Holly's story

Holly, a beautiful Golden, wiggled her way into my life in November of 1996.

Holly was and always will be my heart dog. She was an amazing companion to me. I am so lucky to have had her in my life, as short as it was. From the moment she came into my life we seemed to be joined at the hip as our special, one of a kind bond was formed. She went everywhere with me. I was even fortunate enough to be able to bring her to work with me. I don’t think we were separated for more than two months during her entire life. She knew me like the back of her paw as I knew her like the back of my hand.

Holly had a demeanor that was both comforting and joyful. Her magnetic personality attracted so many wonderful people, many of whom I count as good friends and central to my life. The happiness she brought me was felt by all who came in contact with her. I truly believe her mission in life was to make me happy and in so doing, made it possible for me to reach out to others as I had never done before.

It was because of Holly that I became involved in agility. Not only did we have fun, but together we formed many new and cherished friendships.

Holly became a certified therapy dog. She brought smiles to people we visited and for a brief moment their minds were free of their physical ailments.

Holly always wanted to please. Because of her outgoing, friendly nature, people we encountered on our daily walks became familiar neighbors instead of nameless passersby.

Holly had a tender heart, but she could be a fighter, too. Diagnosed with a severe case of Valley Fever in July of 2003, she battled and won. Nearly a year to the day her levels had dropped to their lowest possible numbers.

Holly stopped eating at the end of October, 2005. A battery of tests was performed; all proved negative. An ultra sound was then done on Thursday, November 3rd. Holly was diagnosed with an advanced stage of intestinal lymphoma. It was the most devastating news I could have imagined. I was determined to do whatever it took to try to beat this cancer and keep Holly with me for as long as possible.

Holly and I met with an oncologist on Monday, November 7. She immediately had her first chemotherapy treatment. She seemed to do ok throughout the week, but took a turn for the worse on the following Sunday. Holly could barely walk and the look in her eyes told me she had suffered enough. Holly and I said our goodbyes on November 13, 2005 at 3:00 in the afternoon.

I always told myself, long before any of this happened, that I would NEVER let any of my beloved animals suffer. Though I believe in my heart I did the right thing, having Holly put to sleep was the hardest decision I ever made.

I took great care of Holly. In spite of carefully monitoring her health, scheduling regular veterinarian visits and timely vaccinations, providing a good diet and lots of exercise, and loving her with all my heart, the cancer still wasn’t detected early enough to help Holly. I still wonder what I might have done to find the cancer before it was so advanced. Would Holly and I still be together if the cancer had only been detected earlier?

Not a day passes that I don’t shed a tear because Holly is not physically beside me, but not a minute goes by that I don’t feel her presence all around me. She will always be in my heart and she will always make me smile… I miss her terribly and love her still.

This is for you Holly

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