“And this is the moment I sobbed” 💔
Published on Feb 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Within minutes of welcoming a temporary foster dog into her home late last year, Sophie Vershbow knew the pup was special. 10-year-old Popcorn, whom Vershbow lovingly called Poppy, spent years as an overlooked shelter dog in Dallas, Texas, but she had the perfect demeanor to be someone’s forever friend.
“One day with Poppy, and I’m convinced that she would be the perfect dog for an elderly person looking for a low-maintenance companion,” Vershbow wrote on X. “She’s already 10, moves slowly and does her business right outside the house. They could live out their golden years together.”
Poppy entered Vershbow’s life a few months after being pulled from a Dallas-based shelter by Hearts & Bones, a foster-based dog rescue. Hearts & Bones matched Poppy with a full-time foster mom in New York City, who had to go away for a few weeks over the holidays — and that’s when she went into temporary care with Vershbow.
Despite having to switch foster homes temporarily, Poppy’s search for a forever family didn’t stop. After everything she’d been through, the deaf and partially blind survivor dog desperately wanted a permanent home.
“At 10 years old, she arrived with cloudy eyes, a chronic ear infection, skin issues, and several concerning lumps,” Hearts & Bones wrote in a fundraising email shared by Vershbow on X. “This sweet girl needed immediate, extensive medical care to begin her journey to recovery.”
While her past was heartbreaking, Poppy’s resilience through her recovery journey proved that she had a strong will to live. That, paired with her eternally youthful spirit, should have been enough to garner the attention of potential adopters. But unfortunately, no one showed interest in her.
Still, both her fosters did everything they could to bring attention to her. Poppy went on countless wintery walks around NYC alongside Vershbow’s merit badge-earning dog, Simon, sporting a bright yellow “Adopt Me” tag on her leash. And even when they were home for the holidays, Vershbow remained steadfast in sharing Poppy with the world.
“Merry Chrismukkah from foster dog Poppy! Here’s to hoping she spends next Christmas celebrating with her forever family,” Vershbow wrote on X.
After a few weeks and zero adoption applications, Poppy returned to her full-time foster home to continue her search. They attended adoption fairs together, but sadly, nobody seemed to want Poppy.
At one recent adoption event, the gentle-natured pup lay in her designated spot and watched countless dogs leave the building with their new forever families. She was hopeful her turn would come next, but everyone who showed up kept walking past her. They didn’t even stop to say hi.
“And this is the moment I sobbed,” Poppy’s full-time foster mom wrote in an Instagram Reel. “She deserves so much love and comfort and will be someone’s perfect snuggle buddy.”
You can watch Poppy at the adoption event here:
Poppy’s full-time foster mom was devastated to witness her be overlooked, but sadly, not surprised. Poppy was the perfect pup on the inside, but her salt-and-pepper face seemed to drive people away — a common experience among senior dogs.
“Sadly, dogs like Popcorn are often overlooked in shelters because of their age and medical needs,” Hearts & Bones wrote.
Still, Poppy’s team of angels refused to give up on her. They continued posting Poppy on social media, including the video of her being overlooked at the adoption event. Until finally, a wonderful family offered her a permanent home.
“I’m thrilled beyond measure to share that Poppy found her forever home!!!” Vershbow shared on X. “She’s off to live out her golden years in Cape Cod with her new mom and dog siblings.”
After a painstaking, months-long search, Poppy finally landed the forever family of her dreams. In addition to her incredible new mom, Poppy gained a pack of dog siblings to play with — and she couldn’t be more excited.
For a pup who’s overcome so much hardship, Poppy could have a lot to complain about. But even after waiting so long for her happily-ever-after, the sweet girl doesn’t dwell on the past.
“Poppy is just happy to be here,” Vershbow wrote on X.
