Last year, after consulting two veterinary clinics and feeling exhausted and out of options, Kristie Pereira had to make the heart-wrenching decision to take her critically ill puppy to a Maryland shelter for euthanasia.
Last week, she was shocked to discover that the dog she had previously adopted was now available for adoption again at the same pet rescue organization.
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The veterinarian determined that the problem was likely neurological in nature. Although blood tests indicated a potential liver issue, Pereira was given liver enzymes and reassured that she would witness noticeable improvement if Beau’s liver was indeed the cause of the problem.
The dog’s condition continued to deteriorate. According to Pereira, the dog’s veterinarian, the clinic’s lead veterinarian, and an animal emergency room veterinarian all concurred that the dog’s inability to control his bowels and lift his hind legs indicated a serious neurological issue.
Pereira, 32, who works in digital marketing, expressed that the cost of conducting a series of tests to diagnose Beau’s condition was unexpectedly high, reaching as high as $12,000. Despite the initial surprise and the significant financial burden, Pereira was determined to find a way to cover the expenses if it meant saving her beloved pet.
She recalled being told that there was a very slim chance of finding the cause of the problem and an even smaller chance of being able to fix it.
When faced with the suggestion of euthanizing the puppy, she firmly declined, stating that she wasn’t prepared to consider such a course of action. Instead, she held onto hope for another month.
Pereira stated that she was constantly seeking guidance from the staff at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue throughout the entire process.
Pereira expressed her feelings about the decision to euthanize her pet with gratitude, stating, “After I conversed with them, I truly felt that I was making the right choice. They provided me with the support and encouragement I needed to understand that, although it was difficult, it was ultimately the best decision to make.”
In late March 2023, after enduring numerous sleepless nights witnessing Beau’s evident pain, Pereira made the difficult decision to take him to Montgomery County Animal Services in Derwood, Maryland. She paid $15 for the euthanasia procedure. Unfortunately, she was informed that the shelter’s policy prohibited individuals from staying with their pets during the process.
While visiting her mother in Maryland last week, she became curious and decided to browse the rescue’s website to see the dogs available for adoption. That’s when she stumbled upon Beau’s picture. Despite being slightly bigger, the puppy had the same markings and was still called Amos Hart, the name the rescue had given him prior to her adoption. The name was inspired by a character from the musical “Chicago.”
Pereira received a call informing him that the dog “will never go back to you.” The caller abruptly ended the conversation.
Rescue spokesperson Chloe Floyd refused to address inquiries regarding whether someone at the rescue made those remarks to Pereira. However, she justified the choice to not give back the dog.
Both the rescue and the shelter blamed Pereira for not agreeing to the thorough testing to determine whether the dog was experiencing neurological issues.
