Fate Brought Us Together

Two years ago today, I met my best friend for the first time!

She was terrified, skinny and filthy! Everything made her more terrified! Pointing to something behind her made her scream and cower in fear because she thought she was going to be hurt! 😢

She was so smelly and dirty that I had to shave all her fur off and bath her with 5 washes to make her smell more "normal"!

The vet that saw her for the first time said her body condition and the way she held herself suggested that she was kept in a cage because her back was curved, her front legs were curved and her paws and legs were stained dark from standing in wee, her tail has always had a healed break (another thing from being in a cage).

Within the first week, she had a suspected mis-carriage. This, as well as the condition she was in is what led the vet to believe she was used as a "breeding bitch" for some kind of puppy farm setting.

She had special dog knickers to keep everywhere clean whilst this was happening, then after waiting three months for it to be safe, I had her neutered!

As usual, the vets told us to keep her quiet, no jumping/boisterous activity, we didn't think this would be a problem because all Poppy ever did was sleep and cuddle! But, the day after her op, she decided she wanted to play!

She'd never done it before! She found a Pom Pom on the floor and started throwing it around and chasing it!!

She finally played! After three months!

I believe she knew that she wasn't a "puppy machine" anymore! It was the most beautiful thing to see her play! 😍💜

Most of the things Poppy knows now, she had to learn with us, she couldn't walk on a lead! She didn't understand what a harness was, so when we put hers on her, she would just lay down and hope we'd take it off or pull it off herself!

She didn't know any commands and it took a long time to teach her the first few because I had to gain her trust! She learnt "sit" first and then paw, these were her only "tricks" for a while.

Now she can do so many cute tricks and can learn something new in less than a day! People say that "chihuahuas aren't clever" or that they're stubborn and untrainable! Poppy is living proof that they're not! All it takes is time, patience and love! Now she's such a people pleaser! 💜

I like to keep Poppy's mind active by teaching her new things, to try and prevent her epilepsy from worsening, this was also something her vet was impressed with!

Since I've had her, Poppy's had a few problems, she's been diagnosed with canine idiopathic epilepsy and a luxating patella in her back leg, she had X-rays which showed the bottom part of her leg is curved, which is why her knee doesn't sit straight.

Whilst she was "resting" to try and heal her leg, she wasn't allowed much strenuous exercise for a while, which led her to get quite chunky 😂

I started an exercise plan with her to reduce her weight as well as strengthen her muscles in the affected leg and in a couple of months, she was back down to a good, healthy weight and her knee had gone from a grade 3-4/4 to a grade 1!

Poppy still has bad days with her leg, but it's under control now 💜

Some people are judgemental about the way I am with Poppy because she comes everywhere with me and because she has a "dog pram".

I've had countless amounts of people give snide comments about her being in the pram or being carried without even being asked if there's a reason, but I don't care anymore! It used to bother me, but now I think about how it helps Poppy and is the right thing for her, so who cares what anyone else thinks?! 💜

Not only do people judge me for this, but also sometimes because Poppy wears clothes, people seem to think she is neglected, when in reality, she enjoys the attention and treats and she only wears a coat/jumper for longer than 5 minutes if it's cold out for her walks in winter!

I enjoy photography a lot, especially using animals as subjects, Poppy being my number one model! So I try to be creative!

Poppy now models for two companies off Instagram now, because I've worked with her to perfect her poses and my photography skills to a better stage!

Poppy's "rescue" was more like fate! It took me a while to realise, but exactly three years before to the day, was the day I had to say goodbye to my beautiful Molly!

I hadn't forgotten, I just didn't realise both were on the same day for a while!

Exactly three years to the day after losing my first dog, Poppy came into my life.

I never thought I could actually have another dog again, I wanted another, but I didn't think I could.

Poppy proved me wrong, her rescue was really my rescue too! She helps me so much with my anxiety & depression, she comes everywhere with me!

I believe that fate brought us together!

She showed me that patience is the most important thing, patience takes time, but building trust to receive unconditional love and loyalty in return is what having a dog is all about!

Having a dog that has "problems" has been challenging because there have been times where Poppy has been so terrified of simple things that it's actually heart breaking to see! She used to wee herself in fear! If she hears any loud noises or shouting, she still makes a run for it now and hides, but she comes to me for comfort. She knows I'll look after her!

Two years ago, Poppy was a completely different dog, she was more like the body of a dog with a mind trapped by fear of everything around her! But I, as well as everyone in my family have helped me to gain her trust and build her confidence to make her the most amazing little dog I could've ever wished for!

Alfie played a massive part in her recovery too! With him being a puppy when he first came to us, they built a very loving bond together, Alfie encouraged Poppy to do a lot! He always encourages her to play and be brave! They always have their little squabbles, but straight after, they have a kiss fest! They really are like an old married couple! 🐶💜

I know there's still things that Poppy might or might not get better with in time, she's still not 100% confident doing things that she should be, but she makes small improvements all the time and for that, I'm so proud! Looking back on how she was when I first laid eyes on her, compared to how she is now is like a complete transformation and she makes me so proud every single day! 💜

To other people, she may be "just a dog" but to me, she is the world 🌎

I would do absolutely anything to make sure Poppy is safe and happy, she is my entire life and I love her more than anything 💜