Owner brought their senior dog with health issues to the vet to say goodbye — but what they discovered changed everything

Senior dogs often face difficult decisions as they age, especially when health issues arise. For some, the thought of a final goodbye comes too soon. At 12 years old, Briton, a senior dog, was facing his final days when an unexpected turn of events gave him a second chance at life. With mobility issues, skin problems, and a significant age, Briton’s owner decided to bring him to the vet in January 2025, for what they thought would be a peaceful goodbye. However, something caught the attention of the veterinary team, sparking hope that Briton might still have more life left in him.

As reported by Newsweek, the owners, who were in the process of moving and were unsure about other options, had brought Briton to the vet for euthanasia. However, the vet team quickly recognized Briton’s "zest for life," noticing his boundless energy and playful spirit despite his age and medical challenges. After assessing his condition, they determined that euthanasia wasn’t the right decision. The owners, understanding that Briton still had potential for a better quality of life, agreed to surrender him to the Richmond SPCA, a shelter known for its care of animals in need.

Tabitha Treloar, director of communications for the Richmond SPCA, explained that the situation didn’t involve any judgment of the owners. "We were able to do this because of our Cinderella Fund, donations dedicated to providing lifesaving treatment for sick and injured homeless pets," she said. This fund helped the shelter give Briton the care he needed, from skin treatments to consultations with specialists regarding his disc disease. The Richmond SPCA team worked hard to address Briton’s physical challenges, treating his skin and managing his arthritis and mobility issues.

Since being brought into the shelter’s care on January 14, Briton had shown significant improvement. His skin, once thickened and shedding, was healing, and he was finally free from the flea infestation that caused much of his discomfort. Briton had gained weight, reaching 54 pounds, and was put on a special doggy diet to help with his mobility, as the team aimed to bring his weight down to 45 pounds. Though he still required ongoing care, including a ramp to help him move more easily, Briton had been thriving in foster care with Renai, a volunteer who regularly cared for pets undergoing medical treatment or in need of hospice support.

While Briton was lucky to get a happy ending, many other senior dogs do not get such chances. According to a statistical report by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in 2024, approximately 607,000 pet animals were euthanized in shelters, which was about 2% less than in 2023. Over the past five years, the euthanasia rate has dropped from 13% in 2019 to 8% in 2024. Out of the total, 334,000 were dogs. In another study, researchers looked at dog euthanasia cases from 1990 to 2020 and found that while overall cases increased, fewer dogs were put down in recent years. Reasons shifted from behavior or ownership issues to more medical causes like cancer.