Recently, a Reddit user shared a touching video of his two dogs providing comfort to their anxious sibling, Rex. The video shows Huxley, a small Shih Tzu, and Winnie, a white, deaf dog, gently caring for their big brother, Rex, an English/French Mastiff mix.
Rex’s anxiety stems from a traumatic past filled with abuse and multiple owners. His early experiences left deep emotional scars, making it difficult for him to trust and relax.From Abuse to Love: Rex’s Journey
In the heartwarming clip, you see Huxley and Winnie doing their best to soothe Rex. Their bond is unshakable despite Rex’s struggles with anxiety due to the abuse he endured as a puppy. Now living with his fourth owner, Rex has finally found a family that is helping him heal.
According to a study from the University of Helsinki, dogs are particularly prone to anxiety, especially those that have experienced abuse. Out of 13,715 dogs surveyed in Finland, 72.5% exhibited anxiety-related behaviors. Rex is a prime example of how trauma can shape a dog’s behavior.
Rex’s second owners were especially cruel, using physical punishment and a shock collar, which left him terrified of loud noises, yelling, and even household items like brooms. Sadly, his aggressive reactions to these triggers led his third family to surrender him, despite their efforts to help him.
But Rex’s current owner refused to give up on him. Over the past 2.5 years, they’ve worked tirelessly to rehabilitate Rex, helping him grow and adjust. While he still struggles with anxiety, Rex has made significant progress and now enjoys spending time with his human and dog siblings.
Bound by Love: Rex’s Support System
The video captures the pure love between Rex and his siblings. Whenever they sense his anxiety, Huxley and Winnie rush to comfort him with kisses and cuddles. But their relationship goes beyond just affection.
Huxley is a fearless puppy who loves everyone, and Winnie, who is deaf, relies on Rex as her protector and guide. Despite Rex’s occasional vocal outbursts, Winnie, unable to hear him, remains unfazed and accepts him as he is. Their bond is so strong that Rex has become her ears, helping her navigate the world.
Together, Huxley and Winnie have played a vital role in Rex’s recovery, helping him come out of his shell and find joy in life again. Their story has touched the hearts of many, with the video garnering nearly 21,000 upvotes on Reddit.
One commenter summed it up perfectly: “Winnie, Rex, and Huxley are some of my current favorite people. And you’re pretty awesome, too, for giving these wonderful dogs a happy home.”
After all that Rex has endured, it’s heartwarming to see him finally surrounded by love, patience, and understanding.
References:
- Cohut, M., PhD. (2020, March 10). Many dogs are prone to anxiety, study finds. Medical News Today.
- Salonen, M., et al. (2020). Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59837-z
