Holly Thorne 2008-2025

We had to put Holly to sleep today.

She had slowed down a lot recently, was mostly deaf and blind, but a routine blood test revealed that she was in complete renal failure, and so we made the difficult decision not to prolong things and to act before she really started to suffer.

Luckily I was off today, and both Jackie and June were able to come home early so we could spend a final afternoon together, we went for a last, gentle walk in Holly’s beloved woods and there was lots of hugging and treats.

She was my faithful companion, and has been at my side almost constantly since we rescued her at the end of 2008– I didn’t really want a dog, but June persuaded me (and I’m very glad she did!).

I have taken a lot of pictures of Holly over the years (surprise, surprise), here is just a small selection:

but my favorite is the one at the top of this post.

It was back in 2016 and we were on vacation in Vermont with my parents and one afternoon Holly and I went off on our own to hike one of the trails up the mountain to an overlook with fabulous views. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm but cooler in the shade of the trees; a perfect day for a couple of hours hiking with your best friend. It’s how I shall remember her and how I hope she is now- fit and tireless and running with joyous abandon through the woods.

She was a wonderful dog and we shall miss her terribly.