16 year old teenager, Javier Mercado said how he would't be here today if his brave German shepherd Rex wasn't there to save his life.
They always say that "a dog is a man's best friend". Rex not only proved this phrase to be true, he also took it to a whole new level.
Rex protected his owner in an act of "beautiful and unconditional love". Despite Rex receiving a number of bullet wounds, including one of those bullets in the neck, Rex continued fighting to protect his owner.
Javier Mercado who was from Des Moines, USA was home alone at the time, when he heard a loud shattering of glass coming from downstairs.
Javier soon realized it was burglars so he ran into one of the rooms and hid inside the wardrobe. Whilst inside there, he called the police.
But Rex put his own life at risk and began to tackle the burglars before they could get to his owner. Javier said how he wouldn't be here today if his canine best friend wasn't in the house at the time.
"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be standing here right now.
"I started hearing a lot of barking and then one said, 'it bit me, the dog bit me'.
"My dog cries after each shot, it's just the worst thing I have ever seen.
"They didn't hesitate shooting Rex, they didn't hold back on anything.
"If Rex wasn't there, they would have opened that door and they would have saw me in there."
Although he sustained three gunshot wounds as well as injuring his hind legs, Rex was that determined to protect his owner, he still managed to fend off the intruders. The intruders fled the scene as soon as they heard the police sirens.
Since Javier recieved Rex as a gift, he has always been a protective dog. But now the tables have turned and it is the family's turn to look after Rex.
After the incident, hero Rex started to receive treatment. The problem is, extra funds are still needed to ensure he makes a full recovery.
An incredible $58,096 has been raised by the family in just three days. $10,000 was the initial goal, but to their surprise, they more than exceeded that!
Susy Cadena who is Javier's aunt, wrote on the GoFundMe page : "Today we witnessed the most beautiful and unconditional love.
"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...
"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...
"Rex’s life depends on a surgery he will need to survive."
If you want to track the progress of Rex's recovery, you can visit his Facebook Page and check on his progress. Let's hope this amazing animal makes a full recovery.