22/02/2026
With my dear friend’s blessing, I’m sharing her words about the passing of her beloved Poppy.
It was one of the most peaceful, love-filled farewells I’ve ever witnessed - a moment of deep presence, courage, and grace. Poppy was held in tenderness every step of the way.
This is her story x
"THE LAST POPPY UPDATE...It was as beautiful and peaceful as hoped for. After another restless night Poppy slept right through until 2.30pm then trotted around in her.muddled way and ate a little. I had set up candles, music , a photo of mum and dad..sacred space and connection to the ancestors in preparation for vets visit at 3.30pm
Dear friend Semele Xerri intuitively came in perfect timing to support and accompany us. (She has had many adventures with me and Poppy... sometimes aiding and abetting smuggling Pops into cinema/theatre/ storytelling under my cloak. Only give away was the snoring in the quiet bits!!) Semele, a beautiful professional healer, began giving Poppy Reiki healing. Something remarkable happened . Pops lifted from her blind , deaf dementia to visibly be stirred, excited even, by the energy...then she looked upwards, longingly , towards the Heavens...as if to say " can I go now?"
I read her the loving comments you had all given on my last post. Tears flowed. Lovely kind, gentle female vet and nurse arrived..asked how I was feeling ...explained the process..sedation first...so Poppy would be in a deep slumber and be unaware of the shaving a small patch on her front leg..insertion of catheter for flooding her system to close everything down. And so it was.
Me, Jono and Semele (with plenty of tissues for tears!!) stroked her and shared memories as she faded. ........
Her being a scruffy scrap of a pedigree toy poodle kept in a cage for first five years by a breeder..until she needed a hysterectomy because she was mated with a breed too big. How the vet told us about her needing rescuing so I took mum ( heartbroken from loss of her previous dog) and this shorn, tiny thing came home with us..needing house training . 83yr old mum often on her hands and knees scrubbing up poo and pee..and how Poppy (named by me, secretly knowing it was the name of the baby I never had) knew nothing of walks and play and evolved from being a shivering, shaking scared thing, clinging to mum for dear life ...to a real delightful and adorable character. How after her quiet life with mum, we have given her bike rides, boat trips ( in doggie lifejacket ).art retreats, music festivals, holidays away, and a sociable life with lots of friends calling.
Just after the vet listened with stethoscope and confirmed Poppy's heart had stopped..Semele gave out a gasp." I just saw your mum with outstretched arms and a cry of joy!" Poppy lies in state in rose petals (and hidden Ice packs ) with mums teddy bear, fluffy dog and her recently gifted 'heartbeating comfort friend' I pop into her cool, private space to say hello to " my little ba ba" stroke her white curly hair...and, inbetween occasionally imagine I can hear her snoring and snuffling around the house.. I kept my promise to mum..and , in the process me and Poppy fell in love and healed each other. I will love her forever."