Corey had sent George a message, but with each passing second, anxiety bubbled up inside him. “I can’t wait,” he thought. An idea struck him—if George met Rex’s big, soulful eyes, saying no would be impossible. Wasting no time, Corey grabbed Rex and headed straight to George’s house.
As soon as he arrived, Corey began explaining his urgent predicament. He was caught between an impending work trip and the need for someone to care for Rex. “Maybe George could keep Rex for two weeks?” he asked, hope flickering in his eyes. Just then, Zoe, George’s partner, walked in. Corey’s plea was still hanging in the air. Upon seeing Zoe, he turned to her with a warm smile. “Hello, my sweet Zoe,” he said in a soothing tone, clearly hoping she would be easier to convince.
Corey filled Zoe and George in on Rex’s background. He was a retired police dog, well-behaved and friendly. “Dog-sitting him will be a piece of cake,” Corey assured them. Zoe hesitated at first, but after meeting Rex and seeing his gentle eyes, she relented. “Okay, why not?” she said, a soft laugh lighting up her face. Little did she know, welcoming Rex into their home would soon have unintended consequences—especially for her.
Once Zoe agreed, convincing George was easy. They decided to take care of Rex while Corey was away. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Corey practically shouted, relief evident in his voice. George and Zoe laughed. “It’s all good, buddy. Enjoy your work trip; we’ll be fine!” George assured him, unaware of the trouble that lay ahead.
At first, everything went smoothly. Rex seemed to enjoy his new surroundings, and George and Zoe were pleased. But the peace didn’t last long. Not long after Rex’s arrival, George noticed a change in the dog’s behavior.
After just a few days, the initial harmony gave way to tension. Rex, once calm and well-mannered, began acting strangely. Nights were interrupted by his barking, and the eerie sound of claws scratching insistently at the bedroom door filled the house.
George and Zoe, initially excited to have Rex around, grew increasingly worried. According to Corey, Rex had always been calm and obedient, so this sudden shift was both perplexing and concerning. Unable to understand the behavior, George reached out to Corey, hoping for some answers.
George explained Rex’s odd actions over the phone, his voice heavy with worry. On the other end, Corey was equally baffled. Each detail painted a picture of a Rex he hardly recognized. Trying to reassure them, Corey offered a theory: “I wonder if Rex’s stress is because I’m not there. Maybe being in a completely new place with unfamiliar people is upsetting him.”
George and Zoe considered Corey’s words. It made sense—Rex was far from his familiar corners, in a stranger’s home, and missing his usual routine. They decided to be patient, hoping that with time, Rex would adjust and the strange behavior would fade.