In Memoriam – Rexford "Rex" Rajah, IV 2004-2007

The staff of Cesar Millan, Inc. this month mourns the passing of a beloved member of our extended family.

Sired by American Kennel Club champion Hilltop “Bubba” Majesty, the happy-go-lucky purebred Yellow Labrador we would eventually come to know as Rex was first placed into Cesar's care under the name Buster Brown. At less than one year old, his energy had proven too high for the family that had initially fostered him, and he was given over to a rescue organization for adoption before finally making his way to the Dog Psychology Center. Not long after, Dog Whisperer Executive Producer Jim Milio received a personal phone call from Cesar at the DPC.

"Jim," he said simply, "I have found the perfect dog for your family."

The energies were a spot on match, and the Milios -- Jim, Teri, Alex, and Sonny -- fell instantly in love. In honor of Buster's adoption and homecoming, the family rechristened him Rexford Rajah, IV, to reflect his royal parentage. Snug in his new name and surrounded by his new pack, Rex thrived. He was a model family dog; wonderful with the children, easy-going and mild, playful and curious. He loved to walk and was impeccably well-behaved. He got along well with people and other dogs. The family recounts their fondest memories of him – the trips to Caballero Canyon and all the mud and the muck that Rex took such pleasure in nosing and tromping through, which would then have to be thoroughly washed away before returning to the car.

Using Cesar's methods, they were able to rid him of his anxiety around water, and over time he grew to enjoy swimming in the pool after vigorous exercise, but his overexcitement before walks remained a persistent problem that they were never able to fully address.

At 9 o'clock PM on the 7th of August, while out walking not far from their home in Encino, California, Rex was struck when  a car ran through a clearly posted stop sign and swung around in a wide U-turn, hitting the dog, before speeding away. Although Rex  is believed to have died at the scene, the family drove him to the nearest open animal hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Rexford Rajah, IV, purebred son of Hilltop “Bubba” Majesty, was just three years old at the time of his passing.

A frequent visitor at the CMI office, Rex is remembered affectionately by Cesar and the entire staff. He will live on both in photos in Cesar's first book, and in Dog Whisperer segments in which he made guest appearances, helping integrate wayward dogs into the pack at the DPC. He was and will always be the original face of the Illusion Collar, pictured on the homepage of the CMI website. And he will forever be the sweet, even-tempered dog who lived, as all dogs do, completely in each moment.