Poppy in Laguna Hills, CA

Poppy with her new family!

Update 5-14-23: We’ve received several promising applications for this pup and aren’t taking any more for now. Thank you.

This adorable, spunky girl has quickly won over the hearts of her foster family, canines included. Poppy has affectionately earned many nicknames and responds to them all: Poppy Pup, Poppy Princess and Poppy Dot just to name a few. Initially shy and unsure of the wonders of the world, Poppy is slowly starting to embrace everyday life and all that it has to offer. She is learning leash manners and can now sit and come when called. The unbridled excitement displayed when she sees her harness is accompanied with high pitched yelps. Poppy enjoys long walks, greets neighbors and gets excited when children come to say hi. She can be leash reactive when seeing larger and unfamiliar dogs, however her barking does subside with reassuring verbal cues.

Poppy loves to investigate the safe confines of the backyard in her foster home and will bark by the door when she wants to zoom and race about outside. She exhibits a strong prey drive, chasing most anything that moves. She is fast and light on her feet so any open door is viewed as a chance to explore. Poppy is an athletic jumper and will leap and dance about on her two hind legs. She will often give her entire body a shake to release excess energy. Going from 0 to 60 mph in record time and then in reverse is not uncommon for this long-legged lean girl. She plays hard and loves equally as hard; relishing belly rubs, being held and nuzzling by your side after a stimulating day. Poppy is a tiny but mighty guard dog, alerting you with a loud bark when someone is at your door or a package has been delivered.

In practically no time, Poppy has become reliable with house training as long as she is given the opportunity to go out upon waking, then every few hours and again before bedtime. Currently, Poppy sleeps contently in a crate, not making a sound until the morning. Once her potty habits are fully under control, she would love to join her family in the big bed. Having several like-minded Cavalier foster siblings has helped her understand expected behavior and boundaries, although she would also be fine receiving your undivided affection as an only pet.

Since she is still very much a puppy, Poppy would benefit from continued training and positive reinforcement. She is eager to please and a structured obedience class would help channel her enthusiasm, offer time for socialization as well as create a bond with her new family. Feeling secure, loved and being by your side is what Poppy craves most. She has been crated during the short times she is left alone and will initially bark but then quiets down. Therefore, someone that is home most of the day is ideal. Be prepared to be showered with endless puppy kisses on your return, whether it’s just from the next room or an outing without her. Poppy is a playful sock thief, pillow snatcher and can entertain herself with the countless toys that she tosses about. She is also a fetch master – gladly retrieving any ball or toy. Agility training may be in her future.

Poppy is very portable. She is comfortable in the car, can easily handle long walks yet also relaxes in a dog stroller, backpack or sling. In true Cavalier fashion, Poppy is a Velcro buddy who will effortlessly fit into an active lifestyle.

If you feel Poppy would continue to bloom as a new member of your family and live within a reasonable distance from Laguna Hills, CA, please complete an online application if you haven’t done so already. Then send an email to Nanci Gordon at nancigordon@gmail.com to let her know of your interest in this spirited pup.

Online Application