A vet has been applauded by animal lovers after saving an adorable seven-week-old puppy that had been taken by its owners to be put down.
Oliver Reeve, a veterinarian from New Zealand, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the story of how the owners brought their fluffy labradoodle puppy to his office to be euthanized.
The puppy needed surgery after being born with birth defects that were causing life-threatening health problems and his owners said they couldn’t afford it.
When he was rushed into surgery, the pup, now named Toby, weighed just 5kg and instantly stole Dr Reeve’s heart.
Dr Reeve shared an adorable photo of the pup and wrote: “A seven week old puppy was brought into the clinic tonight to be put down. It’s so sad. Anyway, meet my new baby boy.”
A vet has been applauded by animal lovers after saving an adorable seven-week-old puppy (pictured) who was taken by his owners to be put down.
Oliver Reeve, a veterinarian from New Zealand, saved the life of a labradoodle puppy, now named Toby
In a later post, she went on to explain that the previous owners had opted not to pay for life-saving surgery due to the cost and had asked for him to be put down.
Dr. Reeve explained that choosing euthanasia “technically preserves well-being,” but that it can be extremely difficult to end the life of such a young child.
“Veterinarians hate it,” he stressed.
The kind-hearted vet is already the father of several other four-legged friends, including two other dogs, a cat, a rat and three rabbits, all of them “stray and abandoned.”
Toby seems to have quickly adapted to the family and won over the vet’s daughter.
“My daughter wants to call him Toby, which is a solid name. We’ll see if it fits,” he said. “Affectionate nicknames are very dependent on whether my wife had a very difficult child with the same name in her class, then we can’t use that name,” he wrote.
Toby has since received the life-saving treatment he needed and is recovering with his new family.
His new owner wrote in another post: “Toby was in the clinic today for his first surgery to correct his birth defects. He will need another surgery in a few months and then (should) be fine. He did well today. Brave little man!”
Dog lovers were quick to comment to thank the New Zealand vet for saving the adorable pup.
One wrote: “He looks like a teddy bear! Thank you doctor for helping that family who had to give him up. I’m sure it was very hard for them and they are grateful. That, and you are helping little Toby.”
Another gushed: “You are a special soul. He is going to have a great and prosperous life because of you.”
A third said: “Oh my goodness. He must have won the lottery when you brought him home (and vice versa). Here’s to a long and wonderful life together.”
Dr. Reeve shared an adorable selection of photos of the pooch after surgery. Toby looked snug as a bug wrapped in a cozy-looking blanket as he slept after surgery.
Toby is pictured sharing hugs after his operation. He has since received the life-saving treatment he needed and is recovering with his new family.
Toby looked as snug as a bug wrapped in a cozy looking blanket as he slept after his surgery.
Dr. Reeve shared a photo of the sleeping pup with the caption: “New puppies need lots of sleep.”
Dog lovers were quick to write comments to thank the New Zealand vet for saving the adorable pup.
The vet wrote: “Toby was in the clinic today for his first surgery to correct his birth defects. He will need another surgery in a few months and then (should) be fine. He behaved well today. He is a brave little man.”
Several curious viewers flooded the comments with questions about the nature of Toby’s birth defects.
However, Dr Reeve declined to share the information, saying he did not want people to “judge” why his previous owners had decided to euthanize him.
“The most important thing is that the original owner sought veterinary care and did not let the puppy suffer,” she wrote protectively.
‘People should not feel ashamed for seeking veterinary care and choosing euthanasia or surrender.
“Veterinarians are not the police and we don’t want people to be reluctant to see us for fear of being judged.”
He stressed that euthanasia remains a better option than letting the animal suffer or abandoning it, “which definitely happens.”
«Euthanasia may not seem acceptable, but it is a treatment option that preserves well-being and there may be many reasons why it is chosen.»
Toby is now recovering and settling in with his new, loving family.