Andrea Rosebrock 
You can just imagine the heartbreak Scott Seymour must have felt two weeks ago when his beloved canine companion, Brittney, a 9-year-old American Bulldog, was diagnosed with several terminal cancerous tumors. The vet advised that she might not survive surgery and Scott decided not to go with the chemo, fearing it would be just too hard on her.
The other option was euthanasia but Scott decided not to end her life but with the aid of meds, allow her to live as long as she would, possibly just another few weeks.
This decision not to end her life saved his own.
Early Saturday a fire broke out in his Grand Rapids, MI house and it was Brittney’s barking that awakened Scott in time to get them both out of the blazing inferno.
“Brittney might whine a little when she has to go out, but she never, ever barks when I’m sleeping,” said Seymour, 39, who has had the dog since she was 6 weeks old. “She was demanding that I get up.
“And it saved my life.”
Since the fateful news and his decision to let his canine companion’s life end naturally, Scott has been spending as much time with her as possible, to cherish what time they have left, thankful that the steroid therapy have been allowing them this time.
“She’s been eating really good these days,” Seymour said, noting there’s no harm in spoiling a dying dog.
So now Scott has one more memory to add to his memory scrapbook of the life and times of his Brittney, her a lifesaving hero.
The home he rented was pretty much a total loss and so were most all of his possession so for now, Scott Seymour and Brittney will stay with Scott’s parents until he can find a new home.
The decision to humanely end the life of a companion pet is often one of the hardest decisions a person ever has to make. Often for a pet that is suffering and in pain, it is our final gift of love. Scott and Brittney were lucky that they had another alternative so that they could grab some extra time and that gift of time turned out to also be a gift of life for Scott as one of the final acts from he beloved canine companion that has been a part of his life since she was just a tiny puppy.
Stories of hero dogs always touch my heart and this one even more so. Those of us who share of lives with our furry family members are thankful every day for their presence in out lives so you can imagine how Scott feels. My heart goes out to him knowing the pain he will be facing soon but rejoices at the memories that he will always have especially the memory of the day that his dog saved his life. Brittney will live forever in his heart.
Update 5/27/09
Sadly, on Tuesday, just days after Brittney saved the life of her human companion, Scott Seymour, her pain could no longer be managed and Scott made the painful decision to humanely euthanize his beloved canine companion.
My heart goes out to Scott, I know the decision was not an easy one to make but as a final gift of love, it was the one last thing he could do for her. My sincerest condolences go out to you, Scott! Fly free at Rainbow Bridge Brittney!
This story brought tears to my eyes, no only because I know our furry companions are lifesavers, but that Scott knows that his beautiful little girl is dying. My heart goes out to Scott, more than he would ever understand.
This shows the love our babies have for us. God bless Brittany, and I hope and pray she does not suffer. Bless you too Scott, you have the love of your fur baby, and believe me, she is your “guardian angel in fur”.
What a lovely story! Thank you for sharing it with us.
While on earth Brittney is Scott’s guardian and when she goes to heaven he will surely have her as his guardian angel.
God Bless you both, Brittney and Scott.
From now onwards you both will be in my prayers.
Do keep me posted.
Thank you,
Gina
I HAVE TEARS IN MY EYES AS I’M SO GLAD SCOTT WILL HAVE EXTRA TIME WITH HIS BELOVED HERO BRITTNEY.
What a touching story. I wish there was some way that Brittany could live. Scott will surely miss her. I do have a suggestion though. Give her cancer to God, don’t ask him to take it, just give it to him. This is what most of us forget. If you give something to God he will usually take it. If you ask him to take it he usually doesn’t. Tell him he can make the cancer into a beautiful thing and therefor you want to give it to him, cause he is the only one that can do anything with it. You’ll be surprised at how much God can do. I hope this message gets to him.
Oh Scott. I am so sorry about Brittney. I’m also very happy she saved your life. This is one of those bittersweet story’s of love and sadness. I pray that Brittney can live out the rest of her life in the comfort and care of your arms and heart. You are truly an angel to this beautiful girl. She will have an easy, peaceful journey to the Rainbow Bridge and await the day that she can be joined with you again. She is a very fortunate girl and you are very blessed as well, to have her. You are a beautiful human being Scott and I know Brittney is aware of that as well. Brittney, enjoy all those goodies your getting. I know they are well deserved. Don’t forget that big ol’ steak for her as well Scott. God Bless you both.
Moe, I understand what you are saying with giving Brittany’s cancer to God; but, I believe that people who have or have had cancer are “the chosen”. Having cancer is a gift (don’t think I am being stupid or sarcastic). God has chosen certain people and certain animals (or those humans associated with the animals). Most cancer patients I have known have been more understanding, sympathetic, and more compassionate to others. They also have a deep passion for certain things in their lives. I know how much God can do, and strongly believe in Him. Trust me on this one, as I can personally relate.
Such a beautiful story that proves again how unselfish our canine companions are. They remain loyal and true to the last beat of their heart and are the only creature on earth that love us more than they love themselves. May Brittney have her health and precious time with Scott for as long as God wants her to remain on earth. We should all take loyalty and friendship as seriously as she does!
What a beautiful bittersweet story; thanks so much for sharing it with us. Scott, hold on to every last second you can get with Brittney and memorize every little detail of her beautiful face for that is what will get you thru in the end (well, that and the love of God). Know that she will be well taken care of; healthy, happy and patiently waiting for the love of her life to reunite with. You are a special man Scott and God knew you were the one to take stewardshipt of Brittney while she lives here on earth. And He also knew that Brittney was the perfect companion for His special child, you Scott. Take heed in that and know it is all part of His plan. You will always have Brittney in your heart and I know you will always be safe in her heart. There is no doubt that our fur babies are the only ones capable of unconditional love here on earth and Brittney shows that everyday. God bless you both and I will keep you in my prayers. My heart is breaking for you and the pain that you soon will have to endure. But, enjoy every extra second you have with your girl and laugh, love and give her the best days she can have. Brittey baby, enjoy your daddy and all the goodies he is providing you now. Most of all bask in his love for you as you know it is real! Scott, we need more people like you in this world!!
Barbara, what a well written post, which brought tears to my eyes. Life for not only our fur babies, but ourselves is much too short, and yes, you are correct in the fact that this is all in His plan for us.
I’m with you Susie. Well written post Barbara. It brought tears to my eyes as well. I sure hope Scott is seeing all of these. It would be a great comfort to him.
I’m TRULY sorry for your loss Scott
Thank you for all your kind words, my name is Scott and I miss her dearly, she was a such a character and there isn’t a day goes bye I don’t think of her. Thank you again for all your kind words.
Scott
Our small friend Betsy took care of us for all the fifteen years or so of her life. She did not want to leave us, but she knew she had to go. Decades later, we still mourn her. She loved us so! Scott, we feel for your loss of Brittney – remember her love forever. May you meet again, as we hope we will meet Betsy. . .
Dear Scott … thank you so very much for contacting us.
You will think of and miss your Lovely Brittney for as long as you live.
Keep going strong and be sure that she is next to you, as your guardian angel for ever and ever.
God bless you and our Sweet Brittney!