A few months ago, a Reddit user shared a touching video that quickly captured the hearts of many. The video showed two dogs comforting their anxious brother, a story that resonated deeply with viewers.
In this heartfelt clip, we see a small Shih Tzu named Huxley and a white, deaf dog named Winnie offering solace to their larger sibling, Rex—a mix of English and French Mastiff. Rex has endured severe anxiety due to a traumatic past, having been mistreated by multiple abusive owners.
From Trauma to Trust: Rex’s Journey
Photo Credit: r/aww/
A study by the University of Helsinki in Finland sheds light on how common anxiety is in dogs, especially those who have faced abuse. The research, which included 13,715 pet dogs from Finland, revealed that 72.5% displayed anxiety-like behaviors.
Rex’s journey is a testament to this. His current owner, who is Rex’s fourth, shared that Rex was cruelly mistreated by his second owners, who used shock collars and physical punishment. This led to deep-seated fears—of loud noises, brooms, even clapping. These owners, alarmed by Rex’s anxiety-driven behaviors, even considered euthanizing him.
Rex’s third home was no better fit, as his anxiety and fear-based aggression made it difficult for him to integrate. Finally, he found his forever home with his current owner, who has dedicated the last 2.5 years to helping Rex heal.
Rex has made remarkable progress. Though he still battles anxiety, he now spends time with his dog siblings and human family members. “With anxiety, dogs tend to avoid what scares them, wanting to escape the situation as quickly as possible,” Rex’s owner shared with Newsweek. “Rex was my first dog post-divorce, so in a way, we’ve both been helping each other.”
A Bond Beyond Words
Photo Credit: r/aww/
The video beautifully illustrates the love Rex’s siblings have for him. Sensing his anxiety, Huxley and Winnie rush to comfort him with affection. But this bond goes deeper than meets the eye.
Huxley, the fearless and friendly Shih Tzu, is simply happy to be part of this loving family. Winnie, on the other hand, relies heavily on Rex. Being deaf, she has formed a special connection with him, following him everywhere.
Rex, despite his vocal nature and occasional growls of fear, has adapted to Winnie’s needs. He even assists her, becoming her ears and helping her understand the world around her. Their bond has played a crucial role in Rex’s recovery, helping him come out of his shell.
This trio’s unique connection has captured the admiration of many, garnering nearly 21K upvotes on Reddit. “This story brings me so much joy. Winnie, Rex, and Huxley are my current favorite beings. And kudos to you for providing them with such a loving home,” commented one Reddit user.
Rex’s story is a powerful reminder that, after all he’s been through, he finally found the love and support he deserves with his incredible family.
“I’ve always said I’m really lucky to have such a cool dog,” his owner said with pride.
