This is a true, touching story that depicts exactly why dogs are known as man’s best friend.

Nine-year-old American bulldog Brittney was dying of bone cancer. After discovering that the disease had taken hold of most of his beloved pet’s life, Scott Seymore, 39, was conflicted, trying to make the tough decision of whether or not to put her to sleep to save her from the pain and suffering.

Before Scott could make the decision, something terrible happened. While he was asleep on a Saturday, just before 6:00 AM, his house caught fire due to faulty wiring. Sleeping through the blaze, Scott was completely unaware—and would have surely died in the fire—if it had not been for Brittney.

As Scott slept, Brittney barked and barked at his bedside, refusing to let him sleep through the danger in his own home. Scott relented to his friend’s warning, and was glad that he did; her barking had saved his life.

Unfortunately, Scott could not return the favor. Brittany stopped eating, causing her stomach to bloat. The dog could no longer move, and Scott had to carry her. She was finding it difficult to breathe, and Scott feared that he would not see her live through the night.

Brittney’s doctor revealed that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, liver and spleen, which was causing internal bleeding and the bloating Scott had noticed. There was nothing that Scott could do to save her, as he had done once before when she was younger and had sunk to the bottom of a swimming pool.

But he could help stop the pain that only steroids could help relieve. On May 26, he relieved Brittney of her cancer and had her put to sleep. “I know it’s the right thing, but it feels like the worst thing,” he admitted.

Scott, a salesman from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was teary-eyed during the euthanasia. “A dog loves you unconditionally and totally, which makes this really hard. To have to do it days after she saved my life is really depressing,” Scott said.

Though broken up over the loss of his friend and his lifesaver, Scott does plan on adopting another dog in the future.

We salute you, Brittney. You are a true hero among dogs. And we salute you, Scott, for being a compassionate owner who knew to do the right thing—even when it was the hardest thing to do.