Playful Poppy, the famous Fijian dog who grabbed headlines
two years ago, is back again with her very own book, The Poppy Project. Poppy
shot to fame when animal lovers world wide contributed to her reconstructive
surgery after a hunting accident left her maimed and on the brink of death.
Poppy got a new nose, a new life, and a new Happy Ever After family in
Australia.
Although Poppy is now famous in her home country of Fiji and
her new country Australia, I had never heard of this brave little dog until I
saw an episode of Bondi Vet on Animal Planet, dedicated solely to Poppy’s story
of rescue and reconstructive surgery. I cried and laughed alternately through
the show as I watched Poppy’s tale of woe unfold and then turn to joy. Despite
the horrific injuries to her snout, and the pain and discomfort she must have
felt many times during her long road to recovery, that tail never stopped
wagging and her wonderful doggy smile never left her face. Poppy showed love
and joyfulness at all times. She was just ecstatic to be with people. I was
moved by the number of people who formed a chain of love stretching from Fiji
to Australia and, indeed, the rest of the world in an effort to give one dog a
chance at life. Poppy grabbed that chance between her teeth and
ran with it. Poppy’s miracle began the day someone spotted her foraging for
food, malnourished and clearly suffering. Without significant and drastic help,
Poppy would never have survived. That help came.
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| Poppy on arrival at Animals Fiji |
Julie Hoskison of the West Charity
Trust Society says: “Poppy’s
story shows what is possible when people refuse to look the other way. This
poor little creature was just holding on to life and could not have lasted more
than a few more weeks without food. In Fiji, thin, unwanted dogs are a dime a
dozen and Poppy was just another one of these. My thanks go to Headmaster
Segran Pillay who was the first to notice her and took time to help; and to the
hundreds of others who then played their part in her miraculous journey. I hope
Poppy’s story inspires others to go out of their way to help creatures in
need.”
This book is a must
for readers who enjoy heart-warming animal stories and who would like to do
more for animals but do not know how. Included are easy tips on how to make a
difference, a wonderful poem written by Poppy about her Pretty Ever After life,
Poppy’s Classroom Capers quiz, and a short story fiction for younger readers. Poppy
makes public appearances as the spokesdog for Animals Fiji and inspires even
more people she meets in person.
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| Poppy in her role as Ambassadog for Animals Fiji! |
Poppy has never forgotten her
friends left behind in Fiji and, as Ambassadog for Animals Fiji, this playful
pooch is doing something to help the many needy animals in Fiji. Animals Fiji’s
motto is “No animal is turned away” but they need help and Poppy’s book aims to
raise both awareness and funds for this worthy cause.
Poppy’s miracle is now complete. Please share her message of happiness and, by
doing so, in some small way you will be helping other animals—the ones left
behind.
