Meet Rex and Leia—rescues born for the great outdoors
Step into the adventurous lives of Rex and Leia, two rescue dogs who found their forever home with National Geographic photographer Cliford Mervil.
Built for adventure, Rex (left) and Leia (right) are always ready to lead the way.
Photographs byCliford Mervil
Published May 6, 2026
Hi, I’m Cliford Mervil, a National Geographic photographer—and these are my rescues, Rex and Leia. I adopted them almost eight years ago, and I’m grateful every day that I did. They’re the best adventure buddies and companions I could ask for. Today, we’re taking you along for a day in our lives. Come with us!
We’re usually up at sunrise, ready to take on the day. Most mornings begin the same way: an early run. It’s our rhythm. A pro tip that works for me is knocking it out before breakfast, so that way they can take care of their business before we head out.
Rex and Leia are all energy, which makes running with them half the fun! They’re always ready to explore—up trails, through forests, and wherever the road takes us. Every moment with them feels like an adventure, and I just follow where they lead.
Leia lives for road trips, and Rex loves hiking, and I love watching these two live their best lives. So we all load up into the car and head to Roan Mountain here in North Carolina, one of our favorite spots. Just look at that view!
At Roan Mountain, we hike, explore, and slow things down. It’s one of those places where I feel I can truly unplug and just be present with them.
Now, it’s time for a break. We find a good spot to string up the hammock, eat lunch, I read a little―and we all decompress. Just like us, dogs need time to unwind, too.
On long days outside, it’s important to keep them hydrated. Around here, we don’t take turns—they just go at it together!
Before we pack up, I snap a few more photos of Rex and Leia. Some moments are just too good to pass up.
We squeeze in one last walk before heading home, soaking up our time together. After a full day outside, these two are completely spent.
Every day with Leia and Rex reminds me how grateful I am that they found their forever home with me. They’re more than my dogs, they’re my companions—and I’m lucky to call them mine.
