Poppy

Poppy is from Dogs Trust Glasgow, where I actually work, and she has come on leaps and bounds since then, almost a different dog! I never saw myself as a labradoodle person. I actually really wanted a Samoyed puppy for my first dog and I even got a second job to try to afford one! However, one day at work, the team were asked if anyone wanted to work with Poppy closely as she needed some behavioural help. There was a wee pause so I offered and that decision changed my life tbh! We worked on her grooming, muzzle training for her vets (just in case), her confidence and socialising. 

I fell in love with Poppy and her cheeky personality. She was very stressed in kennels, but she had such a big heart and loved the snow and sand, and me!

A long story short, Poppy was so popular but since she was a handful, she kept getting cancelled. So when our house was almost ready, and she was cancelled again, I asked if I could put a hold on her and the rest is history. I knew she was the one, I hadn't even asked my partner, so I phoned him afterwards to tell him what I'd done!

On the day of adoption, Poppy was bouncing in her kennel buzzing to see me, excited for her daily 20 minute walk, but little did she know, she'd never be in a kennel again!

She was highly reactive and we couldn't walk across the street without her barking and lunging at random people, also having people over to our new home was challenging. I would arm myself with a full treat pouch before every walk, trying to change her emotional reaction, and over time it did. As the months went on, she made some human and dog friends and started to learn that most people actually carry treats! 

We started agility as a fun hobby as I knew she loved jumping and she has surpassed my expectations! She is so much fun to run with and eager to please me. The agility community is also amazing and I'm so proud of our journey. The dog we adopted couldn't have even handled walking around a show at first! Whilst we've had our battles with the weaves, she very rarely puts a paw out of place and also loves mooching from any willing human! 

She is my first ever dog that I waited 26 years for, and she is just everything! 💖 

Clare Herd