr. Deb at Konza was so amazing and perscribed meds that gave us another 4 years with him.

Yesterday Rex had trouble breathing again. I knew it was his heart. I quickly did his birthday party cheeseburger video and called the vet. She suggested I increase one of his meds and I did. He rested and struggled next to me on the couch. At midnight, I took him out to pee and left him out just for a minute. When I returned, he was passed out. I brought him inside and held him as he went through the process of dying. Scott was standing there helplessly patting me. Hannah was on the phone reassuring me that the process was normal. It was so hard but I was so thankful that I was there holding him and that I didn’t have to make the difficult decision.

Please go to his facebook page, Rex Clark, for more photos and to share your favorite memories of Rex. We will all miss him terribly, but me, most of all.