Rex
Bradshaw' Prince Regent FDX, JH, CGC, TDI, WCX
June 11, 1991 - December 14, 2003
Rex started his life at our home, one of a litter of nine. His adoptive family returned him to us, and we found that we couldn't part with him a second time. He was ours for life.
He stood 24 1/2 inches tall at the withers and weighed in at 100 lbs. of lean muscle in his prime. In spite of his size, children were drawn to our handsome, gentle giant. For his part, he thought kids were great fun and sought them out whenever possible. He was always most pleased when the children in the neighborhood came to our door and asked, "Can Rex come out and play?"
Rex was an impressive therapy dog for children. The sight of this giant of a boy 'gentling down' to allow a sick young child to hug and pet him was amazing to behold. He really seemed to enjoy making those kids happy more than anything else that he did - except maybe playing with a puppy. To him any child, human or canine, was to be made happy, and to be enjoyed to the fullest.
Rex's large size and late start in flyball training were some of the reasons for his short career. Still, he ran happily, and the sight of him galumphing over the jumps always delighted the children in the audience. When Rex became a demos-only guy he was still a hit with the kids. They really enjoyed seeing him bounding over to lick their faces, letting the other dogs play that silly game while he attended to public relations for the sport.
The contrast between Rex the therapy dog and Rex the duck hunter was amazing. We sometimes thought that duck hunting was as important to him as food (and that says a lot for a Labrador). Few dogs presented as impressive a sight as he did, pushing a large wake while swimming toward a fallen duck in the water. Not a single diving duck escaped him, as he dove under the water to retrieve them. He sometimes came up with both the duck and a mouthful of the seaweed that it was hiding in!
Rex spent his life spreading his brand of good will and protecting us from every threat - whether real or imagined. Twelve and one-half years is a long time for a Labrador to spread such joy to his world, and he was finally ready for a long rest. It is a well earned rest, but we will miss him like crazy.
Sleep well, our gentle giant.
Lorel and Gerry