Christmas Holly: the dog who came to stay

There have been times during the past five months, since I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, when I have been quite overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion that has come my way - from family and friends, from dedicated medical staff, from strangers, from people I met only fleetingly, and from my readers and other bloggers, most of whom I am unlikely to meet.

I am also very conscious, given the prospect of complete recovery, of being given a second chance or, in fact, a third chance, having walked a parallel route almost 30 years ago.

While it was possible to thank many people personally, I had begun to feel that I needed to do something to mark what this kindness had meant to me by doing something myself. A sort of giving back. Something that wasn't necessarily to do with breast cancer, just something that might make a difference, somewhere, somehow, even in a very small way.

I mention all this because it provides the context for what comes next.

Like many bloggers, I use Twitter (but not Facebook) and rather like the challenge of its brevity. Twitter also provides an instant and rapid way of spreading urgent information, through what is called retweeting (or RTing in that compressed Twitter way). I tend to use Twitter in this way to spread notices about lost or found dogs, dogs needing new homes and so on. Most of these tweets carry a link to a website or Facebook page and although I sometimes click on these links, I don't always do so. 

But in early December, I did click on one of those links, because it had been posted by a Devon-based animal welfare charity.

And that's when I first saw Holly, a dear old black Labrador, aged 14. A 14-year-old Labrador who desperately needed a new home, otherwise she faced a fate that she truly did not deserve, after a lifetime of being someone's faithful companion.

I read her story, which I'm not going to say too much about here; suffice it to say that her last owner had died earlier in the year and the people who had agreed to take care of her could no longer do so, for various reasons.

As all dog lovers know, some dogs just speak straight to your heart. So I rang the contact number and left a message saying that, if Holly was still available, I could - and would very much love to - give her a home for the rest of her days - subject to all the relevant checks, of course.

Which is how Holly came to join us just a couple of weeks before Christmas. The Edinburgh Boy gave her the most gracious of welcomes, as did two of the regular guest dogs. She has settled in wonderfully and, despite her age, is full of life and curiosity, and - being a Labrador - is on permanent food and snack patrol.

She arrived with not very much, apart from a couple of age-related health problems and a small bag of additive-laden dog food, but now has a bed lined with plenty of soft, fleecy blankets, good food, gentle walks, and excellent care from our Labrador-owning vet. For Christmas she was given a smart new collar and lead . . . and an inordinate number of hugs from the family.

I can't say how much time Holly has ahead of her - weeks, months or even a year or so - but I can say that however long it may be, she will be loved and cared for and I will do my very best to ensure that she is always as content and comfortable as possible.

Because dogs deserve a second chance too.

Christmas Holly

Comments

[Shelley]

Lovely story. I envy you your doggie life!

[ellen]

An older dog can be a great comfort, and I'm sure you are a great comfort to her as well. I hope your New Year is full of triumphs and successes large and small.

[Dancing Beastie]

Bit of a lump in my throat, having read that. How touching that you made room at the inn for her, and also that Edinburgh Boy has been so gracious about it. She looks a dear, and I am very glad that she has found a loving final home.

Wishing all of you a truly happy new year.

[Maureen]

Holly is a very lucky lady to be joining your love-filled family. I look forward to making her acquaintance very soon.

[colleen]

She looks to have found the kindness and contentment that all old ladies deserve. Hope I'll be that lucky!

[Mary Coleman]

what a lovely girl she is and so lucky to be with you!

[Teri and the cats of Furrydance]

...and may she have kindness the rest of her days. And she will, because you wanted to give life to her golden years. I have had similar experiences and it just is the right thing to do, isn't it...

http://furrydancecats.blogspot.com/2010/02/fenway-nanjizal-bay-of-furrydance-july.html

[lovethosecupcakes]

Well, that well and truly set me off. But happy endings do that, don't you find?

[Northmoon]

What a wonderful way to give back, love a dog tale with a happy ending.

[Nancy]

Hello, It's been a while since I visited your blog and boy did I pick the right day to return! What a beautiful post. From one dog lover to another, you have done something quite special here by bringing this "old timer" into your home and heart. Hope you have been feeling well and enjoying the holiday season. Best wishes for the coming new year!

[Jay from The Depp Effect]

Aw... well, as you'd guess, this post resonates with me on various levels. It particularly reminds me of my lovely old Jack who came to us after I saw him posted on the internet. He was a sweetheart, too, though in a bad way and we thought we might not have him long but he was with us for three and a half years.

I hope your Holly will be with you a good while yet - though asking for three years might be hoping for a bit much with her age and breed. Fingers crossed! I know she'll be very happy with you though!