Holly Jolly Honea

Twelve years ago this past December my parents loaded my sister and brother and i into the car early one saturday morning to go get breakfast.  I assumed it was an amazing restaurant we were going to because it took about two and a half hours to get there.  When we finally pulled up we got out at McDonalds and i was thoroughly confused.  But, being the completely naive/gullible girl that i always have been,  i didn't read that much more into it.

After breakfast we drove a little further and eventually pulled into the driveway of a house i had never been to before.  As we were getting out my parents exclaimed "Merry Christmas!" and explained to us that our Christmas present this year was a new puppy!

After meeting several basset hound siblings we all were drawn to one in particular and it was an easy decision to make about who the new member of the Honea family would be.  In remembrance of the Christmas present that she was, we named her Holly. 

Holly Jolly Honea.

This past Thursday i drove home to Bryant to tell Holly goodbye.  She ended up getting sick early last week and the vet did not give her very good odds.  So my mom called us all up and told us we probably wanted to come soon to see Holly before it was too late.  It was one of the saddest things i've ever had to do.

I've never considered myself a huge animal lover.  I don't dislike animals at all, but my family is the biggest group of animal lovers i've ever seen...so in comparison to them i just have never even come close to their level of love/obsession.  But Holly's different.  Holly could turn the most coldhearted person into a best friend.  All she had to do was look up at you with her dark soulful eyes and you would always love her.  

I've cried more tears this past week than i ever thought i would about an animal.  But Holly was so much more than just an animal. She was a member of the family.  And even in her weakened state she still did everything she could to show her love to her family when we were around.  

My mom called me late last night to let me know that Holly was gone.  And as sad as i am that she has gone it was still an answer to the prayer that we've been praying all week.  That God would take her peacefully at home and spare us the pain of having to put her down and her the pain of having to leave the house.  So i am thankful for that.

So Holly, this post is for you.  I will miss your deep bellowing bark...the way you were the first one to always greet me when i came home...how much you loved to dance with us WHENEVER we wanted (which was a lot)...and the way you self(dog?)lessly loved your family.  You will not be forgotten.

Holly Jolly Honea in her young party days