When 10-year-old Popcorn — lovingly called Poppy — entered foster care, her gentle spirit immediately captured hearts. Despite years of being overlooked in a Dallas shelter, she carried herself with a quiet grace that made her the perfect companion for someone seeking a calm, loyal friend.
“One day with Poppy, and I was convinced she’d be the perfect dog for an elderly person,” foster mom Sophie Vershbow shared online. “She’s low-maintenance, sweet, and ready to spend her golden years alongside someone who’ll love her.”
Pulled from the shelter by Hearts & Bones Rescue, Poppy arrived in New York in fragile shape. She was deaf, partially blind, and battling ear infections, skin problems, and painful lumps.
But her resilience shone through, and with medical care and love from her foster families, she began to heal.
Despite her progress, adoption applications never came. Vershbow took Poppy on snowy walks through New York, her leash proudly sporting a yellow “Adopt Me” tag, and shared her story online. Still, weeks passed without interest.
Her full-time foster mom continued the search, bringing Poppy to adoption events. At one gathering, Poppy lay patiently in her spot as family after family chose other dogs.
She wagged her tail with hope, but people walked past without stopping. Watching her be overlooked was heartbreaking.
“Merry Chrismukkah from foster dog Poppy! Here's to hoping she spends next Christmas celebrating with her forever family,” Vershbow wrote on X.
“Seeing her wait while others went home broke me,” her foster mom admitted. “She’s such a loving dog and deserves to be someone’s perfect snuggle buddy.”
Senior dogs like Poppy are often passed over because of their age or medical needs.
But Poppy’s fosters refused to give up. They kept sharing her story, until one day, the miracle they had been waiting for finally happened.
Poppy was adopted.
A kind family from Cape Cod welcomed her home, giving her not just a loving mom but also a pack of dog siblings to keep her company. After months of uncertainty, the sweet senior who had watched so many families walk away finally had her own.
Vershbow celebrated the news online: “I’m thrilled beyond measure — Poppy found her forever home! She’s off to live out her golden years surrounded by love.”
Now, Poppy spends her days exploring the Cape with her new family, snuggling close, and simply enjoying life. For a dog who endured so much heartbreak, she asks for nothing more than the love she has finally found.
“Poppy is just happy to be here,” Vershbow wrote.
To help dogs like Poppy get the care they need, you can donate to Hearts & Bones here.
