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Worn out after spending a morning trekking around investigating, followed by an afternoon serving teas, I was pleased when Poppy seemed ecstatic to see me again. She leapt around my feet, l*****g my ankles and nuzzling my legs. Happy with her affectionate welcome, I gathered her up in my arms and she snuggled into the crook of my elbow and lay there at peace, warm and furry. I had never felt so grateful to have her companionship as in that moment, when I was feeling isolated with my fears. Having thanked Jane for taking care of my puppy, I went home and Poppy trotted along happily, intermittently stopping to sniff at the grass verges or running on ahead, pulling eagerly at her lead.
That evening I phoned my mother. After we had exchanged our usual greetings, and she had spent ten min
