At the age of 12, Poppy steps down, having devoted her life to aiding others, earning her the title of “hero”.
A seasoned mountain rescue dog has recently retired after a successful career spanning over ten years during which she was instrumental in rescue operations and locating lost individuals in Scotland’s rugged terrains.
Poppy, a Labrador Retriever who recently turned 12, has been an active part of search and rescue operations, assisting various teams and working closely with Police Scotland, covering vast areas from Glencoe to the Lake District over the past eleven years.
The cherished canine, often hailed as an “unsung hero,” officially retired last Sunday. Remarkably, her final training session took place in Glen Finglas in the Trossachs, the same location where she began her mountain rescue career as a six-month-old puppy twelve years ago.
A representative from SARDA Southern Scotland (Mountain Rescue Search Dogs) shared, “While this past weekend’s assessment welcomed three new dog teams to our roster, it was also a poignant moment for us as we celebrated the retirement of our most senior dog, Poppy, last Sunday.”
Adding a personal touch to her last active involvement, Poppy’s final find during this session was her long-time favorite person, uncle John, who has been part of her life since her puppy days.
“At age 12, Poppy is looking forward to a well-deserved retirement. A huge thank you and well done to Iain and Poppy for their immense commitment to finding missing persons and saving lives in Scotland’s mountains and wild areas,” stated SARDA.
“Stand down, Poppy. Well done, girl,” they concluded.
A spokesperson for Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team expressed their mixed emotions about Poppy’s retirement, stating, “It’s bittersweet to see search dog Poppy retire, but we are incredibly proud of all that she and Iain have accomplished together.”
They continued, “For over eleven years, Poppy has been a beloved and esteemed member of Tweed Valley MRT and SARDA Southern Scotland, also supporting many other mountain rescue teams and partner agencies on searches throughout Scotland and beyond.”
“She has been an exceptional search dog and a very special part of the team. In addition, Iain also dedicates his time to support mountain rescue on a national level through his role on the Scottish Mountain Rescue executive,” the spokesperson added.
“Thank you, Iain and Poppy, for the years of time and dedication you have both contributed. We wish Poppy a long, happy, and very well-deserved retirement,” they concluded.
Heartfelt tributes for the heroic canine have flooded social media platforms. One post praised, “Well done, Iain and Poppy for such a long service. A true pair of unsung heroes.”
Another user remarked, “Gosh these years have passed quickly! Have a wonderful retirement Poppy, such a beautiful girl!” while a third commented, “Poppy has always been loved and respected.”
The Killin Mountain Rescue Team expressed their gratitude, writing, “Thank you, Poppy, for all your help,” and a loved one added, “Well done my lovely wee grand-dog. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement. Love you to the moon and back.”
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
