A beloved Bay Area therapy dog comforted people for years. Now he also needs help
The owner of Brixton, an 11-year-old golden retriever that frequents Bay Area hospitals, schools, airports and events, is raising money to help pay for the dog's treatment.
Brixton's cancer diagnosis was announced on his Instagram account, @brixtonatlarge, on July 25. The post stated that Brixton has irritable bowel disease but was 'misdiagnosed years ago,' and 'after being untreated for so long,' it developed into early stage lymphoma. The cancer was caught early, the post continued, but Brixton's owner, Linda Gordon of Oakland, needs help paying for the 'enormous mountain of medical bills that grow insurmountable every single day.'
As of Sunday afternoon, Brixton's GoFundMe had received more than 150 donations and was roughly $1,000 shy of the $9,000 goal.
Gordon also requested housing leads on Instagram, as Brixton needs to be carried up stairs and they live in a second-story dwelling with no elevator. She also 'can not afford to stay' due to the cost of his treatment, the post continued.
Brixton, who often dons colorful, themed costumes and sunglasses, has been a therapy dog since he was 8 months old. He's made appearances alongside Bay Area celebrities including San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal.
Brixton is a regular at San Francisco private school Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, one of three dogs visiting a couple times a month as part of the San Francisco SPCA's animal therapy program. The dogs bring 'joy and relaxation,' Sacred Heart health educator Julia Rinaldi told the Chronicle earlier this year. 'It's just a pause in their day.'
On Saturday, Brixton's Instagram account revealed that he walked the runway in an Old Navy Fashion Show put on by Family House San Francisco, which provides support to families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
Brixton has a knack for sensing when someone needs him, Gordon told the Chronicle in January, and will divert walks to locate them. 'It's like a GPS, like a heat-seeking missile,' Gordon said. 'He just knows that person needs him.'
She's also hopeful that Brixton will continue to help people for years to come. On the GoFundMe page, Gordon assured donors that Brixton will fight 'to bring even more smiles to all the people that need it most.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
5 hours ago
- Business Insider
Would you spend $5,000 to remove your eye bags?
Two years ago, Emily Gordon began taking note of her under eyes. They'd become increasingly prominent, puffy yet hollow, making her feel like she looked "exhausted" and "old" at just 27. At first, she thought sleep, paired with a clean diet and proper skincare regimen, was the solution. Regardless of her efforts, though, the bags persisted. "I'd wake up in the morning, I would see the eye bags, and I would try to avoid mirrors as much as possible," she said. That was until Gordon stumbled upon other women with the same eye bags on TikTok. Instead of just venting about them, they were documenting their lower blepharoplasty, a 90-minute, $5,000 procedure to permanently remove excess skin, fat, or muscle in the lower eyelid — also known as their under-eye bags. Four months later, she got her own bags removed. Now, Gordon loves her appearance — especially her smooth under eyes. "I have no eye bags, my under-eye area looks great, nice and smooth," she said. "I just felt on top of the world and just so happy that I decided to do it in the first place." Gordon is more than two decades younger than the average blepharoplasty patient, who's typically in their 50s and 60s, according to recent data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Still, she isn't an anomaly — Gordon is one of a growing number of women opting for the procedure before turning 30. "A lot of the patients were 30s, 40s, and older. Now, we are seeing more 20s, 30s," said Dr. Pradeep Mettu, a North Carolina-based oculofacial plastic surgeon who specializes in the procedure. "There's no doubt it's shifted to even younger than it was before." Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, and it's only becoming more common. Reports from the ASPS, which use yearly surveys of thousands of board-certified physicians and data from a national plastic-surgery database, reveal the procedure's frequency rose about 18% from 2019 to 2023 alone. Although it's long been a favorite of those over 50 to discreetly address signs of aging, lower blepharoplasty is now growing in popularity among women in their 20s who, like Gordon, are hoping to look more fresh-faced and youthful. The twentysomething blepharoplasty boom Smooth, airbrushed undereyes have been en vogue since far before the invention of filters and Facetune. Concealer advertisements from the 1950s even showed models miraculously aging in reverse after the product was applied to camouflage their dark circles. "We don't want to look tired, stressed, sad, or vulnerable," said Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, a top Boston plastic surgeon. "All these things are read in the eye." For many 20-somethings opting for the procedure, their undereyes are congenital — meaning they are essentially "born with eye bags," said Mettu. "I see patients commonly in their 20s that tell me 'I've had this my whole life,'" Dr. Ivan Vrcek, a Dallas-based oculoplastic surgeon, said. "It's not about age, it's about anatomy. You could be 50 and not have the problem, or you could be 25 and have the problem worse than a 50-year-old." Although no amount of eye cream or lasers can counteract the genetics responsible for eye bags, surgery can for many. The option has become increasingly attractive as the pendulum swings away from injectables — filler use increased by just 1% in 2024, according to the ASPS — and toward long-lasting procedures. This permanence was what drew Gordon to lower blepharoplasty — she wasn't interested in "Band-Aid" approaches like filler or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Both require multiple sessions and thus, payments. Filler can run you anywhere from $500 to $1,500 per syringe, and PRP can range from $500 to $2,000 per session of which providers recommend doing at least three. Meanwhile, the average cost of a lower blepharoplasty can be about $5,100 — and it's typically a one-time procedure. In total, Gordon paid $9,500 all-in for her lower blepharoplasty (nearly $900 was for the general anesthesia, under which most surgeons perform the procedure), which she paired with a CO2 laser to tighten and a fat transfer to plump the area — a number that, while high to some, made sense to her. "I was like, 'Oh my gosh, that's a lot of money,'" said Gordon. "But if I were to consider if I did under-eye filler and I would get it touched up once a year for the rest of my life, that, to me, sounded like way more money than doing a surgery." Plus, because the procedure is often done transconjunctivally (meaning the incision is made inside the eyelid), patients typically experience bruising and slight swelling, but no visible scarring, and pain that is often manageable with over-the-counter medications and ice. Immediately after her procedure, besides a haze from the anesthesia, Gordon said she felt "zero pain." "Even the next couple days, I had no pain on my face, which most people are shocked to hear." Most patients are back to work in a week, said Vrcek. "Oftentimes, it's impossible to tell that someone actually had the blepharoplasty," said Chicago-based oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Phelps. Lower blepharoplasty's new demographic Vrcek said lower blepharoplasty's popularity has "exploded" in his practice within the past five years. Of the 12 lower blepharoplasties he averages each week, he estimates that half are done on women in their 20s and 30s. Spiegel, a top Boston plastic surgeon, added that he'd seen five patients under the age of 30 for blepharoplasty consultations recently. Mettu said he's seeing a lot more lower-blepharoplasty patients between the ages of 20 and 29 than he has in the past two years — and his youngest is a 20-year-old who traveled to him for this procedure in June. "It is kind of an old-school mindset of, 'This person is too young for surgery,'" said Mettu. "As long as someone's 18 and older, and is cognitively able to have an informed discussion … then I think if they're a good candidate, surgery is reasonable." Lower blepharoplasty's rising popularity is partially thanks to the social media content being posted about it. Gordon's videos on her surgery, for example, have over 7 million views. In 2024, then-28-year-old influencer Madeline White chronicled her experience in several videos, which have garnered almost 14 million views. And since being posted in January, 26-year-old content creator Jas Anahis 's videos about her lower blepharoplasty, done by Mettu, have been viewed over 11 million times. Mettu said he received over 10 consultation requests within 24 hours of Anahis's first video being posted, then more in the weeks that followed. "Many young people didn't realize that lower blepharoplasty was an option for them," he said. "When a popular