Poppi, our sweet little dwarf miniature horse, returned to our Sanctuary on Wednesday night, and things started off promising. She was standing, moving around, and seemed to be doing well. But within the past 24 hours, her strength began to fade.

A Call with the Surgeon

Elise, our Sanctuary manager, spent about an hour on the phone with Dr. Metcalf, Poppi's surgeon. He shared that it could be exhaustion catching up with her after her trailer ride home, or there might be a more serious issue at hand. We had a hopeful deadline – by Monday or Tuesday, we needed to see Poppi getting up on her own again or at least being able to stand longer when we encouraged her.

A Turn for the Worse

By Sunday morning, it was clear our sweet girl had taken a turn. Poppi could no longer stand on her own, and even with our help, she would collapse. Our hearts broke as we realized that Poppi was suffering, and the most loving thing we could do was help her find peace.

Saying Goodbye

We wanted Poppi to feel as loved and comforted as possible. So we gathered together and surrounded her with treats, braided her hair, and stayed by her side.

When Dr. Metcalf arrived, we gently carried Poppi up to the gazebo, where a soft breeze blew and fluffy clouds floated by. It was her favorite spot. As we prepared to say goodbye, we sang Poppi’s favorite songs – “Love Her Every Day,” “Tiny Artifact,” and “No Comb Chris.” It’s our little tradition, and we wanted her to feel surrounded by love as we helped her pass peacefully.

Poppi's Backstory

Poppi came to us in March when we partnered with Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue (TPDR) in Michigan to save this tiny lady. We didn’t know then that she had severe hip, shoulder, and joint issues. But we were determined to give her the best life possible.

Our Sanctuary team, veterinarians, and supporters worked tirelessly to make sure Poppi had every chance for a comfortable future.

We Never Gave Up

Through every step of this journey, we never gave up on Poppi. We stayed by her side, listened to our veterinarians and, most importantly, to Poppi. Letting her go wasn't about giving up; it was about loving her enough to help her find peace when she told us she was ready.

Poppi was surrounded by an incredible amount of love in her final moments, and we’re so grateful for every moment we had with her.