'Euthanized' Dog Found Alive

A woman who owned a one-year-old Chihuahua named Lola received a shock when she was called about changing its microchip information to a new owner because she had previously approved euthanization for it by a veterinarian, so she had assumed it was deceased. Lola had been suffering after being attacked by another dog and the vet had told her Lola had only about a 20 percent chance of survival. The bill to attempt treating the injuries also would be high. So the woman signed a document allowing euthanization because she didn’t want her dog to suffer more.

The vet didn’t euthanize the dog though, it was given to a rehabilitation facility without the owner’s knowledge. Legally the vet could do this because the owner had signed the appropriate documentation, which transferred ownership rights to the vet.

If the account is true, it does seem very insensitive of a vet to charge a euthanization fee and then send the animal to a rehab center without telling the owner. Lola’s owner wants a refund and an apology. Her five-year old daughter was also understandably upset about Lola’s assumed death.

Remarkably, the woman who first owned Lola decided to let her former dog stay with the new owner, the person who took care of Lola and nursed her back to health. Her letting go and empathizing with the new owner is an admirable and perhaps rare moment of grace.

Microchips have been useful in a number of cases where pets are lost or presumed dead, though some people still resist getting them.

Image Credit: Paul Komarek Dog pictured above is not Lola.

And…
Have you seen the new Adoptable Pets page on Care2? Check it out here! Please also share with your friends – we’d love your help in finding great homes for these adorable animals!

Read more: Dogs, Pets

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Deepika B.

12:26AM PDT on Apr 25, 2012

I would say kudos to the vet who saved Lola....otherwise the owner in this case wanted her to die ( whatever may be the case...... ) First of all, I don't think anyone of us has the right to take away the most precious gift called life except of-course the Almighty! I believe there is always a way around than killing someone, Vet did just that, a very kind deed, luckily for Lola she healed in the rehab and found a much more loving n caring owner who willing to walk an extra mile.....I'm happy for you Lola, wishing you a long loving and healthy life ahead baby :)

send a green star

Nimue P.

6:28PM PDT on Apr 24, 2012

The woman who signed the order for the euthanasia wants an apology and a refund but not the dog? The mind boggles.

Suzanne L.

8:37AM PDT on Apr 24, 2012

The vet did right by Lola.

Sue M.

7:24AM PDT on Apr 23, 2012

thanks

Colleen W.

6:25AM PDT on Apr 18, 2012

Why does the article keep on referring to Lola as "it"?

Teresa C.

10:52PM PDT on Apr 17, 2012

So glad Lola is alive, and with the person who nursed her back to health. Shame on that "doctor"! Also, kudos to the former owner who allowed the second owner to keep the dog.

Debbie C.

7:28AM PDT on Mar 22, 2012

I am very happy that Lola survived and has a new, loving forever home!!

Akay E.

12:27PM PST on Mar 9, 2012

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Jo L.

9:41AM PST on Mar 9, 2012

I bet if this story were told from another perspective, you'd find that the original "owner" didn't want to spend a dime to help the pup, and just thought it would be cheaper to let it die. I know first hand of more than one vet that has secretly saved an animal because the owners didn't want to spend any money to fix the problem. I say BRAVO to this vet who respected the life of this young pup and knew it deserved a better life!

Grace J.

6:31AM PST on Mar 9, 2012

she should not have been charged