Introduction
I didn’t even think of doing this — probably didn’t want to. I don’t like talking about myself.
But someone I love and trust said it might help put some context around the whole site. And I think she was right, so here we go.
The move
In 2020, I moved from London to Penwortham in Lancashire. I have some very close friends here, and when visiting them, it quickly became clear I was much happier here than I’d been in London.
I’d been through a bit of a rough time over the past few years, so the move was meant to be a bit of a new start.
It was a big change though, and not without its challenges.
But like most challenges in life, these things only serve to make us stronger.
Aside from the friends I already had here, I’m incredibly lucky to say I’ve made many more very close friends.
They’re all dog owners or lovers, and being around them really reignited my desire to have a dog in my life again.
I’d gotten to the point where that was possible, but like I said — it’s been a rough few years, and I think I was procrastinating about making any more big changes.
Poppy
Then one day, one of these friends heard through the grapevine that a 13-year-old Springer Spaniel was in need of a home.
You can read about the story here.
And in November 2023, Poppy came into my life. Suffice it to say, the effect she’s had on me is immeasurable.
I think we can sometimes fall into the trap of just coasting along and not taking stock of experiences that might have shaped us.
We don’t always take the time to reflect on the impact of those experiences. We forget that it’s important to acknowledge pain — and what we’ve been through.
Even as you move on and things get better, that doesn’t mean you’ve dealt with things. And that can be deceptive.
It gets to the point where you don’t really know you’re drowning until someone hands you a line.
The Poppy Effect
Well, Poppy handed me a line.
She isn’t a hard dog to take care of. She’s old, doesn’t do any tricks, and certainly isn’t obedient.
So you might wonder what’s so special about her.
Well, that’s what this site is about. It’s my attempt to communicate that — and maybe also to articulate it to myself.
I don’t fully know how to explain it yet. But I do know that if I don’t pay attention, there’s a chance I might miss one of the most beautiful moments of my life.
The biggest thing she’s done is fill me with a renewed sense of the importance of gratitude. I don’t want to squander that. I want to appreciate it.
We don’t shove fine food in our mouths without tasting it. We don’t pour fine wine down our throats without experiencing it.
There’s nothing to Poppy — she’s just a dog, 13 years old, with almost no demands.
She isn’t complicated, but she’s quietly profound. She doesn’t demand anything; she simply offers a calm, grounding presence — and asks only to be loved and feel safe.
And anyone who comes in contact with her sees that.
The Site
So thepoppyeffect.com is here.
I think that’s what this site is about. I want to share the effect she’s had on me — The Poppy Effect — and hopefully you might see a way it could help you too.
And of course, I’d love the site to encourage people to consider rescue or rehomed dogs.
All they need is love and food.
Like the tagline for the site says:
