This Labrador and Poodle mix puppy wasn’t even old enough to be separated from its mother.
A thoughtful and kind veterinarian is being praised online for adopting a seven-week-old puppy that had been brought into a training center for euthanasia.
Dr. Oliver Reeve, the owner of a veterinary clinic in Auckland, New Zealand, was shocked when the young Labrador-Poodle mix puppy was brought to the clinic to be put down.
Toby, weighing only 5kg, was still too young to be separated from his mother. This little bundle of joy required a medical procedure after being brought into the world with birth complications, causing discomfort, and his owners said they couldn’t afford any other treatments.
Dr. Reeve suggested the owners consider surrendering the puppy instead of euthanizing it, and thankfully, they agreed.
Soon after, the veterinarian posted a photo showing Toby in his arms, with the caption: “A seven-week-old puppy was brought to the center to be euthanized tonight. It’s heartbreaking. Somehow, meet my new baby.” One of Dr. Reeve’s supporters asked, “Thank you for doing this for him, there’s no reasonable excuse for euthanasia, but what was their ‘reason’?”
He responded: “Perhaps it’s best I don’t speak about that. These cases are always more complicated than they may appear on the surface at first. Everyone’s journey is different.”
In another comment, the veterinarian shared, “I’m currently focusing on ensuring this little dog’s life will be as safe and rich as anyone could imagine and then try to set up a social life for him. It’s been a long time since our last puppy…”
Toby will now join a large, loving family as Dr. Reeve revealed that he currently has “two dogs, a cat, a rodent, and three rabbits.”
Another follower commented, “I feel despair when I think about someone doing this to such a wonderful dog. Thank goodness I don’t work in a veterinary clinic – I’d need more homes and food!”
The next day, Dr. Reeve posted another update. This time, he shared a picture of Toby napping somewhere on a rug in his new home. The caption read, “New puppies need endless rest.”
The following day, Dr. Reeve posted a more detailed update on Toby’s condition.
He said, “Toby went to the center today for the main medical procedure to address the birth defects that were present when he was born.
“He will need another medical procedure in a few months and then (he) will be back to being healthy! He did well today. The little guy is not scared.”
The veterinarian added, “I won’t discuss what surrendering means. People might judge about him being abandoned for this issue.
“Basically, the first owner sought veterinary care and didn’t want the puppy to suffer.”
In the next tweet, he further emphasized, “People shouldn’t feel ashamed of seeking veterinary care and choosing to euthanize or surrender.
“Veterinarians are not the police, and we don’t need individuals to hesitate to come to us out of fear of judgment.”
“Taking a puppy to the vet and choosing to humanely euthanize is far better than letting the puppy suffer or abandoning it – that’s undoubtedly effective,” he continued. “Euthanasia may seem unacceptable, but a treatment option can hinder government support, and there can be many valid reasons why it is chosen.”
