When Poppy was just a young pup, she suffered a devastating injury that crushed her spine and left her hind legs paralyzed. It’s believed she was either trampled by an animal or cruelly kicked by someone. She lived with this injury for weeks, possibly even months, before she painstakingly dragged herself to a remote research camp in desperate need of assistance.
Susanne Vogel, who works at an elephant research camp in Botswana’s northern Okavango region, was astonished when she and her colleagues spotted Poppy slowly making her way into their camp.
“She came crawling—literally crawling, because her back legs were completely immobilized—into our research camp,” Vogel told The Dodo. “She was unable to walk but was full of love and seeking help.”
Vogel and her coworkers immediately took Poppy in and cared for her as best they could. With the nearest veterinarian an eight-hour drive away, they watched over her for a few days until they could make the journey, still amazed that she had survived both her injuries and the trek to their camp.
“Our camp is situated in a remote area teeming with elephants, but it’s also home to lions, hyenas, and other predators,” Vogel explained. “Against all odds, Poppy had made it to us—she was emaciated and soaked from the rain.”
After bravely navigating her way there, evading predators and further injuries, her rescuers knew they had to do everything possible to help her heal.
Eventually, Poppy and one of her newfound friends, Graham McCulloch, undertook an eight-hour drive over hazardous roads, followed by a ferry crossing over a river to reach the nearest veterinary clinic. The veterinarian determined that Poppy was about seven months old and would ultimately need surgery to repair her injured spine. A team member, Amanda Stronza, started a GoFundMe campaign to raise the necessary funds, while Poppy continued to grow stronger with each passing day.
“The veterinarian said her chances of surviving the surgery or recovering afterward were ‘slim,’ recounted Stronza. ‘But she was so full of life, and I knew we had to honor her will to live and the hard fight she had already endured to find us and stay alive. I couldn’t agree to euthanize her.’
After a few days of nourishing food, ample water, and anti-inflammatory medication, Poppy’s condition improved dramatically. The vet decided it would be best to let her continue regaining strength before attempting the risky surgery. Poppy amazes her rescuers every day with her progress, even managing to put the tiniest bit of weight on her back legs. They knew from the moment they met her that she was special, but they never imagined just how far she would come.
‘Her eyes drew us in immediately,’ Stronza said. ‘They are large, imploring, and full of life. She radiates the sweetest spirit, and we could see that clearly, despite the dire condition she was in.'”
Poppy is presently staying with her friends in Botswana, focusing on regaining her health and strength. In a month’s time, her rescuers plan to reassess her condition to determine the best course of action moving forward. They remain hopeful for Poppy, the determined little dog who refuses to give up.
“She already has countless people worldwide who care for her from a distance, checking on her daily progress and eagerly awaiting a happy outcome—specifically, her adoption into a loving family,” Stronza shared. “Whether she regains the ability to walk on her own or gets wheels to assist her mobility, I believe she has a bright future ahead!”
