Holly was born in October 1994, one month after my 13th birthday. We had just moved back from Germany that August and so I didn't have a birthday party that year since we were still living in the hotel. Instead, I got to throw a Christmas party that December and invite my friends from school. My party was on a Friday night and when I walked home from the school bus that afternoon, I was greeted by my mom and my sister and the sweetest little black puppy trying her darndest to wiggle out of the stocking she was in.
She was for me, since I had been bugging my parents for a Bernese Mountain puppy for the year prior. Now, Holly wasn't a Bernese Mountain dog, nor was she purebred. She was a beautiful little mutt from the dog pound, who had husky in her (that was obvious due to her one blue eye) and definitely some shephard (evident by her white and tan markings). I named her Holly because she was a gift to me in the Christmas season and the name seemed to fit.
It's funny how you think you know what you want until you get it. That was me. Those who know me know how extremely sensitive I am to the feelings of animals. We already had a old toy poodle named Jessie that my mom had rescued from a life of abuse and living in a dog carrier when she saw the ad for her in the paper. We had had Jessie for about 8 or 9 years at this point. Now, in my mind, I felt just awful about bringing a new dog into Jessie's territory, into her family. I didn't want her to feel replaced and I didn't want her to feel like it was me forgetting about her, the older dog. (You know, even now, almost 13 years later, I still can't put exactly how I felt into words.) So I promptly woke my parents up in the middle of the night that night (yes, I still had all of my friends from the Christmas party sleeping over) and told them through my tears that I couldn't handle the responsibility of Holly. They, of course, were shocked, but they soothed me and told me it was okay. My sister promptly took over the responsibility of raising Holly, sleeping with her and housetraining her. Obviously, I very much loved Holly, but I just felt so much guilt about Jessie.
It took me a little while, but I finally got over the guilt of bringing Holly into our home. Jessie was a grumpy little thing, but I think Holly brought some of her youth back to her. I think Jessie taught Holly a lot of what she learned in life. For instance, Jessi could never just lay on the floor...there had to be something under her. Holly is the same way...even if there is just a washcloth laying on the floor, she will make her 3 turns and plop down on that washcloth. Holly and I were pretty unseparable, even when I went off to college and after I moved out of my parent's house. She stayed behind with them and our other dog, Ebbie. Holly is just like me...change makes her anxious so I think that was for the best.
We've often said of Holly that she has been the best dog we've ever had and that still holds true. Holly as a dog is the type of person that we should all strive to be. She's happy and loyal and always waits for the little dogs to finish their plates before she goes over to finish it for them. She's healthy though...she's never been an overeater and has always been strong and slender. She's a kind dog, but protects her house from any person who dares walks down the sidewalk. Holly takes time to inspect new puppies and give them a sniff and a lick. She's wise and intelligent and commands respect.
Holly is a joy. When she was young, we used to have to put bells on her collar because she was so fast that she would catch birds in the yard. One time, Holly brought my mom a dead snake as a gift. She also used to accompany me on my runs on the trail. She loved that. She was my protecter. As Holly got older, she enjoyed sleeping more and sunbathing and watching out our front windows. It almost seems like I've lived a lifetime in Holly's whole life time. We grew up together, starting out with me as an awkward 13 year old, through high school and college, to me moving out on my own and my first job and finally last year to me letting the last bit of childhood go and getting married.
Lately, Holly has not been herself. She's an old girl now (going on 13) and doesn't enjoy life the way she once did. She's lost about 30 pounds and all of her muscle mass. She's obviously in a lot of pain. She can barely walk and she has lost control over her bodily functions. She cries a lot too, seemingly for no reason at all. She doesn't enjoy being pet anymore and prefers to be alone. We hate to see her suffer and not be happy. So tomorrow, at 11:30 am, we're taking Holly to the vet to have her put to sleep. It breaks my heart to do that, but it also breaks my heart to see her like this. Holly deserves better. I'll always love you, my Holly Hound. I'll see you over the Rainbow Bridge. Say hi to Jessie for me.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
