After what seemed like a fresh start, Poppy — a small senior rescue dog — is sadly back in foster care once again. She was returned to her rescue organization just three days after being adopted, as she hadn’t yet formed a bond with her new family.

Poppy’s story has touched many hearts. Her life changed suddenly when her long-time owner, the only person she had ever known, was hospitalized and never returned home. A kind neighbour took her in temporarily, but concerns about her age made her future uncertain. That’s when a rescue organization stepped in to give her a safe place to stay.

When Poppy arrived, she was in poor health and required immediate veterinary care — including major dental work and surgery to remove a mass from her mouth. After weeks of recovery, she finally began to show signs of trust and comfort with her foster family.

Then came what everyone hoped would be her happy ending — a quiet, loving home that seemed to suit her perfectly. However, as the rescue later explained, Poppy is still emotionally fragile after losing everything familiar to her.

“Poppy needs time to feel safe again,” one of her foster carers shared. “She’s not ready to bond quickly after what she’s been through. It’s heartbreaking to see her confusion, but we know she just needs patience and consistency.”

The rescue organization emphasized that this is a common challenge in rehoming older or traumatized animals. Dogs like Poppy often need several weeks — sometimes months — to adjust to new surroundings, learn routines, and rebuild trust.

They urged future adopters to remember that the process takes time and that rescue animals can’t simply “move on” overnight. “If you’re not ready to offer time, patience, and emotional support,” a spokesperson noted, “please think carefully before adopting. These dogs have already lost so much — they deserve stability and understanding.”

Poppy has now returned to her previous foster home, where she’s being cared for with love and gentle reassurance. While her story is bittersweet, the rescue team remains hopeful that her forever home is still out there — one that will give her the time she needs to heal and trust again.

For now, Poppy is safe, loved, and surrounded by people who refuse to give up on her.