Peace Officer's first-hand account of rescuing Poppy
Unfortunately, as an Alberta SPCA Peace Officer I see far too many heart-breaking situations involving animals in Alberta. And through the hundreds of investigations I participate in each year, there are always a few that stand out.
Poppy’s story is one of them.
The words that come to mind when I think of the first time I saw the tiny Biewer terrier are filthy, skinny and scared.
I think you’d agree with me that no animal should live this way. But here Poppy was wasting away.
Poppy was one of 56 dogs removed from a southern Alberta property earlier this year. Most were small breeds, and even compared to those other dogs, Poppy was tiny.
She was found away from the others, outside and confined to a small area with almost no room to run around. Her space was dirty — feces everywhere. There was no food, no water.
While removing Poppy from her filthy surroundings was a priority, she had other ideas. Poppy was baring her teeth as she scrambled to avoid my grasp. She clearly had little experience with human touch, and she was not happy about being caught.
This poor pup could not understand that she was being saved. I felt overwhelming sadness for the life this little puppy had experienced to this point.
Poppy's story continues below....
Alberta SPCA's Holiday Wish List
Poppy had significant health issues.
Once in our care, Poppy was safe, but it was obvious to me and the rest of our team that her road to recovery would be long. Her hair was badly matted, and she was extremely malnourished. When anyone tried to pick her up, Poppy cowered. Everything she experienced in those first few days was scary.
Poppy received a lot of veterinary care in the beginning, including extensive dental work to remove 19 teeth, and treatment for a lice infestation and a skin infection.
But I’m happy to share with you that Poppy’s life has gone from one extreme to another.
Poppy now enjoys curling up on the couch with her new family while they watch TV. Her toy basket is overflowing, and she likes to play with all of them, leaving a trail of toys throughout the house.
Poppy’s hair and skin are doing much better, and she even tolerates the groomer. And Poppy never has to worry about her next meal.
Most importantly, instead of sleeping on the cold ground, Poppy now has a soft dog bed keeping her warm, where she likes to curl up or stretch out as she naps in comfort.
All 56 dogs from this seizure received veterinary care and social training. We are happy to let you know all were transferred to one of our sheltering partners so they could be connected with loving families!
I witness a lot of distressing situations in my role as a Peace Officer which is why it’s so gratifying to see how far Poppy has come. Thanks to your support, this puppy and so many others are living the pampered lives they deserve.
I hope you will send a gift today so other animals who need our help receive it, just like Poppy. Thank you for your kindness and compassion for all animals.
With warmest holiday wishes and sincere gratitude,
Peace Officer Joel
Thank you for your generosity, kindness, and empathy for at-risk animals this holiday season.
The gift values and descriptions on our Holiday Wish List are representative of the wide variety of care and treatment provided for animals that the Alberta SPCA supports. Donations to the Wish List will be used by the Alberta SPCA for the agency’s most urgent needs to protect animals in Alberta.