Lance Armstrong saves dog Rex

Lance Armstrong went to extraordinary measures to save his dog, Rex, who was a gift from his fiancee Sheryl Crow. Rex had been born with a leaky heart valve that would inevitably prove fatal, so in August Lance flew Rex to Colorado State University for open-heart surgery, a 4 1/2-hour procedure that cost over $10,000.

According to People, Lance said, "I was prepared to do whatever it took; I just wanted (Rex) to live."

Rex is doing well and is on the mend. If only all dogs could get that level of health care! (And here's hoping Lance decides to get back on his bike and show those Tour de France officials what they can do with their innuendo and accusations!)

Image: ROBERT CHARLES KERLEE / COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY