If you have a pet you know that they become part of your family pretty fast. That’s what happened when we adopted Holly our golden retriever. Holly came into our lives as a puppy and she captured our hearts immediately. She was very loving and the sweetest dog you could imagine. We were lucky enough to have spent 12 wonderful years with her, 12 years certainly goes by fast. Holly passed away this weekend leaving us all with heavy hearts. We were all able to say goodbye to her which is a good feeling knowing how much we all cared about her. Holly had been slowly declining over the past year or so and we all knew that this day would come, I wondered if her not feeling well would make her not as nice as she had been, I was amazed at how she remained so loving, she never had a bad day.

When I think back to some of my memories of Holly I think about how she was the outstanding puppy in obedience school and I also think about some of the mischief she got into as well. Like most dogs when there is a chance to tear into a trash bag or two, she did! When there was a little child with a cookie in their hand, Holly would swoop in and take it. I think about the time when we had a special cake for a surprise birthday party on the counter and Holly found away to eat the part of the cake she could reach. I also think about the fun times we had exploring in the woods on long walks and taking her swimming in the pool or how she could never get enough attention. Holly loved to be pet, if you were petting her and you moved your hand for a second she would be there begging you to touch her again. She also loved to steal shoes, she wouldn’t chew them she would just bring them to her bed and put her head on them, I think her way of being close to us. Remembering these great times with Holly will live in my mind forever and I’m sure we will get another dog in the future but none will live up to sweet little holly.