Rex was always living on borrowed time.

Many of the animals at Team Leo Animal Rescue are.

And while Internet fame meant nothing to this sweet boy, his face and his final years living with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) alongside a most unlikely best friend inspired many people to take in previously unwanted animals and donate to charities that facilitate their care.

Rex was an aging Boxer at 10 years old when he was rescued – he also suffered from debilitating pain in his spine from his DM. His condition led to paralysis and he needed assistance to walk. But thanks to Team Leo, he was a happy rescue, taken off the kill list at a shelter and into their home.

This sweet boy was with his rescuers for 16 months before passing away in 2017, but in that time he met Smores – and the two were inseparable.

It might not have been much of a story had “Sidekick Smores” not been a guinea pig.

Just look at this sweet pair – both unwanted animals – comfort each other!

Smores was no typical guinea pig – she too had been rescued.

Holly Walthers, who runs the rescue, described her previous situation as “abusive.”

When Rex’s first friend at the shelter – another boxer with the same condition he had – passed away, Walthers introduced the unlikely pair to see if they might get along and ease some of Rex’s sadness.

She was right. The pair cuddled and ate together from then on out.

The only thing that was tough was taking Smores along on Rex’s walks (or “rolls,” more accurately). But volunteers found a solution.

Rex could not walk without the assistance of a doggie wheelchair, so Team Leo made a little basket that could be affixed to the side so the two could explore the great outdoors side by side.

For over a year, the pair bonded and showed the world that friendship could transcend even species.

The duo even posed for an adorable charity calendar together in 2017.

Then, the inevitable moment came when Rex would succumb to his condition. But the pain it caused him meant that he would be in a better place.

In February of 2017, after 16 months of care, Team Leo posted the following announcement:

“Our hearts are broken as our boy crossed the bridge this afternoon. Sadly his Degenerative Myelopathy finally got the best of him after 16 months with us. Rex had his Bestie, Smores, snuggled next to him as he took his last breath. She stayed with him and gave him lots of kisses as he crossed over the bridge. He went so peacefully that it was hard to believe he was gone. We are so much better because he rolled into our hearts.”

We can only imagine that – despite taking care of animals with medical issues day in and day out – hearts were broken that day and remain a bit tender when they remember Rex.

For her part, “Sidekick Smores” took on the role of friend to other animals – to plenty of dogs and even a rescue kitten named Star!

She is one seriously compassionate caretaker, perhaps doling out the love that she missed out on in the early part of her own life.

Smores crossed the Rainbow Bridge to join Rex in September of 2019.

After over 3 and a half years of being the best companion, she had a heart attack and died quickly.

The volunteers took that moment to remember her special friendship with Rex, noting that despite loving to go on rolls with many canine residents, “Rockin Rex was the BEST driver and her BEST friend.”

It takes an enormous capacity to love and strength beyond imagination to run a shelter like this and we’re blown away by the care Team Leo is able to provide their animals. Not only does giving a sick dog their best life require time and skill but enormous emotional sacrifice.

Saying goodbye happens regularly, but volunteers must carry on for their other pups.

Luckily, the Colorado organization is now officially a 501(c)3 non-profit, so that means it’s easier than ever to show them your support. Any donation you make to one of their fundraisers or directly to their organization will be tax-deductible – and it’ll go towards giving a deserving animal the dignity they deserve in their final months and years.

Be sure to visit their Facebook page to see the heartwarming work they do and scroll down below for a video on Rex and Smores.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Leo Puppy Mill Survivor via Facebook, Team Leo Animal Rescue, Inside Edition via YouTube