A devoted German Shepherd has been shot three times while trying to protects its teenage owner from burglars at their home in Des Moines, Washington.
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The heroic pooch, Rex, attacked the armed intruders while 16-year-old Javier his upstairs in a wardrobe and phoned the police.
Javier's aunt, Susy Cadena, has set up a GoFundMe page to share Rex's story, having managed to raise more than $20,000 (£14,300) to cover the cost of his surgery.
"Today we witnessed the most beautiful and unconditional love," Susy writes on the page.
"Rex the hero dog, a member of our family risked his life and took three gunshots as he protected his human best friend, his master, his brother while their house got vandalized with them inside."
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She continues to explain what happened during the incident, saying that the burglars first cruelly beat Rex before eventually shooting him.
"Rex's instinct to protect his home and his best friend, took him downstairs and he attacked the burglars. Both of the burglars struggled and beat him up with whatever they could.
"Rex stormed back to the upstairs floor all beat up and bloody from the beating to check on his master who was still hiding in the closet.
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"Soon, the burglars proceeded to the upstairs floor and trashed all the bedrooms. As they entered the room where my nephew was hiding in the closet, Rex came out with the little strength he had left in him and threw himself at them as he knew my nephew was in danger.
"Sadly they shot Rex 4 times and finally Rex, the hero dog gave up in his battle. It was the sirens who scared them away."
Susy also explains that Rex's life now depends on a vital surgery, and while her cousin has already paid 'a big sum of money' - as he needed many scans, x-rays and other urgent procedures to stabilise him - more help is desperately needed.
"Every little helps," she adds. "Please, our family can not let Rex the hero dog go without us fighting as hard as he did, to his very last bit of a strength while protecting my nephew."
Speaking to Q13 News, Javier said the whole thing was the 'worst thing' he'd ever seen.
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"I just want to thank my dog," a grateful Javier told reporters.
"If it wasn't for him, I feel like I wouldn't be standing here right now."
Surgeons are due to operate the poor pup this weekend, with fingers crossed all round that it will be a success. C'mon, this one's enough to melt even the coldest of hearts!
Featured Image Credit: Q13 NewsTopics: News, Feels, US News, crime, Animals