Vet praised for response after house owners usher in pet to be put down

A vet has been applauded by animal lovers after saving an adorable seven-week-old puppy who was been brought in by owners to be put down. 

Oliver Reeve, a vet in New Zealand, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the story of how owners brough their fluffy labradoodle puppy to his surgery to be euthanised.

The puppy needed surgery after being born with birth defects, which were causing  life-disrupting health conditions and his owners said they couldn’t afford to pay. 

When he was brought to the surgery, the puppy – now named Toby – weighed just 5kg, and he instantly stole Dr Reeve’s heart. 

Sharing an adorable picture of the puppy, Dr Reeve wrote: ‘A 7 week old puppy got brought into the clinic to be euthanised tonight. Very sad. Any way, meet my new son.’

In a later post, he went on to explain that the previous owners had opted not to pay for life-saving surgery due to cost and had asked for him to be euthanised.

Dr Reeve explained that choosing euthanasia ‘technically preserves welfare’, but that it can be extremely difficult to end the life of such a young creature. 

‘Vets hate it,’ he emphasised.

The kind-hearted vet is already parent to a number of other four-legged friends including two other dogs, one cat, one rat and three rabbits – all of which are ‘waifs and strays’.

Toby seems have settled in quickly with 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. ‘Pet names depend a lot on if my wife has had a really difficult child by 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 has been into the clinic today for the first surgery to correct his birth defects. He’ll need another surgery in a few months and then he (should) be all good! He did well today. Brave little man.’

Dog lovers rushed to the comments to thank the New Zealand vet for saving the adorable pup.

One wrote: ‘He looks so cute like a teddy bear! Thanks doctor for helping that family who had to surrender him.  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 rare soul. He is going to have a great and prosperous life because of you.’

A third said: ‘Oh my heart. He certainly won the lottery when you took him home (and vice versa). Here’s to a wonderful long life together.’

Dr Reeve shared an adorable selection of pictures of the young pooch post surgery. Toby looked snug as a bug wrapped in a cosy looking blanket as he slept off his surgery.

 The vet wrote: ‘Toby has been into the clinic today for the first surgery to correct his birth defects. He’ll need another surgery in a few months and then he (should) be all good! He did well today. Brave little man.’ 

Several curious viewers flooded the comments with questions about the nature of Toby’s birth defects.

However, Dr Reeve refused to share the information, saying he didn’t want people to be ‘judgmental’ about why his previous owners had adopted to put him down.

‘The main thing is that the original owner sought veterinary care and didn’t let the puppy suffer,’ he wrote protectively. 

‘People shouldn’t be shamed for seeking veterinary care and electing euthanasia or surrender. 

‘Vets are not the police and we don’t want people reluctant to see us because they fear judgement.’

He emphasised that opting for euthanasia is still a better choice than letting an animal suffer, or abandoning it ‘which definitely happens’. 

‘Euthanasia may not seem palatable but it is a treatment option that preserves welfare and there can be lots of reasons why it’s chosen.’

Toby is now on the mend and settling in with his loving new family.