For a long time I was wanting to get a dog. A puppy in fact, from a breeder. I was looking around at Breeds, and Breeders and spending hours on YouTube.
I had also become designated babysitter for my friends dogs. And I was joining them on lots of walks.
But like anyone I can procrastinate. OK ok, like most men I procrastinate.
So I talked and talked and talked about it and loved spending time with my friends and there dogs.
You might say I was putting the message out to the world that I wanted a dog.
So on the 22nd of November 2023 when a close friend of mine was on a work call, and a colleague came over and said she was looking for a home for a 13yo Springer Spaniel, my friend instantly started WhatsApping me.
Turns out this poor girls owner couldn’t take care of her any more and the family were looking to rehome her as they weren’t able to take her.

Turns out this poor girls owner couldn’t take care of her any more and the family were looking to re-home her as they weren’t able to take her.
I saw the preview of the message on my phone and with trepidation ignored it for a few hours as I wasn’t sure what to think.
I replied later in the day and was keen to talk to the family more.
I started dialogue with the owners Granddaughter her Aunty who’s one of the owners Daughters.
The family asked several questions which was very encouraging they didn’t just want to fob Poppy off they wanted to know she’d go to a good home.
The chats went well and she sent me a few images and videos which raised excitement levels.

Eventually we agreed and it was only a matter of organising the drop off. Poppy was a couple of hours away so it had to be when they had a family visit.
Then on the 25th of November…

The Poppy Effect had begun…