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Yes, the one about the crime-solving dog. At first I figured it was a fluke, but I discovered on scrolling through the TV listings that FX Canada plays 12 hours of “Hudson & Rex” almost every day.

I occasionally left the show on as a joke, texting my friends video clips of the dog doing insane things — ironically, of course. But then, slowly, I started to leave the show on more and more. And, even weirder, I began to feel sad when I’d turn on the TV and Rex’s furry face didn’t fill my screen.

Why was this happening to me? I have a deep love for the OG but don’t watch any other police procedurals, given my generally anti-copaganda views and prestige-TV priorities. And I certainly am not used to enjoying something so … wholesome. (I like my HBO dry and/or disturbing, thank you.)

My first instinct had been to mock the show and all of Rex’s oft-impossible feats, but the more I left it on in the background the more I found myself actually watching, shaking my head with a rueful chuckle, murmuring, “What a good boy.”

I teared up when Rex provided a blood transfusion to his secret twin brother. Even my plot-hole rage settled down. One time, for instance, Hudson sent Rex to provide comfort to a grieving woman about to throw herself off a bridge — what a good boy! — but he managed to grab her jacket as she was about to hurtle over the edge, saving her life.

Despite this being completely out of the realm of reality, I still found myself cheering him on.

I had an inkling as to where my new-found appreciation for this type of stuff was coming from: coming off a big breakup, a stressful move and a gruelling work schedule, the idea of spooning up some gentle pablum was not only palatable but something I craved for the first time.

I could bask in the camaraderie, the teamwork, the warmth, the occasional completely unnecessary tactical roll. And, of course, the noble pup.

Want to watch a 90-pound dog sail off a small cliff onto a baddie’s back, all in glorious slow motion? Buckle up, bitch, because this happens virtually every episode.

I didn’t even have to choose a season or episode or keep track of plot lines: I’d just turn on the TV and enjoy the bucolic Newfoundland setting, the quirky murder of the week, the stalwart characters. There’s the stoic detective, the stern captain, the earnest forensics lady slash girlfriend, the dorky lab twink. And no matter how much trouble Hudson gets into, Rex always gets him out of a jam.

I even grew to love the groan-inducing dad-joke moments when cast members would say “bones” or “doughnuts” and get an indignant bark out of Rex.

As my obsession with “Hudson & Rex” deepened, I abused my journalistic privilege and emailed the network to find out why the show was so popular. “Hudson & Rex” has been sold in over 100 territories worldwide and it’s already in its seventh season, which just started airing Tuesdays on .

“We’re excited to bring another new season of ‘Hudson & Rex’ to our Citytv viewers,” said Kale Stockwell, director of original programming with Rogers Sports and Media. “The show is a fan favourite and speaks to the power of original storytelling that combines heart, humour and compelling characters.”

Then I contacted the showrunner to pester him about why on earth a bloody dog show is so appealing.

“Sometimes it does strike you as odd you are making a show about a dog who solves crimes,” showrunner Cal Coons told me. But, he said, people really are drawn to a show where the central characters are really nice people, concerned about doing right and helping others.

“ We live in some very troubling times. Sometimes, to a lot of people, it can seem like all we hear about is terrible things that are going on. ‘Hudson & Rex’ is about a team who care for themselves and others,” he said.

Rex is played by eight-year-old Diesel vom Burgimwald. Despite having interviewed hundreds of celebrities over the years, I was rabid to know what Diesel is really like (pun intended, I’m fully off the rails).

“In real life, Rex is great. He’s a real pleasure to be around,” Coons said. Phew. Not a problematic diva!

“Working with a canine performer is fun because he constantly amazes you. You’re always trying to give him new and surprising things to do. You think to yourself, ‘He’ll never be able to do that’ but then dog master Sherri Davis and the dog team come to set, and now not only can he do it, he does it more interestingly than you could have ever imagined.”

Then there’s the fact that watching so many Rex exploits, you start to kind of feel like he’s your dog, too. Coons totally gets it.

“Rex is like a big, friendly companion. Plus,” Coons said, “he just wants to see people be happy.”

Spending time with Rex deepened my love for not only Rex but for all dogs in general and my own dog in particular.

Peach’s repertoire of tricks is far more limited than Diesel’s but, like Diesel, she is strong, spirited and smart. And, like Rex, she is always by my side, making life just a little bit easier.

I remember one episode in which Rex leads someone to an unconscious Hudson. “He wouldn’t take no for an answer,” the man said. “It was your dog that saved you.”

“It’s an ongoing theme of my life,” Hudson deadpanned.

It’s an ongoing theme in my life, too: the power of a fuzzy friend to help you get through the thicket of breakups, moves, jobs. Peach is always there for me.

And, now, so is Rex.