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Saying Goodbye to Holly

September 10, 2020 By Rhoda 60 Comments

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If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you’ve probably already seen the news that we lost Holly this week. It was heart breaking and so sad, but she was 13 and unfortunately got sick. The vet didn’t think she was going to recover and it happened quickly over the weekend. The vet thinks it was vestibular disease (which causes vertigo and nausea) and after 3 days of not being able to get up and walk and not eating, Holly was so very pitiful and Mark made the hard decision to say goodbye to her. The vet came to our house and it was peaceful, but oh so sad for us. We both cried, but she lived a long good life with Mark and then here with us the last 3 years. Mark got her when she was 3 months old, so she was very special to him.

This pic was July 30th and was the last time she came out of the fence to sit with Mark after he mowed the grass. She did that pretty often the last couple of years and I’m so glad I got this picture of them. Happy days and we didn’t know how close we were to the end. We knew she was definitely getting more feeble and this would probably be her last year. She lived a long life for a big dog.

She was a sweet dog and she and I bonded the last 3 years. I know she will always have a special place in our hearts. Mark loved her dearly and is so very sad, but we know time is the healer. I just wanted to let you all know too. Our backyard will be so quiet without her presence right now, she loved being on the porch.

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Filed Under: Family Friends and Me 60 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sondra spencer says

    September 10, 2020 at 10:59 am

    So sorry for your loss! Pets are so precious!

    Reply
  2. jeannette says

    September 10, 2020 at 11:27 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. I know your pain as we’ve been through it 3 times. The vet came to our house for our sweet Abby who was 14 and yes it was peaceful but many tears were shed. I hope you both know about Rainbow Bridge which somehow helped us. Sending big hugs.

    Reply
  3. Peggy Merrill says

    September 10, 2020 at 11:29 am

    I am so sorry to hear about Holly’s passing. I have always had dogs and I know this pain. Keep her in your memories always.

    Reply
  4. Jill says

    September 10, 2020 at 11:35 am

    So very sorry for your loss. Glad you were able to get that last photo of them together.

    Reply
  5. Roxanne says

    September 10, 2020 at 11:37 am

    Rhoda and Mark, I truly believe the greatest gift we can give our pets is to allow them to die with dignity and no pain. Since John and I never had children, all the pets we have had over the last 47 years truly were our family. Over the last 10 years we only have adopted senior rescues, knowing our time with them will be short but that they desperately need and deserve a loving home. One day when I get to Heaven, I just know they will all be there to welcome me. Holly was a lucky girl and had a great life, may that give you comfort.

    Reply
  6. Toni says

    September 10, 2020 at 11:47 am

    I’m sorry you lost your Holly, but she also lost you and Mark. An animal that has been well cared for a well loved is indeed fortunate. They add so much to our existence in this life. Bless you and Mark for loving her to her end.

    Reply
  7. Linda says

    September 10, 2020 at 11:48 am

    So sorry for your loss of Holly. Pets become family members, and they leave a hole in our lives when we lose them.
    Our cat, Cosmo, was a special member of our family. After we lost him, I collected all of my photos of him and made a photo book as a memorial to him. I found it comforting both to create the photo book, and to look at it afterwards. Perhaps Mark would appreciate a photo book of his special buddy.

    Reply
  8. Carole kozak says

    September 10, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    Dear Rhoda , we lost our poodle Prince at 17 years . His collar hangs on our rearview mirror. I so sorry for you both.

    Reply
  9. Debbie S says

    September 10, 2020 at 12:37 pm

    So so sorry for your loss. Often times only people who are pet lovers truly understand the huge sense of loss we feel. Pets are family & when we lose them it is truly a loss of family member. Nothing like the unconditional love of a pet! Hugs to both of you, it will get easier with time but she will always be a wonderful memory!!

    Reply
  10. Deborah McNeil says

    September 10, 2020 at 12:39 pm

    ….and I lost my beloved Westie girl, Nellie Bly, in July – to Vestibular disease also; however, she had been blind for past 3 years and taught me many life-lessons during that time. Age 13 also

    Reply
  11. Vicky says

    September 10, 2020 at 12:43 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to let them go as they are members of our families. She looked like a very sweet girl.

    Reply
  12. Teresa A Cline says

    September 10, 2020 at 12:56 pm

    I’m so sorry! I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. She was a beautiful dog.

    Reply
  13. brenda says

    September 10, 2020 at 1:23 pm

    munch empathy from so. calif. It is so heartbreaking to tell a pet that has shown unconditional comfort that last good-bye. no matter how many times we say it, it does not get easier.

    Reply
  14. Lynne Beattie says

    September 10, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    So sorry for Mark’s loss. It is so very hard to lose a beloved pet. Please pass on my thoughts and prayers to him.

    Reply
  15. Cindy says

    September 10, 2020 at 2:32 pm

    So sorry for your loss. My Jojo is 15 and has heart problems, so I know our time together is short. It’s comforting to know that our fur babies will be waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge when we get to heaven. If you don’t know about the Rainbow Bridge, it’s a sweet, comforting poem for anyone who has ever lost a pet. Look it up.

    Reply
  16. Jes says

    September 10, 2020 at 2:53 pm

    So sorry. I have learned the hardest part of having an animal is saying goodbye. Take care

    Reply
  17. [email protected] says

    September 10, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies have a special place in our hearts and it is so painful when it is time to say goodbye to them.

    Reply
  18. Audra says

    September 10, 2020 at 3:50 pm

    I posted on FB already…still sending hugs and prayers your way from Houston!

    Reply
  19. Eleanor says

    September 10, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    Rhoda and Mark, I am so sorry to read about your loss. I have enjoyed seeing Holly in pictures over the last three years. It is tough to say goodbye to such a sweet friend. My thoughts and prayers are with y’all.

    Reply
  20. Pinky says

    September 10, 2020 at 4:44 pm

    I am so sorry for you and Mark. My son had to do the same thing last month and the vet also came to his house. Having done the same to our dog we had for 17 and a half years I know how HARD it is. She sounds like a sweet dog who was loved very much. Hugs.

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I’m Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune and I’ve spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I’m here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won’t you join me?

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