Our Sensitive Poppy

Written, and photographs supplied by Lauren Námer

I saw a post by No More Tears Animal Rescue looking for an urgent foster home for a little girl who’d recently been rescued. She had large mammary tumours and needed a safe space to recover.

As a breast cancer survivor myself, I felt deeply compelled to help her, and my husband was immediately on board.

I’d previously rehabilitated many rescues when I ran my own organisation, and this special girl needed a great deal of care, especially as she still required a second surgery to remove the remaining cancer.

When we collected her, we realised just how traumatised she was. Being a reactive dog, she’d need patience, gentleness, and time. It took several days before she wagged her tail. She didn’t tolerate touch, except on her head, so we made sure to always get her “consent” and respect her space.

Over the following weeks, she slowly began to trust us – and it warmed our hearts more than I can describe. The more she allowed us to touch her, the more I could see the physical reminders of the abuse she’d endured. Beneath her wire-haired coat were large scars, the evidence of trauma which no animal should ever experience. She’d clearly suffered terribly. Not only had she been used repeatedly for breeding and left with massive tumours, but she’d also been through unimaginable abuse.

My husband and I knew then that we couldn’t let her go to another home where her needs might not be fully understood. We decided to ask the rescue organisation if we could adopt her and make her part of our family. We named her Poppy.

Poppy is the sensitive soul, with so much love to give. Although she still has triggers, and doesn’t tolerate being lifted just yet, she’s incredibly affectionate and eager to please, and we absolutely adore her. She’s learned from our other animals that touch is good, and she’s become my shadow. There’s something profoundly rewarding about watching a dog who’s suffered begin to feel safe, to trust, and to understand that they’re finally loved.

We’re so grateful to Stephan Hendricks and the entire team at No More Tears Animal Rescue for rescuing and saving this precious girl, and for giving us the opportunity to ensure that she’ll never know harm again.

Poppy has now recovered from her second surgery and we’ll continue to monitor her closely for any signs of the cancer returning, but hope that from here on out she’ll have the peace and happiness she so deserves.