Poppy O’Toole, a 32-year-old television chef and bestselling author, has spoken candidly about her life with three dogs at her Worcestershire home and how they fit into her family routine. Although cooking meals for her pets proved short-lived due to the strong odor, she remains engaged with their diets and shares anecdotes about their distinct personalities.
O’Toole lives with her husband, Tom, and their three dogs—Krypto, a black and grey brindle pug nearing ten years old; Red, a three-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd; and Baxter, a one-year-old fawn-coloured pug. She recounts how Krypto was adopted as a puppy to keep company for a previous pug, Kipper, who has since passed away. While Krypto quickly adapted and was well-behaved, Baxter turned out to be far more mischievous and unplanned. O’Toole explained that despite her initial reluctance during pregnancy, her sister and husband organized a visit to see puppies, leading to an emotional and impulsive decision to bring Baxter home.
The arrival of their daughter introduced new dynamics within the household. Red, the German shepherd, quickly grasped the change and behaved cautiously around the baby, while the two pugs appeared mostly unaffected. O’Toole emphasized the need for careful supervision, noting they have never left the dogs alone with their infant daughter, now seven months old, who eagerly interacts with the pets each morning.
Red’s calm demeanor stands out, particularly given his upbringing alongside the more energetic pugs. O’Toole shared that her husband specifically chose the German shepherd to add a larger dog to the family. According to her, Red has been loyal and non-aggressive, contrasting with Baxter’s rambunctious behavior. She highlighted challenges with Baxter’s habit of urinating indoors, which required intervention from a behaviourist. By modifying their walking routines—favoring slow, stationary walks in local woods where the dogs could explore scents rather than long, stimulating treks—the situation improved significantly.
Among lighter moments in the household was an incident when forgotten leftover chicken tikka masala in the car’s boot ended with all three dogs covered in curry. On the subject of pet nutrition, O’Toole acknowledged attempting to prepare homemade meals, including liver and tripe, but abandoned the practice after about a week due to the unpleasant smell. They also tried a raw diet for Red, which was unsettling for visitors. Currently, the dogs eat a combination of a brand called Butternut Box and kibble, a mix that O’Toole finds visually appealing and humorously likened to shepherd’s pie.
Reflecting on veterinary costs, O’Toole recounted that Kipper suffered from irritable bowel disease, with treatment expenses reaching £7,000. Despite the strain, Kipper’s legacy was significant, inspiring them to create an Instagram account that contributed to funding Krypto’s care and helped O’Toole gain confidence in building an online presence.
Overall, O’Toole’s experiences depict a household balancing the joys, challenges, and occasional mishaps that come with caring for multiple dogs alongside a young family.