Poppy: A Little Jack Russell Full of Character

I absolutely love it when a dog’s little quirks are what make them instantly recognisable, and Poppy was certainly one of those dogs.

Sue first got in touch after finding my work and asked about having a necklace featuring her beloved Jack Russell, Poppy. She sent me a few photographs and wasn't quite sure which would be best, so I had the lovely job of looking through them and deciding which images would help me capture Poppy's character.

And there were two details that immediately stood out to me: those wonderfully distinctive pointy ears and the way Poppy held her head slightly to one side.

Those little details are often the most important part of a portrait. They are the things that make an animal themselves, rather than simply a representation of their breed. I wanted to make sure that when Sue looked at her finished necklace, she wouldn't just see a little Jack Russell, she would see Poppy.

When the necklace arrived, Sue sent me a message that made my day:

“Just wanted to say a huge thank you for my Poppy necklace. It looks just like her. She was my world. A huge thank you.”

That is exactly what I hope for whenever I make a piece of memorial or pet jewellery. Not just that it is recognisable, but that it brings back that instant feeling of there she is.

And with Poppy's pointy ears and that unmistakable little head tilt, I think she managed to do just that.

Sue's words were the loveliest confirmation that all those tiny details had been worth capturing.

If you’ve ever thought about having a custom piece made, I’d love to hear your ideas. You can read more about my process here: Custom Pet Jewellery.

Who knows? Your precious friend might just be the next one I’m smiling about at my workbench.