Beloved Therapy Dog Brixton Says Farewell in Union Square

A cherished therapy dog named Brixton bid farewell to his friends and supporters on December 1, 2023, at Union Square in San Francisco. Brixton’s owner, Linda Gordon, announced that the nearly 13-year-old golden retriever had been diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow canine companions, Brixton spent his final moments resting in front of the iconic Macy’s Christmas tree, receiving love and affection from a community he has comforted for over a decade.

Gordon emphasized the deep connection between Brixton and the city, noting that he has played an integral role in providing emotional support in hospitals, schools, and community spaces since he began his therapy work at just eight months old. “He is not just mine; he is part of the community,” Gordon said. “The love that he needs to exist, and the love that he shares with everybody, is all full circle. It is what we do.”

As visitors stopped to take photos and share quiet moments with Brixton, many brought their own pets to greet him. Gordon reflected on the dog’s apparent recognition of the affection he was receiving, stating, “He’s had the most beatific smile on his face for the last two days while he is just embraced and showered in that beatific love. I just keep repeating, but he looks like an angel.”

Over his lifetime, Brixton has become a familiar figure in San Francisco’s therapy-dog community, known for his gentle demeanor and ability to provide comfort to those in need. “He’s been doing it since he was eight months old, and he’s just shy of 13,” Gordon remarked. “So that’s a long time of touching people’s lives. Just knowing how much good and love he’s put out to this universe — it’s a lot.”

Among the attendees was West Walker, a friend of Brixton’s, who noted the dog’s impact extended far beyond his therapy work. “Brixton has brought so much joy,” Walker said. “And especially this week, where we lost Claude, and now we’re losing Brixton, it makes me think about what a unique place San Francisco is — that we all can find such commonality in our mutual love and adoration for these animals that define what it means to be a San Franciscan.”

For Gordon, the impending loss of Brixton is deeply personal. Having spent more than a decade by his side, she has witnessed the profound connections he has made with countless individuals throughout the city. When asked what lesson Brixton taught her, she paused and reflected. “How to not take life so seriously, and how love can be shared so easily,” she said.

Gordon believes that the kind of love Brixton has shared will not be forgotten. As the community gathered to pay tribute to this beloved therapy dog, it became clear that Brixton’s legacy will continue to resonate in the hearts of those he has touched throughout his remarkable life.