Page 51 - The Gem | August 2024 Magazine

Lee enjoys her highland fling

LEE JENNINGS CAN OFTEN BE SEEN PUSHING A PRAM AROUND GEMLIFE TWEED WATERS BUT IT’S A
BABY OF A DIFFERENT KIND INSIDE.

“I’ve never had children myself, but Poppy – my “We used to hold major events such as at
beautiful 15-year-old West Highland terrier – is Christmas and Easter and there would be more
my baby. My life revolves around her and now than 50 to 60 dogs and their owners attending.
that she is finding it a little difficult to walk, I The events were so much fun, and it was great
sometimes take her on strolls in a pram,” said to spend time with like-minded people who all
Lee who, with husband Don, moved into the loved their dogs as much as I did,” said Lee.
resort last December.
Poppy, who turns 16 in November, is well
Poppy is one of two West Highland terriers that behaved and conducts herself properly when in
Lee welcomed into her home many years ago public, including at dog-friendly cafes which the
after deciding that she needed canine company. couple frequent.

Sadly, she lost her other fur-baby Ruby to cancer “It’s something we taught both our pups from
at the age of ten, but Poppy continues to be Lee’s day one,” said Lee.
much-loved companion and friend.
When Lee first decided to get a pup, she said she
“Poppy has enabled me to open my heart and she was smitten by Poppy straight away.
brings me so much joy. If I am having a bad day, it “She was the runt of the litter but by far the
gets so much better when she is near me.”
feistiest one of the group, and that’s why I picked
Lee didn’t become a dog-lover until Poppy and her. She settled into our home immediately
Ruby came along but it wasn’t long before she and today, everything we do revolves around
got hooked. her – from the time she has breakfast and then

In fact, after welcoming Poppy into her home morning tea with Don, to going for walks, and
all those years ago, she established the West nestling down to sleep at night. Poppy’s our baby
Highland Terrier Club in Tasmania (where Lee and and we adore her.”
Don are from), which continues today.

50 The Gem GemLife.com.au AUGUST 2024 51