Couple spent $7000 on their 9-week-old dream puppy — only to be told the next day he should be put down

A little life bought with hope ended in silent heartbreak.

PUBLISHED 7 HOURS AGO

(L) A sad couple hugging each other. (R) A vet checking a pet dog. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Hispanolistic, (R) Seventy Four)

Bringing home a new puppy is often one of life’s happiest moments. But sometimes, that joy can turn into heartbreak quickly. In a recent story reported by iHeartDogs, one couple’s excitement over welcoming a new furry friend was tragically short-lived. Taylor Rhodes and his girlfriend had just brought home a nine-week-old puppy they purchased for almost $7000 and named Maverick. Within hours, a veterinarian delivered terrible news.

A sad couple hugging each other. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | SDI Productions)

The couple had purchased Maverick from Pet Fair inside The Woodlands Mall in Texas, agreeing to a payment plan totaling nearly $6,500. At first, everything seemed fine, but soon after arriving home, Rhodes noticed Maverick was acting strangely. Worried, they rushed him to Blue Pearl Emergency Animal Hospital, where veterinarians discovered that the puppy had severe bladder stones.

A dachshund pet dog at a vet clinic. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Seventy Four)

The heartbreaking diagnosis left them with no other option; Maverick had to be euthanized. “I remember sitting in the lobby bawling my eyes out,” Rhodes said, still shocked by the loss. Pet Fair initially canceled the payment plan, but refused to pay the nearly $2,000 vet bill. But the local news involvement finally changed the store’s stance.. After being contacted by Fox 26, Pet Fair agreed to cover the veterinary costs. “They were generous people,” Rhodes said. “I respect that.”

According to a report, high veterinary care costs can place a financial burden on pet owners and create emotional stress for vets. Many vets feel unprepared to manage clients with limited budgets and say their workplaces offer little support when it comes to setting or explaining fees.

A happy couple with their pet dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Nicky Lloyd)

Pet Fair has been in business for over 30 years and claims to take great pride in caring for both animals and customers, as they shared with Fox 26. Despite that, Maverick’s story is a painful reminder of the risks of buying pets from retail stores. Health issues in young animals can go unnoticed until it’s too late. According to a report by the Journal of the American Medical Association Network, pet stores can carry diseases that may be threatening to the public as well. A study found 168 cases of Campylobacter infections linked to pet store puppies from 2011 to 2020. Of these, 97% had contact with a dog, and 88% specifically with pet store puppies. The bacteria were resistant to seven antibiotic types, making common treatments ineffective in many of these drug-resistant cases.

Many animal advocates point to this as a reason to adopt instead of shop. Shelters and rescues are filled with healthy, loving animals looking for homes. Adoption not only gives pets a second chance but also helps families avoid some of the high costs and heartbreak that can come with retail purchases. According to recent reports, many individuals prefer adopting pets rather than buying them from pet stores. As reported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in 2024, about 4.2 million shelter animals found loving homes, which is similar to the number adopted in 2023. This included around 2 million dogs and 2.2 million cats. The steady adoption rate shows that many people continue to choose shelter animals when adding a pet to their family.