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We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know
for who but I can see you lie
each night in the fire glow?
And who but I can reach out my hand
before we go to bed
and feel the warmth of you
and touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me
you running with the wind
so young again, and free.
And only I can see you wait
next to every stream I pass
and when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass.
~ Author Unknown.
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Farewell to Holly
Christmas 2014 came and went and with January so came the snow. Holly was as playful as ever, enjoying walks in the winter sunshine with her son, daughter and granddaughter. We even remarked how well she was doing for a dog that was fast approaching 11 years of age.
Saturday 31st January started out like any other weekend. A quick shopping trip and then back home to do some ‘yard work’ accompanied by four enthusiastic collies. Shortly after lunchtime we looked for Holly, expecting to see her in the garden. She was not there... she was back in the house curled up in a corner of the hallway. “Come on Holly...” we called. She did not want to move. “Come on, do you want a biscuit?”
She tried to get to her feet but couldn’t. Instead she swayed and staggered and slumped back down. Our hearts sank. This looked seriously wrong. Check her temperature... 101.8F Check the colour of her gums... pale white, no colour. Our hearts were now racing. This is bad, this is very bad.
Immediately we phone the vet emergency number and get a call back with in a few minutes. We are on our way to the surgery where the emergency vet is waiting. The gums are inspected again “This looks like an internal bleed” and we are on our way to the room with for an ultrasound scan. It immediately looks far from normal - a large mass is present and a lot of free fluid. We discuss a possible speenectomy, a transfusion but we have to do a blood test first to see if she can handle a general anesthetic. We sign the consent form and all we can do now is wait.
A few hours later we get a telephone call with bad news. She ‘crashed’ whilst be being prepared for the operation. They could not revive her. It was over.
Home to Rest.
We went back to the vets to bring her home. Never has a journey seemed so long as we were still trying to take in what had happened.
When we got home we put her on the floor in the garage, and then brought Connor, Kerry and Cara in to see her, so that they might know, in their own way, that she was no longer here. They took it in turns to approach and sniff Holly’s body. Connor, Kerry and then Cara.
Holly was taken to Kingshill Cremations and cremated on Sunday and her ashes collected on Monday 2nd February.
Holly’s ashes are in a tribute box with a posy of flowers and she is now alongside her lifelong friend Tess. We were not prepared for the depth of the feeling of loss. But a good friend, Daniel McBride summed things up so concisely in a note to us that reads:
”Animals like Tess and Holly are a gift from God and you will see them again. We can be sad they are gone and still be thankful we had them in our lives.”
May Holly rest in peace until we are united with her again.
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