video comes up, or a transformation video, people see that and they realize what's possible." One of those women was 27-year-old Sugelly Machado. In March, she drove from Connecticut to North Carolina for her lower blepharoplasty with Mettu after coming across Anahis's videos while researching the procedure. "I don't see it as plastic surgery. I just see it as an enhancement." Sugelly Machado, who got a lower blepharoplasty at 27 "I was like, 'I'm getting it,'" Machado said after seeing her video. "There was no doubt in my mind." Machado's eye bags were genetic, and given her age, she knew she didn't want to wait another 20 years to address them. Despite being confident, she said they were her only insecurity. Pre-surgery, she recalls rarely leaving the house without fake lashes or posting on social media without a filter to hide them. "My friends would always be like, 'Oh, your eyes are so puffy,' or 'You look so tired,'" Machado said. "And I'm like, 'I'm not tired. I got eight hours of sleep. I don't know what to tell you.'" Now, three months post-op, Machado has zero regrets. "I can leave the house without putting on makeup," she said. "I genuinely feel beautiful." Machado also shared her blepharoplasty experience on her TikTok account. A video of her before-and-after garnered more than 1.4 million views, and many commenters looked for the details of what she had done. And although she said her goal is never to convince any of her followers to get surgery, sharing the details of her lower blepharoplasty felt different. "I don't see it as plastic surgery," she said. "I just see it as an enhancement." Our eyes matter — a lot The amount of time spent looking at ourselves — in real life and online — is another motivator for these women, said Spiegel. This was the case for 30-year-old Kiana Robinson, who, despite first noticing her "puffy" eye bags back in 2017, hadn't considered surgery until she started working a remote job that required frequent video calls. "I was in a very high-demand job," she said, "and I feel like people were like, 'Are you OK?' 'Have you been crying all night?'" When eye creams and heavy hydration didn't minimize the appearance of her eye bags, Robinson went to Mettu to ask about filler. He suggested lower blepharoplasty instead. She had it done in April. Three months after her surgery, Robinson describes the mental and physical difference as "night and day." "When you see that change, you feel younger," she said. "Perception-wise, you feel healthier." It's no surprise Robinson feels this way — eyes are one of the first areas of the face to show signs of aging. Eye bags rarely shrink with age (or a daily-use serum), and this is especially true for congenital ones, which can worsen with age. "I'm not going to be miserable for 30 years and then determine, 'Maybe I'll look into it," Machado said about her decision to get the procedure in her 20s. "I feel like if the ladies in their 50s had all the resources that we had, they would have done it in their 20s as well." Although younger patients are increasingly showing up for consultations, surgeons note they aren't always agreeing to perform the procedure. "I spend a lot of time telling people, 'You look good, you look normal, you are healthy,'" said Spiegel. "'Ignore what you're seeing online.'" Given the sensitive nature of eyes and their functionality, lower blepharoplasty carries inherent risks — including dry eye and vision changes — which is why surgeons urge prospective patients to do their research. It's also important to rule out potential health issues, like sleep apnea or allergies, which can contribute to prominent eye bags. "People need to be aware that those underlying issues and self-confidence are things that should be worked on in conjunction, and not hanging their whole hat on surgery," Phelps said. Though the procedure has been known to promise long-term results, Phelps also cautions that, as with any surgery, people should be aware of how they're treating their body afterward. For the first two weeks, surgeons typically recommend avoiding strenuous physical activity, alcohol consumption, and makeup. "If you don't take care of your body, you may have a problem with longevity," Phelps said. "But for a person who's taking good care, as they should be, it should last basically forever." Now 29, Gordon is in the midst of planning her 2026 nuptials — an event she is happy to have gotten her surgery done before. "I'm not going to be nervous about my wedding pictures or how my bags look," she said. "Now I'm thinking about a boob job, but that's a different story."
