Some rescue stories pull at your heartstrings, and Poppy's is no exception. This sweet girl’s journey began at Miami-Dade Animal Services, where she arrived as a 6-month-old stray. With a severe distal femur fracture, small wounds scattered across her body, and a laceration on her face, it was clear she had been through a lot in her short life. By the time she was just 7 months old, Poppy found herself on the euthanasia list, facing an uncertain and grim future. That’s when we stepped in.
A Heart-Stopping Discovery
The moment she settled into my lap in the car, I felt something in her belly. The next morning, Poppy woke up showing signs of an upper respiratory infection, so we rushed her to the vet. What we thought would be a standard checkup turned into a shocking discovery: within seconds of the exam, the vet ordered an ultrasound, suspecting she might be pregnant.
And he was right.
At just 7 months old, this little puppy, who was still a baby herself, was pregnant—with five puppies! She was already more than halfway through her pregnancy. As if that weren’t
enough to process, we still didn’t know if she would even be able to keep her leg. Poppy was scheduled to see an orthopedic surgeon five days later.
Physical Therapy and Pregnancy
At her orthopedic consult, the surgeon gave us a glimmer of hope. He recommended we start physical therapy right away, saying that if Poppy could regain function in her leg, she wouldn’t need an amputation. Over the next three weeks, while we waited for the puppies to be born, we worked on light physical therapy with her, focusing on building strength and mobility.
Then, just 3.5 weeks later, Poppy gave birth to five healthy puppies. It was an incredible moment, and we were so proud of this strong, resilient girl.
Setbacks and Triumphs
Poppy’s journey wasn’t without more challenges. Three weeks after giving birth, Poppy got sick and had to go on antibiotics, which triggered another issue—mastitis. This painful infection in her mammary glands required additional treatment, but through it all, Poppy remained the happiest, most cheerful pup. Her love for life never wavered, and it was clear that she was determined to keep moving forward.
Once again, she bounced back. She regained her health, continued building muscle in her legs, and soon she was running, jumping, and playing just like any other dog! Even though her recovery was long, Poppy never gave up. We eventually learned that she might have internal nerve damage for the rest of her life, causing her to urinate randomly. She’ll need medication to manage it, but that hasn’t dimmed her sparkle one bit.
A Furever Home
Throughout her journey, Poppy and her five puppies were fostered in our home. We formed an unbreakable bond with Poppy, watching her fight through every challenge with a wagging tail and a bright spirit. It wasn’t long before we realized they couldn’t part with her. So, we made it official—Poppy became a permanent member of our family, where she’ll live out the rest of her days surrounded by love and care.
Poppy’s story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope. This brave girl overcame so much—pain, injury, illness, and the challenges of motherhood—yet she never lost her joy. She’s a true survivor, and now she has the forever home she deserves.
Welcome home, Poppy.
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