Dogs are known as man’s best friend because there is nothing in the world like the loyalty that they show to their human owners. Now, one dog is being hailed as a hero after he put his life on the line to save his teenage owner.

Meet Rex, a two-year-old German shepherd who lives in in Des Moines, Washington with a family that includes 16-year-old owner, Javier Mercado. Rex and Javier were home alone one day when the unthinkable happened: a gang of burglars broke in. Javier immediately ran to hide.

“My nephew hid in the bedroom closet as he frightened, held as hard as he could to his barking dog,” Susy Cadena, Javier’s aunt, wrote on a GoFundMe page that she started for Rex.

Javier tried to hold onto the dog and keep him quiet, but Rex knew he had to take action.

“Rex’s instinct to protect his home and his best friend, took him downstairs and he attacked the burglars,” Susy explained. Sadly, the burglars did not flee when they saw the dog.

“Both of the burglars struggled and beat him up with whatever they could,” Susy wrote. “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.”

Javier and Rex tried to hide, but the burglars finally made their way into the room that they were hiding in.

Though he was injured, the dog went into full attack mode, knowing that he had to fight to save Javier. The burglars shot Rex four times before sirens finally scared them away.

Rex was gravely injured and rushed to the hospital, where he needed surgery to survive.

“Rex’s life depends on a surgery he will need to survive…” Susy wrote. “[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.”

People everywhere were touched by Rex’s story, and within three days, over $58,000 had been raised. This far exceeded their $10,000 goal!

“We have exceeded the goal and we just wanted to assure you that all the money will go toward Rex’s medical expenses and his recovery,” Susy wrote. “Anything left will be donated to institutions and organizations whose mission is to protect our loved pets.”

Javier is incredibly grateful to Rex and will never forget what he did for him.

“I feel like if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here today telling you this story,” he said.

Please keep Rex in your thoughts and prayers!