Every dog parent knows that losing a furry baby is utterly heartbreaking. The bond between a dog and its human is strong and irreplaceable, and when that bond is broken, the pain feels insurmountable. One dog mama, Kristie Pereira, faced this pain head-on when she believed she had to put her puppy, Beau, down.
Kristie And Beau
Upon adopting Beau, an adorable hound-mix puppy from a shelter in Northern Virginia, Kristie was fully committed to being a dog owner. She spent countless days enjoying playdates and cozy naps with her pup. However, after a few months, she noticed Beau’s behavior changed, and it prompted a visit to the vet.
The vet informed Kristie that Beau might have neurological issues and prescribed medication, recommending an emergency room visit if no improvements were seen. Unfortunately, his condition remained unchanged, leading her to the ER, where they confirmed Beau had significant health problems.
Despite the options of expensive tests, the vet advised her that they likely wouldn’t improve Beau’s health, suggesting she consider euthanasia. With a heavy heart and deep consideration, Kristie made the agonizing choice to put Beau down at the Montgomery County Animal Services.
Shocking Discovery
As the animal service’s policy prohibited owners from being present during the euthanasia, Kristie had to say her goodbyes outside. “I can’t imagine anyone who simply wanted to get rid of their dog feeling the way I did. None of this was easy,” she told Fox 32.
Fox 32 later acquired a form that dog owners must complete for euthanasia, which included a bold note confirming the owner’s request for humane euthanasia. However, it also indicated that if the county determined a pet was treatable and adoptable, they had the right to treat the dog and place it for adoption.
Surprisingly, after a thorough examination, it was revealed that Beau was suffering from a liver issue. Instead of euthanizing him, the team treated him and sent him back to his original shelter in Northern Virginia without Kristie’s knowledge. While she grieved the loss of her beloved pup, she stumbled upon a Facebook post about a puppy up for adoption — and it turned out to be Beau!
Kristie was left astonished and overwhelmed by mixed emotions. “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster. He was like my little baby,” she shared with the news team. Montgomery County Animal Services stated they do not contact owners if a pet isn’t euthanized unless the owner expresses immediate regret. According to Kristie, she was told to make the decision she felt most comfortable with concerning Beau’s health issues.
The adoption organization empathized with Kristie’s feelings but reiterated their strict policy against returning surrendered dogs to their former owners. This is how Beau’s journey took such an unexpected turn.
