Les Butler

"This was filmed last Thursday at Riverside Veterinary Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The officer is Sergeant Alan Briggs. He's 44 years old. Twelve-year veteran of the Colorado Springs Police Department. The dog is Bruno, a nine-year-old German Shepherd. They were partners for eight years. Bruno joined the force at fourteen months old. Trained in narcotics detection and patrol support. He and Alan were paired in the spring of Alan's sixth year on the force. From that first week, Alan said Bruno worked like he'd been waiting his whole life to do exactly that job. Eight years. Hundreds of calls. Bruno never missed a shift. Earlier this year, Bruno began slowing down significantly. A serious illness had progressed through his system over several months despite treatment. By October, Bruno had stopped eating consistently. Stopped lifting his head fully when Alan came into the room. The veterinary team sat with Alan two weeks ago and walked him through what was coming. Alan requested that Bruno's final day be spent at home first. They drove to their favorite trail in the morning. Bruno walked as far as he could. Alan carried him the rest of the way. At the clinic that afternoon, Alan sat down on the floor rather than placing Bruno on the examination table. He said he didn't want Bruno's last position to be somewhere unfamiliar and cold. He held Bruno in his arms on the floor, back against the wall. The vet, Dr. Melissa Horan, prepared the procedure. She told us she's been practicing for nineteen years. She has learned to give families as long as they need. Alan leaned down and pressed his face against Bruno's head. He spoke to him quietly. Told him he had been the best partner anyone could ask for. Told him he didn't have to hold on anymore. Bruno lifted both front paws. Slowly. The way a person reaches up when they want to be held. He wrapped them around Alan's shoulders and pulled himself closer. Alan held on. Dr. Horan told us she set down what she was holding and waited. She said: "I've been in this room for a lot of final moments. What Bruno did in that moment was one of the most deliberate things I've ever seen an animal do.