Ileana felt a sudden, sharp ache in her chest as Rex collapsed before her.
Those familiar eyes — the ones that had watched over her with unwavering love and loyalty for years — were beginning to dim. Her father, Mihai, knelt down beside her.
“Sweetheart, I think we need to take him to the vet,” he said gently, but Ileana already understood. She knew what Rex was trying to tell her.
“He waited,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “He waited to see me in my wedding dress.”
At that moment, Constantin, the groom, came down the church steps and knelt beside them despite his formal suit.
“What’s happening?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.
“I think he’s saying goodbye,” Ileana murmured, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Constantin immediately grasped the gravity of the moment. He took Ileana’s hand and softly stroked Rex.
The guests stood in silent reverence, unwilling to disturb this precious farewell.
Then, to everyone’s astonishment, Rex summoned his last bit of strength, stood shakily, walked over to Constantin, and gently licked his hand as if giving his blessing. He returned to Ileana, lay beside her one last time, and quietly passed away.
Tears flowed freely among the guests. No one had expected the wedding day to also be a farewell.
But then, something miraculous occurred.
A pure white dove, glowing softly, descended and perched on Ileana’s shoulder. Its gentle eyes reminded her so much of Rex that she felt a shiver run through her.
“Ileana,” her mother Elena said softly, approaching her, “this is a sign.”
The dove lingered for a moment before soaring upward, circling above the church, and disappearing into the sky.
The wedding continued — but it was no longer just a ceremony. It became a celebration of all forms of love: the love between the couple, and the deep, loyal love that only a pet can give.
Father Adrián adapted his speech to honor what Rex had meant to Ileana.
And as Ileana and Constantin exchanged vows, everyone felt Rex’s presence — watching over them, faithful and loving, even after he was gone.
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