Poppy’s documented life began in 1999, at the age of seven. Her elderly owner was unable to care for either herself or Poppy. Her owner went to a nursing home; Poppy went to a shelter. When MBR volunteers first saw her, they wondered what on earth they were going to do with her. She was grossly overweight, her eyes were infected and she had a number of cysts -- she was not a perfect basset, based on conformation standards. Her legs were a little too long, her black ears were too short and her tail was too small for her long body. Despite this, she was marked beautifully, mostly black and white spots, with what had been tan eyebrows and cheeks, now turning gray like that matronly lady she was.
Spotted on MBR’s website by Marilyn and Gerry Deucher of Berea, Ohio, almost immediately, Poppy remained in Michigan with foster mom Maggie McQuillam-Key for another month, having her cysts removed and being treated for dry-eye and kennel cough. In November of 1999, Poppy traveled to Ohio to begin a new life with her new family – a new life that would bring her adventure and fame beyond her wildest dreams.
In her foster home, Poppy had developed quite a reputation as a counter-cruiser. In the short month she was there she managed to consume a 6½ lb. pork roast, a loaf of pita bread and an entire pecan kuchen. She added to that reputation in her new home. She was a big girl, but she was fast. A sandwich could disappear from the counter in the blink of an eye. And how she loved to inspect grocery bags –usually managing to trot off with some treasure, like a dozen hamburger buns, or a pound of cheese.
Poppy loved to travel and meet people. In the fall of 2000 she went back to Michigan with her she-slave Marilyn and her Aunt Liz and Uncle Dave for the Fall Fun and Games – and to try her paw at getting her CGC. (Uncle Dave was a favorite of hers because he owned a restaurant.) Poppy liked to show off for people and things were going well. Fast forward to the Recall – the she-slave called “Poppy come” and Poppy came running, right on by and over to the sidelines and up to Uncle Dave – and his hot dog! Poppy never did get her CGC!
In
Memory of Queen Poppy
HRH 2002
In the spring of 2002, MBR decided to auction off the titles of Waddle King and Queen. It started innocently enough, with the she-slave collecting pledges. Someone asked “what happens if she gets the most pledges.?” -- “Well, maybe then she might become Queen.” That was all it took – things began to snowball, and pledges came in from all over town -- the Rotary club, the mayor, city council people, the municipal court judge, friends, family, people from all over her little City of Berea. When the dust settled, Poppy was crowned Queen and began a legendary reign as the queen with the most expensive crown ever – a record price yet to be broken.
She was the first reigning queen to attend a Boardwaddle, at the invitation of her good friend and mentor, Forever Queen feyfey. She attended four Michigan Waddles, five Fall Fun and Games and Drool Reunion Picnic in Gettysburg. Her last public appearance was at last year’s Waddle – she had the opportunity to walk the red carpet in this room one more time. On June 21st she left us to join feyfey and her other friends at the Rainbow Bridge. We will miss her little happy dance, the feel of her silky black ears and her wonderful disposition. We were privileged to have known her.
Forever loved by her family & friends