Success stories

Fostered Chihuahua Finds Forever Home

Poppy was suffering from painful leg fractures when we rescued her. After careful rehabilitation, a temporary foster home with Olivia became permanent.

Published:

29/09/26
Poppy, a small, fluffy brown and black dog wearing a blue floral harness runs towards the camera on a sandy beach.
Poppy, a small, fluffy brown and black dog wearing a blue floral harness runs towards the camera on a sandy beach.

Every step was painful

Despite her serious leg injuries, the young Chihuahua was happy and friendly when RSPCA Inspector Patrick Bailey came to her aid. 

“It was so sad when I first saw Poppy,” says Patrick. “She was so happy and lovely, but to move and balance her weight she had to choose which fractured leg to walk on.

“She must have been in horrendous pain every time she moved before we got to her.”

There were fears that Poppy might need to have one of her legs amputated. But the badly fractured leg had already partly healed, so she was given pain management and the chance to recover.

A man and a woman wearing blue RSPCA uniforms stand outdoors in a grassy area, with the man holding Poppy, a small fluffy brown dog in his arms.

Before

Poppy with Patrick, who fostered her during her recovery, and Olivia, who went on to adopt her.

An RSPCA worker in a blue uniform bends down to hold the paw of Poppy, a small brown dog sitting on a sandy beach.

After

Now fully recovered, Poppy loves walks on the beach near her home with Olivia.

Even as she was healing from such serious injuries, she was such a happy, friendly little puppy with a real zest for life.

Patrick Bailey, RSPCA Inspector

Keeping Poppy's paws on the ground

Recovering from three fractures meant Poppy needed plenty of cage rest. For an energetic young puppy who wanted to jump around and explore, that wasn't always easy.

Patrick fostered Poppy during this time and had to make sure she didn't overdo it while her legs healed.

“We would take her into the garden on a lead at first so she could toilet without being tempted to try and run around,” he says.

When Patrick went on holiday, RSPCA Animal Care Assistant Olivia Ball offered to look after Poppy. 

“The idea was to foster her and get her ready for a new home,” says Olivia. “But I couldn't give her up, so I adopted her. We just bonded so much.”

Poppy recovered from three leg fractures without needing an amputation.

“She's a real ray of sunshine”

Adopting Poppy came at an important time for Olivia, who was dealing with health problems and grieving the loss of her cat of 23 years.

“She brought something into my life which until then I didn't know I was missing,” says Olivia.

Poppy could still become very anxious and would sometimes be sick from stress. But gradually, she became more settled.

“For the past year she hasn't had any sick episodes in my care, so it looks like it’s something she’s got over,” says Olivia. “She just needed lots of reassurance.”

Today, Poppy’s injuries don’t hold her back. She loves walking on the beach, running into the sea and meeting other dogs. 

“She’s great company and so loving and playful, a real ray of sunshine,” says Olivia. “Adopting is so rewarding. Not only are you helping a pet in need, but it frees up space for another pet, like Poppy, to be rehabilitated and rehomed.”

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