Ileana felt her chest tighten as Rex collapsed completely at her feet.
Those eyes — the same eyes that had faithfully watched over her for years — were starting to dim. Her father, Mihai, knelt down beside her.
— Sweetheart, I think we should get him to the vet — he said softly, but Ileana already knew. She had already understood what Rex was trying to tell her.
— He waited — she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. — He waited to see me in my wedding dress.
Just then, Constantin, the groom, descended the church steps and walked toward them. Despite the sharpness of his tailored suit, he knelt beside Ileana and Rex.
— What’s going on? — he asked, concern etched into his voice.
— I think… he’s saying goodbye — Ileana whispered, tears streaming freely down her face.
Constantin grasped her hand gently, and with his other hand, he softly caressed Rex’s head.
The guests stood silently, watching — deeply moved, no one dared disturb the solemn moment.
Then, to everyone’s astonishment, Rex summoned the last of his strength and, though trembling, pushed himself up.
With great effort, he stepped toward Constantin and licked his hand, as though offering his blessing. Then, he turned back to Ileana, lay beside her one final time… and gently collapsed.
Tears flowed freely down the faces of those watching.
No one had imagined that this wedding day would also hold a painful goodbye.
Yet, amid the sorrow, something wondrous took place.
A radiant white dove descended from the sky and settled on Ileana’s shoulder.
It looked at her with eyes so gentle — so familiar — that Ileana shivered, recognizing something deeply known in them.
— Ileana — her mother, Elena, said in a hushed voice as she stepped forward — this is a sign.
The dove remained still for a few moments, then rose into the air, circled perfectly above the church, and vanished into the wide, clear sky.
The ceremony went on — but it was no longer merely a wedding.
It had transformed into a tribute to love in all its expressions: the bond between the bride and groom, and also that unmatched, unwavering love an animal gives.
Father Adrián adapted his words to honor the place Rex had held in Ileana’s life.
And when Ileana and Constantin exchanged their vows, everyone felt Rex’s presence — still near, still loyal, still loving… even beyond the bounds of life.