Famous Bay Area therapy dog in need of help after being diagnosed with cancer

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Brixton is a 12-year-old Golden Retriever who's become one of the most famous dogs in the Bay Area.

Since he was a puppy, Brixton has been working as a therapy dog alongside his owner, Linda Gordon, visiting hospitals, schools and airports.

Known for his signature glasses and array of colorful outfits, Gordon says Brixton's kind-hearted personality has been him the ideal therapy dog for those in need for more than a decade.

"I think it's more important today than ever, and it really is from the heart. I just feel like we need to be giving instead of taking," Gordon said.

But after years of helping others, it's now Brixton that needs the help.

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Gordon tells ABC7 News for the past few months, Brixton has been sick.

And after a misdiagnosis, Gordon's been told Brixton has cancer.

"I haven't had time to digest completely what this all means, because I just have to fight. And that's what I've been doing," Gordon said.

Gordon says the medical bills to help keep Brixton alive have been growing exponentially.

In order to help, last week, she started a GoFundMe.

"He's got a very expensive custom diet. The chemo, the maintenance, the medication, the tests, just everything," Gordon said.

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Since launching GoFundMe, Gordon says the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming.

"It's just been unbelievable. It's melted our hearts to just know that people love and care," Gordon said.

Gordon says while she doesn't know what the future holds, she's just taking things one day at a time -- determined to keep spreading love and sharing Brixton with the world.

"We're trying to correct the course and hopefully save him fast enough, early enough to give him some years of good loving and joy. Not only for us, but for others," she said.

You can help Brixton by donating here.