Holly - Tailends 10.03.07 – 03.02.08

Holly - We first heard about Holly in mid February 2007, when we were initially asked to take her at Tailends by our friends in Staffordshire. I agreed, particularly as we were told that she was quite poorly, having been rescued from the local dog pound in a much neglected condition. However a local lady offered to take her on permanent foster so we agreed that would be best for Holly. Sadly the foster did not work out and she was again in need of a home, so I immediately made plans to get her to Tailends as soon as possible so that the old girl would not have to be moved again. Holly arrived here at about 4pm on Saturday March 10th and came for a nice walk on the dunes after her long journey. She really enjoys her walks and eats everything put in front of her. She loves the beach and does a little hop and skip when she feels the sand beneath her feet.

Holly was a small brindle lurcher bitch. Her exact age was unknown but we guessed at around 13 years. She was totally deaf and had an eye condition which our vet discovered when we took her to be examined. This disease of the eye is known as Pannus. I had never heard of this before but apparently it is when the immune system treats the eye as alien tissue and attacks it. She also has cataracts. The Pannus was treated initially with steroid drops and then with Cyclosporine. We hoped to save her sight though Pannus is incurable. Holly had a major dental with about 21 extractions but her mouth needed continual monitoring to prevent further disease as tartar built up very quickly. I used paste twice daily to reduce this. She had a dental on 28th June 2007 but needed a second major dental on 20th November when most of her back teeth were extracted.

Holly got very tired but this was to be expected as she enjoyed more exercise and mental stimulation than she had probably had in the past. We have no idea what her life was like before she found herself in a dog pound, but judging by the thickness of her coat it is likely that she was kept outside. Holly reminded me so much of little Arfa. Her face was very like his and she had the same little dancing gait as she walked. I suspected that she had early dementia which proved to be correct as she slowly deteriorated.

Holly enjoyed her life at Tailends and always had a very healthy appetite gobbling up just about anything that was put in front of her with great relish. She loved her Weetabix for breakfast. Last year she came to the beach each morning and loved to walk back through the dunes, bouncing along as if she was on springs. Holly was such a happy girl. Gradually she became more confused and her walks took place in the nearby fields. She remained happy and ate and slept very well. She was physically well and in quite good health for her age. However on Saturday 2nd February I saw a different look on her face as I took her for a walk along the footpath. I could see something which told me that life was becoming difficult and she was no longer enjoying herself. I do not believe that she was in pain but her quality of life was obviously not what it should be. The next day she did not get up from her bed and seemed very weak. She lay on her bed all the morning and was still asleep when the vet arrived at 1.30pm. Holly slipped into that deep sleep from which there is no awakening without knowing anything. It was very quick and easy for her but not for me as I miss her so much. She was so full of happiness and fun until those last days. Her sad past completely forgotten since arriving at Tailends. I hope she is skipping forever in green meadows with her sight and hearing restored. She joins that ever growing number of souls who we have been privileged to share some time on this earth. We will meet again one day so wait for me dear little girl.