Neil “Doc” Sanger

"This was filmed last Wednesday afternoon at Riverside Veterinary Clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana. The officer is Sergeant Paul Greer. He's 41 years old. Fourteen-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The dog is Bruno. A ten-year-old German Shepherd who served eight years as Paul's K9 partner before a joint condition ended his working career two years ago. When Bruno retired from active duty, Paul adopted him immediately. Brought him home. Bruno spent his retirement on Paul's couch, on Paul's bed, in the passenger seat of Paul's personal truck. The transition from working partner to household companion was seamless. Bruno had always been Paul's dog. The badge and the vest were just part of the job. Over the past several months, Bruno's condition had declined steadily. The joint condition spread. He had difficulty getting up. Stopped eating regularly. Paul had been managing Bruno's comfort with guidance from Dr. Angela Reese at Riverside for months. Last Tuesday evening, Bruno stopped getting up entirely. Paul called Dr. Reese that night. Wednesday afternoon, Paul drove Bruno to Riverside. He carried Bruno in from the truck himself. Wouldn't let the techs take him. Paul's partner, Officer Dana Choi, came with him. She filmed quietly on her phone from the corner of the room. She told us afterward that she asked Paul's permission before she started recording. He nodded. Paul sat on the exam table with Bruno cradled across his lap and chest. Bruno's head rested against Paul's shoulder. His eyes were half-open. His breathing was slow and easy. Paul bowed his head and pressed his face into Bruno's fur. Bruno lay still for a long moment. Then slowly — carefully — he raised both front paws. One at a time. And wrapped them around Paul's shoulders. And held on. Paul made a sound that Dana said she will never forget. Dr. Reese, who was standing nearby preparing, went completely still. Her assistant took a step back. Nobody moved. Dana told us: 'Bruno could barely lift his head that morning. But he lifted his paws and he held Paul. In that moment, with everything he had left, he held him. I think he was saying thank you. I think he was saying goodb"