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Video: Golden Retriever Puppy's Squeaky Little Hiccups Steal Hearts
Of all the things the internet could be obsessed with, a video of a Golden Retriever puppy hiccuping might not seem like the obvious choice. Yet, one tiny pup has managed to hijack everyone's feeds and hearts with nothing more than a few involuntary squeaks and some very fluffy ears. Owner can't get enough of Golden Retriever puppy's cute hiccups The short video, posted to the Instagram account @peachycomet22, shows a tiny Golden Retriever puppy cuddled up in her owner's arms. She looks relaxed and cozy, enjoying the attention until a series of soft, high-pitched hiccups starts to bubble up. Each squeaky sound is followed by a little head bob, and the pup looks around, slightly confused but calm. Her dad, meanwhile, is completely smitten. You can hear the smile in his voice as he reacts to the sound. The pet parent is clearly in awe of how adorable the moment is. Viewers couldn't get enough of the puppy's tiny squeaks, with many saying it was the most wholesome thing they'd seen all day. 'Puppy hiccups are the absolute cutest!' one person wrote, followed by rows of heart-eyed emojis. Another chimed in, 'This is so adorable.' A netizen joked, 'Too much cuteness for one reel.' Some shared how the video reminded them of their own dogs as puppies, while others simply watched it on loop, mesmerized by the pure cuteness on display. Just like in humans, canines usually get hiccups when their diaphragm suddenly contracts. It is often triggered by eating or drinking too fast, excitement, or even stress. It's completely normal and usually nothing to worry about. If your puppy gets hiccups frequently, try feeding smaller meals more slowly or encouraging them to stay calm after eating. Gently rubbing their belly or giving them some water may also help. However, if the hiccups last for more than an hour or are accompanied by signs of distress, it's always a good idea to consult your vet. For the most part, though, hiccups are just one more thing that makes these little furballs so endearing. The post Video: Golden Retriever Puppy's Squeaky Little Hiccups Steal Hearts appeared first on DogTime. Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Newsweek
Mom Feels 'Something' at 3 Months Pregnant—Unprepared for What Doctors Find
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a mom from North Carolina felt something unusual in her gums just three months into her pregnancy, she brushed it off at first. "I honestly thought it was a popcorn kernel stuck in there," Aisha Owens told Newsweek. "But then I remembered... I never ate popcorn." The harmless sensation soon became harder to ignore. By her third trimester, something had unmistakably erupted through her gums. Woman, 31, wearing white and red striped vest with seatbelt in car and recalling story for Instagram. Woman, 31, wearing white and red striped vest with seatbelt in car and recalling story for Instagram. @ "It looked like a small, sharp tooth—almost like a tiny shark tooth," the 31-year-old said. "It popped up at the bottom of my mouth, right behind my front teeth." It caused discomfort during meals, particularly when biting into apples or sandwiches, and made her feel like something out of a biology textbook. Naturally, Owens made an appointment with her dentist, who was just as baffled. "The nurses in the office were coming in one by one to take a look," Owens said. "When he took an X-ray, he told me it wasn't connected or rooted to anything, so even he had questions." Dr. Jenna Chimon, DDS, lead cosmetic dentist at Long Island Veneers, told Newsweek that the phenomenon—while incredibly rare—is medically possible. "What she's describing is what we call a supernumerary tooth, which is an extra tooth that sometimes forms in addition to the normal set," said Chimon. "They're usually detected in childhood but in rare cases, they can erupt later in life, especially if they were impacted or lying dormant in the jaw." Hormonal shifts during pregnancy may have also played a role. "It's extremely rare for a supernumerary tooth to emerge during pregnancy, but it is possible that the hormonal changes contributed indirectly by affecting the surrounding tissues or bone," Chimon said. "These changes could have allowed a previously dormant or impacted tooth to finally emerge." Owens shared what happened to her in a reel on Instagram (@ which has clocked up over a million views and likes. Many users were slightly freaked out by the random tooth, which further cemented their reasons for not wanting children. "Every time I feel a just a liiiiiittttttle bit less scared of pregnancy, I see s*** like this," one user wrote. But other moms could relate, sharing their own stories of how pregnancy changed their bodies. "My feet grew a half size and my hair texture changed. Pregnancy does so much to your body," another wrote. Owens told Newsweek she wasn't expecting her clip to go viral. "But I'm so glad it's helping moms feel seen and supported through all the weird and wonderful parts of motherhood," she added. Ultimately, the mystery tooth was extracted, and Owens is now recovering. As for what she'll do with the tooth? "Honestly, I'm not sure yet," she said. "Maybe I'll frame it."
