Holly

In the middle of June this year an appeal went out about a fifteen year old whippet who needed rehoming. We were all stunned that a pet of these advanced years was to be given up for rehoming but in true Gagah form many people were willing to help.
I should have known that “Fate” was stepping in when I saw the address and realised that there was no doubt that I was by far the nearest volunteer to the address given. I immediately talked over the situation with the “wiser half” and after promising him that it was only for a few days etc, etc. he agreed to me volunteering to take in this poor soul for assessment and immediate medical care. I then e-mailed Diane offering our services.

Diane agreed to us taking her in initially to assess her and put her through a medical check up. Holly’s health was not A1 and she was diagnosed with a serious heart condition which, without medication only gave her a few months at most.
This all took place a few days before my birthday and as per usual Hubby was at the stage of asking me what I wanted. Yep, you guessed – I caught him hook, line and sinker – the only thing I would like for my birthday is Holly-. I was amazed at how readily he agreed and after a phone call to Diane explaining the situation all was agreed and we were to officially adopt Holly.

It was not until a few weeks later that I realised the gift that had been made to me. My love and admiration for dogs came from my father who would have given everything he had to help a canine in need. Holly was 15 years old when we adopted her and the day that I completed the adoption forms for her was 15 years to the day that my father died.

To date I do not know why Holly came to us when she did but I do now understand the phrase “soul mate” and know beyond doubt that however much I love and adore any dog I have Holly will be the one who tugs at the heartstrings the most.
My heart is breaking tonight. Holly has had a bad few days – off her food , bad dose of the runs and a very dodgy chest. Today she seemed to be a lot better and was looking for food . She ate her three meals today – smaller than usual but a big improvement on the last few days – so our hopes rose. Tonight ,however, she has been sick twice and is definitely not herself.

If her condition does not drastically improve I know that on Monday we shall take her to the vet’s and I may be facing the ultimate sacrifice. I hope and pray that I have the strength to make the right decision for my baby. I so want her to stay with us but know that if the time has come we must do what is right for her and not be selfish. We so much hoped for many more months of her precious company but if it is not to be we must for her sake be strong and accept the inevitable.

The above was written a few days ago and it breaks my heart to fill in the rest. The “tonight” I mentioned was Saturday night and things deteriorated through the night with Holly being sick numerous times and obvious signs that this was not a normal sickness. By morning she was very weak and could barely stand. After breakfast I called the vet who said he would be with us asap. I was relieved to know that it was the vet in our practice whom I have dealt with the most and known for almost 30 years.

When the vet saw Holly, he agreed that she was a “very sick and tired old lady” and that the kindest thing we could do was to help her to go peacefully. I do not know where the strength comes from in this type of situation but through the whole process I kept my composure for the sake of my darling girl. I assisted the vet and I am so grateful that I was the one to hold her as she slipped quietly away.

Many people have asked me how someone can take on an older dog which obviously has a short life expectancy. There are many replies to this question. Obviously no-one can guarantee any dog’s life expectancy – accidents happen or unforeseen illness crops up to shorten a dog’s life span but people still feel happier with a younger dog that they expect to have a normal life span. I fully understand their reasoning BUT if you have ever felt the love and gratitude from an “oldie” for what you can give them I assure you it outweighs any heartache that may lie in store.

In many ways it sums up the reason (for me) that I volunteer in rescue work. It is a very small contribution but for the few that I can help it makes a world of difference to them. I may suffer heartache at their passing but this is minimal to what most of these poor rescue dogs have suffered for most of their lives. If I can help a few in their last weeks, months or hopefully years then my heartache on their passing is of no consequence.

I hope that I will have the courage to take on a similar situation in the future and I have no doubt that I will but for now I will mourn the passing of my precious Holly and thank my lucky stars that I was lucky enough to be a very small part of her life.

Goodbye my sweetheart. We will always love you.

Thea & Allan