Animals; dogs in particular were always a big passion of mine growing up. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that getting a dog would give me that sense of purpose during an incredibly difficult period of time in my life. When I was eighteen, I mistakenly found myself in a relationship with a physically and mentally abusive man ten years older than me. I had never felt so isolated, lost and depressed in my life. I had hit an all time low in November 2016 when I made the decision to get my dog 'Bree'. She gave me the strength to do the little things like get up in the morning to feed her and take her for a walk. Eventually not long after, I realised I wasn’t alone anymore if I left the man, because I had Bree. Trying to juggle a toxic relationship with the pressure of working as a full time model was overwhelming to say the least. I was spiralling out of control at a rapid rate and everyone who knew me was extremely worried for my mental health. I’m not usually one to believe it fate, but there is honestly no other explanation to explain how lucky I was that Bree came into my life when she did. Just her presence alone is so powerful because even though she cannot speak, I never feel lonely when she is around. Bree gives me a purpose everyday and I love spending time with her, whether that be down at the beach or sitting on the couch watching a movie, she is an enormous part of my life. I think everyone in my life has just accepted she is my number one priority, just because I feel like I owe her so much. I often say it’s corny, but I truly believe she saved me." (Says, Poppy & Bree – Brighton, Australia.)
