This is Rex, today is his seventh birthday and on September 16th, his life, along with his sister’s, is scheduled to be taken.

Davidson County, Tennessee, has Rex and his littermate currently labeled as "vicious," and with  an ET (euthanasia) order likely to be granted, their lives now depend on the voices of advocates who have read their story and witnessed their stable temperaments. 

They are both facing the chance of being euthanized over a dog fight that hasn’t even been proven to be their fault.  In fact, the altercation was only speculated to have been instigated by one dog, yet two innocent lives are being condemned with the ultimate consequence. 

I’ll be the first to acknowledge that there are situations where behavioral euthanasia is truly necessary, but I cannot understand how the verdict for this specific situation could be considered just.

Rex has been in my care for the last 14 days. Any experienced behavior modification trainer can attest to one common denominator: the first two weeks of working with a dog in crisis are often the most challenging, emotionally draining, mentally demanding, and at times, truly dangerous.…But Rex and Roxy? They have literally been a breeze compared to some of the intensive cases I’ve had the pleasure of working in my career. 

They have made the crucial bonding and trust-building phase of my program a beautiful, deeply rewarding experience for us.  Rex has not shown signs of unprovoked aggression, (the hallmark of a truly dangerous dog.) He is not dangerous when handled properly. He is a misunderstood, under-socialized dog finally getting his very first shot at learning what trust, and accountability feels like, and Roxy? She’s a sweet, anxious girl, beginning to discover her own confidence apart from her brother’s lead.

Rex is a working-line German Shepherd who was never given the tools, training, or structure his breed requires. He never received proper outlets for his mental and physical drive, nor the guidance to learn how to coexist with other animals and humans. Rex spent much of his first six years as an outside dog without the outlets or structure a working-line shepherd truly needs, 

As Rex’s trainer and advocate, I can tell you with absolute certainty: he is not the “vicious” dog he’s being labeled as. He is a sweet boy currently being failed by the system, but blossoming beautifully now that he’s been given the opportunity to learn. At first, he was hesitant and unsure, not because he was aggressive, but because no one had ever shown him how to be safely and confidently led. 

Working-line shepherds need structure and leadership, and once given that, Rex has begun to thrive. In just two weeks, his progress has been remarkable. His true nature is shining through: loyal, intelligent, eager to learn, and, truthfully, the biggest softy and scaredy cat you’ll ever meet.

To take their lives now would not only be cruel, it would erase all the progress we have fought so hard to make. Dogs like Rex and Roxy don’t need death sentences. They need advocates. They need proper handling. They need second chances.

So we’re asking you: please stand with us. Sign and share to save Rex and his sister Roxy. Your voice can help rewrite their story, and be part of the change the dog world deserves.