Goodbye, Holly Dog

I will never forget the phone call from Mark. "She's white with brown spots and I scooped her out of the middle of the street," he said. It was early December almost 10 years ago. Mark and some co-workers were taking the back way over to Sonic which meant they had to travel down hilly, winding Holly Tree Gap Road. They couldn't believe it when they saw 6 tiny, female, beagle/spaniel puppies running in and out of the street. They quickly pulled over and started rescuing the little things. Another passerby stopped and said that he had a kennel so he could take Holly's 5 sisters (I pray they have had as happy lives as Holly did!).

We had only had Maggie Dog for 4 months, so we were not in the market for a new puppy. But God knew better. There is no doubt in my mind that Holly (named for the street where she was found!) was meant to be part of our family. She was a diva from the very beginning. We took her to a Christmas party the week that we got her where she was passed around like a beloved newborn baby. We are pretty sure that she never even knew she had been abandoned. Her attitude was one of entitlement and she was not a bit sorry about it. Dr. Hendrix, her vet, belly laughed after feeding her a treat, only to have her look up at him and then spit it out! She was offended because he had taken her temperature in a very.....um, embarrassing place!

She adored Maggie Dog and loved and respected Mark. She only tolerated Sydney. The truth is, I think she wanted to BE Sydney. When she commandeered Sydney's Dora the Explorer couch, we realized that she pretty much wanted one of whatever Syd had. More than anything, I think she believed she was my daughter. Her neediness melts my heart in retrospect. Next to a romp in the woods at my parents' house or a long walk with neighbor, "Aunt" Susan, all Holly really wanted was to sit next to me on the couch as I stroked her ears and belly.

I guess it is a blessing that the cancer took her in only 12 days. She went from being her demanding self to barely being able to walk. We were going to try chemo but in the end she was not even stable enough for that. It was almost midnight last Thursday night when it became clear that we needed to send her on to Doggy Heaven. I had wanted to be with her when the time came, but it was late, cold and rainy, so sweet Mark took her. He stayed with her until the end and said it was all very peaceful. He told her she had been a good dog and that she better remember us when we cross over to Heaven someday.

I don't know how long I will grieve for her. I pray that time will take away the pain and leave joyful memories in its place. One thing I know for sure is that I will never forget her.

Goodbye, Holly Dog. Thank you for the 10 years of love and laughter.