HOLLY

"Holly's Scrapbook"

Holly came to us in 1989 aged 10 weeks, having being born at the RSPCA refuge in Reading, Berkshire UK.

She grew up with Jenna & Luke, and was always their protector and guardian.

In 1993 Jenna started Obedience with Holly. Jenna was only 7 years old but together they won the

Special Award for the best team in their class - which consisted enitrely of adults!

When we moved to France, Holly, of course, came too and adapted extremely well..........a little too well in fact! She became a secret "chasseur" - or hunter - and loved to chase rabbits, which the local huntsmen did not appreciate.

Holly was always a real "Mother Hen" to our puppies - inspite of the fact that she was spayed at 9 weeks old. Up to her last days with us, she continued to enjoy the puppies, although her patience, like any elderly lady, ran thin at times.

Her very last photos were taken a couple of days before she died, and she was watching tv with a Yorkie pup on her tail and a baby Crested asleep on her back.

As a family, Holly has left a terrible gap in our lives. She gave and never asked for anything. She loved us without conditions. She taught us about TRUE LOVE. Even in her death she was trusting and loving and was happy because she was out with me on an outing.

with Chino, Jenna's Shiba Inu

Our children will be better people because of Holly. They learnt about life & love with her, and now they have had to learn about death, and why sometimes we have to make heart breaking decisions for the sake of others. Holly was selfless in her life, we have had to be selfless in letting her go.

Goodbye and à bientôt, Holly.

We will always love you.

Maynard, Jacqui, Jenna & Luke

Some poems & prose people sent to help us say goodbye to Holly

If you ever love an animal, there are at least two days in you life you will always remember....

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleetingmoment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter--simple because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore its special place in your hall or front room--and when you feel it brush against you for the first time--it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will come when your friend leaves you. It may be a sudden, anguished moment, a decision your friend and God have made for you, or a decission you make for your friend, out of compassion and caring. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you, whether after a few weeks or months, or after many years--that day you will feel as long as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul--a bit smaller in size than your own--seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come.

And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg--very very lightly.

And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay--you will remember those two significant days. The memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your heart--As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a third day when--along with the memory of your pet--and piercing through the heaviness in your heart--there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love--like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after thepetals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow--and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keepwith us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets--it is a Love we will always possess.

(by Martin Scot Kosins, adapted)

I Stood By Your Bed

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,

You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shop today, your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I walked with you towards the house as you fumbled for your key.

I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me."

You looked so tired, and sank in to a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

To say to your with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew....

In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning

And say "Goodnight, God Bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

and you'll run on, around the bend,

gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,

life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

but they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

take with you this..I loved you best.

thanks to everyone who has sent words of comfort.......


	Holly 1989 - 2006 "Holly's Scrapbook" Holly came to us in 1989 aged 10 weeks, having being born at the RSPCA refuge in Reading, Berkshire UK. She grew up with Jenna & Luke, and was always their protector and guardian. In 1993 Jenna started Obedience with Holly. Jenna was only 7 years old but together they won the Special Award for the best team in their class - which consisted enitrely of adults! Holly in 1994 When we moved to France, Holly, of course, came too and adapted extremely well..........a little too well in fact! She became a secret "chasseur" - or hunter - and loved to chase rabbits, which the local huntsmen did not appreciate. 1994/1995 Holly was always a real "Mother Hen" to our puppies - inspite of the fact that she was spayed at 9 weeks old. Up to her last days with us, she continued to enjoy the puppies, although her patience, like any elderly lady, ran thin at times. Her very last photos were taken a couple of days before she died, and she was watching tv with a Yorkie pup on her tail and a baby Crested asleep on her back. As a family, Holly has left a terrible gap in our lives. She gave and never asked for anything. She loved us without conditions. She taught us about TRUE LOVE. Even in her death she was trusting and loving and was happy because she was out with me on an outing. with Chino, Jenna's Shiba Inu Our children will be better people because of Holly. They learnt about life & love with her, and now they have had to learn about death, and why sometimes we have to make heart breaking decisions for the sake of others. Holly was selfless in her life, we have had to be selfless in letting her go. Goodbye and à bientôt, Holly. We will always love you. xxxxx Maynard, Jacqui, Jenna & Luke xxxxx Some poems & prose people sent to help us say goodbye to Holly A LIVING LOVE If you ever love an animal, there are at least two days in you life you will always remember.... The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleetingmoment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter--simple because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore its special place in your hall or front room--and when you feel it brush against you for the first time--it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come. The second day will come when your friend leaves you. It may be a sudden, anguished moment, a decision your friend and God have made for you, or a decission you make for your friend, out of compassion and caring. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you, whether after a few weeks or months, or after many years--that day you will feel as long as a single star in the dark night. If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you. But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul--a bit smaller in size than your own--seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come. And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg--very very lightly. And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay--you will remember those two significant days. The memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your heart--As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache. But there will be, I assure you, a third day when--along with the memory of your pet--and piercing through the heaviness in your heart--there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love--like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after thepetals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow--and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keepwith us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets--it is a Love we will always possess. (by Martin Scot Kosins, adapted) I Stood By Your Bed I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep. I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here." I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me. I was with you at the shop today, your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more. I walked with you towards the house as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me." You looked so tired, and sank in to a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there. It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday. To say to your with certainty, "I never went away." You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew.... In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you. The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning And say "Goodnight, God Bless, I'll see you in the morning." And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand side by side. I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me. I Loved You Best So this is where we part, My Friend, and you'll run on, around the bend, gone from sight, but not from mind, new pleasures there you'll surely find. I will go on, I'll find the strength, life measures quality, not its length. One long embrace before you leave, share one last look, before I grieve. There are others, that much is true, but they be they, and they aren't you. And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought, will remember well all you've taught. Your place I'll hold, you will be missed, the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed. And as you journey to your final rest, take with you this..I loved you best. - Unknown thanks to everyone who has sent words of comfort....... back to Rainbow Bridge \| home Chinese Cresteds \| About Us \| Chinese Gentlemen \| Chinese Ladies \| Chinese Nursery \| Available \| CRESTED NEWS \| Chinese Hopefuls \| Meet the Family \| Handling \| HOLLY \| Crested Info & Articles \| Contact & Guestbook \| Rainbow Bridge Yorkshire Terriers