When burglars busted into a Washington home, the teen inside hid in a closet and took his 2-year-old German shepherd, Rex, with him.
However, Rex broke free and ran downstairs to protect his 16-year-old owner.
As he confronted the burglars, they turned on him and beat the dog bloody, eventually causing Rex to return upstairs.
The burglary continued on downstairs and as they made their way upstairs to where the teen and dog were hidden, Rex took a final stand against them with the little strength he had left.
Rex threw himself at the burglars and was shot four times in the neck, leg and knee.
As authorities arrived on the scene, the thieves ran away and Rex was taken to an animal hospital where he was receiving pain medication, antibiotics and wound care, with round-the-clock monitoring of his vital signs.
He made it through the night, and as he makes his recovery he is being hailed as a hero for protecting his owner.
Family member Susy Cadena started a GoFundMe page for the hospital bill for Rex.
"Our family cannot 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."