Jack & Poppy: Rescued Dogs Reunited

“They were like skeletons”

When RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes helped rescue Jack and Poppy, the young pups had been abandoned in a property without food or water. The door had been locked and blocked with a fridge freezer.

Both dogs were severely underweight, with Poppy in a worse condition than her brother.

“Poppy and Jack were one of the saddest sights of my career,” says Anthony. “They were like skeletons and were suffering fur loss due to a severe skin condition. They looked so depressed and it was almost as though they had given up.

“They were both incredibly quiet and were not acting at all like how you would expect young pups to act. However, they clearly found some comfort being close to each other and could be seen leaning on one another in their kennel at the vets.”

During their first veterinary examination, the pups were subdued and disinterested, but they still responded to kindness.

“They would wag their tails gently every time they were stroked or shown any kind of compassion by myself or the veterinary staff,” says Anthony.

A remarkable recovery

Jack and Poppy were taken into RSPCA care and later rehabilitated at RSPCA Gonsal Farm Animal Centre in Shropshire.

“They were both in a sorry state on arrival,” says Kennel Supervisor Neil Richardson. “They were underweight and skin scrapes confirmed that both had demodex mange. Poppy was noticeably worse than Jack. She also had very sore eyes, which needed ongoing eye drops.”

The pups were given medicated baths and parasite treatment for the mange, while Poppy received treatment for her eyes. Good-quality puppy food helped them gain the weight they desperately needed.

“Within a couple of weeks they were improving, so much so that when I had a couple of weeks' holiday at the end of October, I didn't recognise Poppy at first when I returned to work!” says Neil. “It was delightful to see them blossom.”

Two new homes

Once they were well enough, it was time for Jack and Poppy to find families of their own.

Emily Rodgers spotted Jack on Find a Pet and thought he could be a great addition to her family. But first, he needed to meet their older rescue dog, Sasha.

“We only visited Jack once before we picked him up,” says Emily. “It really depended mostly on whether he and Sasha got on and, of course, whether he liked us. It was an amazing meeting. We loved him from the minute we laid eyes on him.”

Jack and Sasha played together, and Jack went home with the family in November 2023. Emily describes him as a “big softie” who loves walks, affection, toys, food and sunbathing in the garden.

“He has brought us so much joy already,” says Emily. “We really have hit the Jack-pot with Jack and so has he!”

Poppy needed a little longer to recover. Simeone Smith and her family saw her online and were smitten. They visited her four or five times at the centre before adopting her in January 2024.

“We saw Poppy and read that she had a tough start and we thought we could give her all the love she needed,” says Simeone.

At first, Poppy found being left alone difficult, even for a few minutes. With advice from our team, her family helped her gradually become more settled.

“She is so calm and really easy-going and loves meeting people,” says Simeone. “She is so loving and kind. She loves her walks and she is just amazing to have as part of the family.”

Together again

Eight months after being rehomed, Jack and Poppy returned to Gonsal Farm for a very special reunion.

Anthony watched as the brother and sister saw each other for the first time since leaving RSPCA care.

“They really recognise each other,” he says. “They look like completely different dogs, but the bond is the same.”

Poppy sniffed around the other dogs before running and playing with her brother. 

“She’s normally not social with other dogs, so seeing her run and play with Jack is very special,” says Simeone. “We'll definitely be staying in touch with him and his family from now on.”

Emily was just as delighted with how far Jack had come.

“I can’t give enough thanks to the RSPCA,” she says. “Jack has brought us so much joy, and he shows so much love. You’ve completed our family.”

For Anthony, seeing the siblings together again showed just how much their lives had changed.

“Watching Jack and Poppy play has been a career highlight for me,” he says. “They are clearly greatly loved in their new forever homes, and you can see the positive effects of that today. Scenes like these are the reward that keeps us doing all we can for animals in need.”