I wish this experience on no man, woman, or canine:
A rough trip for 5-year-old rescue pup, Bluebell.
It was enough that she had to get into that crate and move halfway across the world to the United States, but this — this was an awful experience.
The family, who was moving from London to Tennessee, discovered the shocking snafu when they arrived at the Nashville International Airport and were given the wrong dog, according to a new report.
"They said she wasn't in Nashville, and they said their best guess was she was in Saudi Arabia," Madison Miller told WSMV, referring to her beloved 5-year-old rescue pup named Bluebell.
After about an hour, airport staff sent her a photo of Bluebell locked in her crate, confirming that she was in the middle eastern kingdom.
Can you imagine how this news would hit you?
I'd be just crushed!
The good news is that the Miller family got their dog back.
The bad news:
For three days Miller and her husband restlessly waited for their dog to be returned to them. However, when they finally got her back after three flights and 63 hours, they said she'd changed into a completely different dog.
"I anticipated kind of like the reunion you see on YouTube," Miller said. "Like she comes out of the crate, she's wagging and licking your face. It was the opposite."
Instead, she bolted.
"We had to go and grab her because she was so horrified and that's when we knew something was wrong," Miller said.
Since moving into her new home in Brentwood, Bluebell's problems have continued, she said. She often sits alone and cries and even chewed through a door.
Man, it pains me to read this.
Just the thought of your dog going through something like this. So sad.
In defense of British Airways, their cargo company claims to have done a pretty good job taking care of the pup during the mix up.
"We take the responsibility of caring for people's loved animals seriously and are investigating how the redirection happened," the company said in a statement to WSMV. "Whilst Bluebell's route was longer than it should have been, we ensured she was on the first flight back to Nashville from London Heathrow."
The company said that during the time the dog spent with them she "received refreshments frequently and had time outside to stretch her legs – including regular walks and eight hours with the team at the Heathrow Animal Reception center who cared for her.
"Despite these measures, we understand that this has been an upsetting situation for Bluebell and her owners and remain in contact with them to resolve the situation."
Needless to say, the Millers are still hoping they can get a little financial compensation from the airline.
Best of luck, Miller family!
Hope you feel better, Bluebell!