01/10/2026
Poppy. My girl. Bubs. My soulmate. She died in my arms this morning. Part of me died with her.
09.01.14 - 01.10.26 🌈
Forgive my eulogising her, but it's important, she was special. It's impossible to fully explain her importance, but she both literally and metaphorically saved my life. That's not an exaggeration and very few people know in full detail the extent to which she impacted and extended my life. Her butterfly effect is absolutely massive: without her there would be no me.
In 2019, Rosa the border collie came into her life. For the first 2 weeks at home we thought we'd made a terrible mistake and that they weren't compatible. Then all of a sudden, Rosa leapt onto Poppy's head from the sofa (deliberately) and they were best friends. I loved watching them play, it was so wholesome. Pure. And best friends they stayed, right to the end.
She was the perfect family dog, even though that wasn't how she set out. She grew into that role as our lives changed, first with the arrival of Macsen, and then Merlyn, and my nephews in the middle. Prodded, poked, tail grabbed, fur pulled...still she'd go back for more. She absolutely loved it. Macsen's arrival in particular seemed to give her a new lease of life, she mothered him. I can't begin to explain how a dog with zero experience of dealing and living with noisy, grabby children came to be so good with kids. But she did. She doted on and adored our boys and always liked to interact with other children when we were out and about.
It's questionable whether Sophie, my (now) wife, embraced Poppy into her life or whether it was the other way around. Given that Poppy was always the boss of everyone it was probably all on her. Their relationship was beautiful, like it was always meant to be and nothing could get in its way.
She is the reason I started my own business. Some people know the story behind me doing that, many don't, but it involved someone asking me what I enjoy doing. The answer? Walking my dog, Poppy. She gave me the courage to do it, and throw myself into it. During the course of her life she met and walked with near as makes no difference 500 dogs. Many of my customers will have heard me describe her as my marshall, I trusted her absolutely, without question. If you ever described your dog as "difficult", "challenging", "anti-social", "shy", "introverted" or anything similar during a meet and greet...my solution would be Poppy. If your dog was slowly integrated into group walks that you never thought were possible, the solution was Poppy. Always, always Poppy. If you were ever at home during drop offs and pick ups, she, was why you knew we'd arrived. I'd give absolutely anything to hear her singing again.
She was the solution to everything. The answer to many questions that weren't even asked. In my darkest days she brought light. In my happiest times, she was there to experience it alongside me. To make it even better. She made me laugh more than a dog ever really should. She truly was special. I miss her. I'll always miss her.
If you've read this far, well done and thank you for sparing some time to know a small amount about Poppy. I'm sorry this is lengthy, but this is just a fraction of what she deserves. I could write an entire book about her. Maybe one day I will. You've had the briefest of insights into what a special dog she was. I'm so proud to have called her my dog, and I feel honoured that she blessed my life and my family's lives with so much happiness.
Somehow I need to find a way to keep going without her, but I'm sure that she'll still find a way to guide me forwards and drag me away from dark scary places. She has absolutely shattered my heart, but I wouldn't change it for the world. To have known her, loved her, been loved by her...it genuinely has been the greatest honour.
Sometimes she was a lunatic. Sometimes she was lazy. Sometimes she was muddy. Sometimes she was very muddy. Sometimes she was smelly. Sometimes she was loud. Sometimes she was even annoying. Sometimes she took years off me by disappearing for 40 minutes in the woods to explore. But she was always special. And she always had all of her love to give. I was just lucky enough to be one of the people on the receiving end.
Just a dog. No. Everything.
My protector, my hero, my saviour.
This last photo is her final one ever, and she's as beautiful here as the day I first laid eyes on her.
We had some proper adventures together and one day I'll see you again. Nos da my baby bear. I love you beyond words. Thank you for everything ❤️🩹 x
