PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE BIO BEFORE APPLYING
Poppy is a wonderful dog, but not every home is the right fit for her. Understanding her medical condition and specific needs is essential to her success and happiness. Please carefully review all information below before submitting an application.
The Basics
Poppy is an approximately 8-year-old Golden Retriever with a heart of pure gold who is searching for the family she deserves after surviving a difficult life as a breeding mom in a puppy mill. Despite everything she's endured, Poppy remains remarkably resilient, brave, loyal, affectionate, and loving. For the right family, the devotion and companionship she offers in return is priceless.
The Medical Needs
Poppy has a significant heart condition that requires medication twice daily and ongoing monitoring. Earlier this year, following her spay surgery, Poppy developed aspiration pneumonia. Against the odds, she fought her way through that life-threatening complication and survived. Unfortunately, the ordeal was not without consequences, and it caused additional strain and damage to her heart.
Poppy is currently not in congestive heart failure, but her cardiologist has advised that she is trending in that direction. While we cannot predict exactly what the future holds, we believe it is important to be completely transparent with potential adopters about her prognosis.
What we can say with certainty is that Poppy has repeatedly shown us just how resilient she is. Throughout the year she has been in our care, she has overcome obstacle after obstacle with quiet determination and grace. She continues to enjoy life, seeks affection, plays fetch, spends time with her dog friends, and embraces each day with the same gentle spirit that has made everyone who meets her fall in love.
Because of her medical condition, we know Poppy's future may look different than that of a healthy younger dog. Whether she has years ahead of her or less time than we hope, our greatest wish is for her to spend whatever time she has left in a home of her own.
Poppy deserves more than being a rescue dog. She deserves to be someone's dog. We are searching for a family willing to open their heart to an extraordinary senior girl and give her the forever home she has waited her entire life to find.
The Good Stuff
Like many puppy mill survivors, Poppy arrived in rescue unsure of the world around her. She had never experienced the consistency, kindness, and security that every dog deserves. Through patience, routine, and lots of love in her foster home, she has made tremendous progress and continues to blossom.
Poppy is deeply bonded to her people and proudly considers herself a stage-five clinger. Once you've earned her trust, she wants to be by your side as much as possible. She thrives on affection, loves a good game of fetch, is highly food-motivated, and treasures her Nylabone above all other possessions.
While Poppy has come a long way since arriving in rescue, she still has some understandable fears. She can be cautious about her leash, sudden movements, and unfamiliar men with beards. These are common behaviors for dogs with her background and continues to improve with gentle, patient handling. Doorways, which once caused significant anxiety, are now much less concerning and may only become an issue in entirely new environments.
Poppy has modest exercise needs and is not a high-energy dog. Long hikes and busy dog parks aren't her idea of fun, but she absolutely loves zooming around a fenced yard and playing fetch. She is also making excellent progress on short walks. When walking alone, she can feel a bit anxious, but when accompanied by her canine foster sisters, she becomes relaxed and confident.
She is generally housebroken but does not always vocalize when she needs to go outside (sometimes she'll merely go to the door), so a consistent schedule helps her remain accident-free.
Although she can be timid in certain situations, Poppy is surprisingly comfortable in busy social settings. She can happily accompany her family to gatherings and parties as long as she feels understood and has doggy companions to help her feel safe.
The Requirements (No Exceptions)
To ensure a successful adoption, Poppy is looking for a home that includes:
A securely fenced yard
At least one other confident dog companion
A patient, compassionate family that understands trust is earned over time and cannot be rushed
Adoption fee is $250.00 and includes spay/neuter, microchip, fecal/deworming, vaccines and prevention up to date. Ohio residents only.
STS is a foster-based and volunteer-run rescue. We do not have a physical location or set hours for you to meet dogs, and it does take time to answer each inquiry. All dogs are in foster homes and once an application is approved and a home visit is completed you will be able to schedule meet and greets with available dogs. We encourage interested individuals to get approved prior to searching as it helps expedite the process. A Petfinder inquiry is not a substitute for an application. For detailed information about our adoption process, including fees, please visit our website at http://www.stopthesuffering.org.
SHILOH
Great Pyrenees
🇺🇸
Columbus, Ohio
male, large, adult
Great Pyrenees
Columbus, Ohio
