Memories from her Gold Ribbon Rescue Page

Holly

Four years ago yesterday on December 22 my husband went to Town Lake to pick up a foster waiting for GRR. When he arrived home I wasn't prepared for such a sad sight—she was just skin and bones, walking gingerly. But, she was smiling! She arrived so close to Christmas we named her Holly and after another favorite movie character played by a slim Audrey Hepburn her full name would be Holly Golightly.

Holly had been abandoned by her owners for what we figured out was about a month. We weren't sure of her age and it really didn't matter. She was a joy from the start. Every day was Christmas for this dog... that became her motto on her Dogster page.

Great with the grandkids, wonderful with other dogs and cats....she took a long time to put some weight on. She got vestibular syndrome and had some mange, but slowly she got healthy enough to go for a walk with Trooper our other GRR dog and Maggie the pug.

She lived for those walks until her last year when the severe arthritis made it impossible, but we would put the leash on and do a short smell-about on Lakeway Blvd and bring her back while the others got their exercise.

Renal failure was our next hurdle, but Holly never complained. Until the last month when she started losing weight and almost looked like the dog that arrived 3 1/2 years ago did we truly realize we were going to lose her. She passed in June, but her spirit lives on. It took us awhile to get up the nerve to foster again, but Holly would have wanted us to help another dog so upon our first call we got a new foster who has been a total joy. Holly would be smiling.

Watching over my family

Awhile back mom found a dog shaped rock in the park. It really looks like a dogs head with a hole for the eye and a little flap for an ear.
Mom and dad put Sushi and Maggie together in the wildflower garden and this rock marks the spot. At some point she will paint their names on the rock.

I am right next to them with a pretty large smooth river rock marking my spot. At another spot, Theo and Mali, cats that were totally devoted to each other and died at young ages within a year apart, were put together. Both had heart problems and were 8 and 9.
Lots of flower seeds were placed in the garden and mom is going to go buy some verbena to put in there.
Dad said a few words and they had to have a box of kleenix out there.

What started out as kind of leftover wild garden is now a beautiful place for us to forever watch over our family.

Holly has gone ahead.

Mom does believe in heaven and believes dogs go there. Yesterday at 4:25 I went to heaven. I was tired and in pain....it was time.

They don't know how I spent the first part of my life....I was a throw away dog....my owners moved out and left me in the yard to live on my own. Mom doesn't think anyone who could do that could have been a good owner or provide a good life for me......so she tried to give me ALL THE BEST in my remaining years. I returned the favor and gave all the love I could give. It was good to be loved at last.

So I have not just gone, but gone ahead.

Til we meet again
Love,
Holly

For our friend Marley

From a Grateful Dog
author unknown


You're giving me a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished hours,
Your courage makes me proud.
But the sweetest kindness is knowing
When your friend is in pain,
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.
So looking deep into your eyes,
Beyond, into your soul,
I see in you the magic that will
Once more make me whole.
The strength that you possess,
Is why I look to you today,
To do this thing that must be done,
For it's the only way.
That strength is why I found you,
And chose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these days...
My guardian till the end.
Please, understand just what this gift
You're giving, means to me,
It gives me back the strength I've lost,
And all my dignity.
You take a stand on my behalf,
For that is what friends do.
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it, too.
So one last time, I breathe your scent,
And through your hand I feel,
The courage that's within you,
To grant me this appeal.
Cut the leash that holds me here,
Dear friend, and let me run,
Once more a strong and steady dog,
My pain and struggle done.
And don't despair my passing,
For I won't be far away,
Forever here, within your heart,
And in memory I'll stay.
I'll be there watching over you,
with all the others I now join
And in your dreams we'll run,
... as young dogs once again.

Our friend Marley is going to the bridge today. We are so sad and we know her family is even sadder.

Sub q fluids

Hi all......mom gave me my first sub q fluids yesterday. I feel pretty good. We wish we knew how long this would give me, but there is no guarantee in life is there? I am just feeling pretty good and gained a whole lb this past week.

It is officially Spring today and it really does look like it here in the Hill Country of TX. Bluebonnets blooming in my yard along with other wildflowers in our wildflower garden.....we have winecup and evening primrose. I think I will go outside and sniff around.
Love and golden smiles,
Holly Golightly

Not a UTI or a UFO

Well if you can't laugh at some things you just have to cry. Sorry mom is making fun of that uti thingy.

The fact that I don't have a UTI is not a good thing. It means I have Renal failure. So mom and dad will just keep me comfortable with meds and make sure I eat good and drink good and have a good quality of life. Do the things I love every day and get even more attention than I am already getting(can that be possible?)

Updates coming.

Remember ....it is Christmas every day for me.

Love,
Holly Golightly

Home

I am home from the Vets.....got meds to take and cross your paws I keep eating. Mom has been cooking for me.

I am pretty stubborn about taking my pills. This morning it was deli sliced roast beef wrapped around them to get me to take them.

Just taking it one day at a time. Waiting for the culture results to see what the deal is with my kidneys.

Later.....need some quality nap time. bol

Not a SISSY!

Well they say getting old is not for Sissys no offense to friends with that name. I have been at the vet for 2 days with IVs and meds trying to make me feel better. My kidneys are not up to par and neither are my hips, but shoot, I am not telling my REAL age.

I keep telling mom it is ok, but her eyes are leaking.....I am smiling or is that just heavy panting on my part. BOL. I will get to come home tonight with some meds for the weekend....we are waiting for a test to come back.

At any rate, life is good.....I have wonderful pals here on dogster and friends and family waiting at the bridge if I need to take flight.

Love always with a smile,
Holly Golightly

My Anniversary!!!

Today it is my 3rd year anniversary for being sprung out of Town Lake Shelter by Gold Ribbon Rescue. Thanks Gold Ribbon for saving my life, because I wouldn't have lasted long in there. I was down to 40 lbs, and totally depressed and not eating even though I was emaciated. Mom thought the vet was going to cry when he first saw me. I was not a pretty sight, but in spite of my bad luck I had a smile on my face and was the best behaved foster any dog could be.......and so I was adopted by my fosters and here I am to stay.

I am the epitome of a success story with adopting an older dog. I am a tribute to my rescue group and Golden Retrievers every where. I am loved and I love back.

Thanks to my dogster pals and friends and family for remembering me today.

Holly Golightly

Tagged

I got tagged by handsome Duke...

FOUR JOBS THAT I HAVE:


1. Guarding the front door....bol.

2. Entertaining any children that come over.

3. Smiling all the time!

4. Queen of the house and their hearts!


FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED AT (OR STAYED);

1. Austin, TX where I was found
2. Lakeway, TX where I live now.
3. Cedar Park, TX where I stay with the grandkids
4. ?



FOUR PLACES I HAVE BEEN:

1. Zilker Park for a GRR pawty

2. Vets office

3. Fredericksburg, TX

4. Different vets office....bol

4 PLACES I'D RATHER BE:

1. Outside under a tree

2. Grandkids house

3. With Trooper and Wendy and my pawrents

4. at the park



SEVEN THINGS ABOUT ME:

1. I love balls

2. I love to watch my parents all the time and follow them everywhere.

3. I was abandoned and left in a yard for over a month.

4. I love a short walk.

5. I love getting petted

6. I love to chew balls and kongs

7. I love the grandkids!

Now, it's my turn to tag friends...let's see....I tag

Afro Ken
Dozer
Bonnie
Annie