This is the love story as told to me by Ellen Clayton, mama of Holly, a Staffordshire Terrier from Manchester England.
Tell me about the first time you met Holly, when and where was it? How did you feel and what made you feel that way?
This was back in January of 2010; we had an older dog at the time with not a lot of time. I mentioned I was thinking about getting another dog to workmates. I was told about a Staffordshire Terrier; I was thinking that to be a big size dog. I met up with them at an Ikea. She was timid, but we decided to give it a go because our other was alone for 14 years now. Once back home, I was thinking this wasn’t going to work. Then she jumped up on the couch and laid on me, she was laying across me! I said, “That’s it, she’s staying! Holly and ScrappyDoo, our older dog became the best of friends.
Thinking back, how would you describe Holly’s personality as a puppy? And as an adult?
She was quite shy, but, very, very loving. Holly was my first Staffie. Holly growled a bit when I thought she did something wrong. It turns out that this was just her way of vocalizing. As a puppy, she loved to eat anything plastic. I found out later she wouldn’t bother with other dogs much, but she was a Daddy’s girl (my ex now)! Holly loved to play. She hated baths with a passion, she’d freeze if she knew she was getting one, but loved puddles. We had a massive puddle near our house and when I took her for a walk, she’d cry until I let her play in it, it took me ages to drag her way. We lost Scrappy in September of 2010. Scrappy was already at the vet's with a tumor and the day we found out it was also in her heart. I was at home with Holly. I took her for a walk, and this is when she refused to walk, never had she done this before. Later on, I found out from the vet about the tumor. It was almost as if Holly had a premonition that this was not going to be a good day at all.
And now how would Holly describe your personality?
She would say that I spoiled her all of the time! We played all the time. She’d bring me a toy and expected that wouldn’t refuse to play with her!
What did you learn from Holly?
That Staffy’s are a beautiful breed, not at all what the media makes out. How much fun I had. She taught me to enjoy playing and how to be young at heart. Bullies get bad press. The breed is so loving, I can't fault the breed at all. They are such loving dogs.
What are the top three things you always want to remember about your love?
1. How mouthy she could be! She was very talkative!
2. How loving she was.
3. Holly was a beautiful soul, nothing phased her.
When did Holly earn her wings?
November 5, 2018
When did you join Paws?
December 2018
Do you remember how you found Paws?
I think someone reached out to me; I think it was you, Pam!
What has or is helping you get to the other side of grief? What advice would you share with someone who recently started grieving?
In my personal opinion, I feel that she went fast and too young. At times I like looking at pictures, sometimes I am happy and then sometimes I get sad. She passed so early after being diagnosed. You kind of, not accept it, but learn to live with it, It’s hard. There’s a lot of emotions you go through, and I think they don’t ever go away.
Where are you now in your grief?
I’ve kept her bowl and some of her toys. I also have her harness and lead. I have memories. I am still quite raw nearly two years after.
Using your spiritual and intuitive mind,
If I could get a message to Holly from you, what would you want to say? What would you want to let Holly know?
I would say, “Mommy misses you so much, India misses you much,” that’s her sister. I so miss walking the fields with you. We would walk and play ball in the early morning while still dark. Mommy will see you one day.
And if I could get a message from you to Holly what would you like to know?
I’m now pain-free! I am having lots of fun here. I am waiting for the day you come to join me, and I miss you. Scrappy is here, and I’m looking after her as well! And Freddy says hello
Is there anything else you would like to share with you Paws Pack about Holly?
I would just like them to know what a beautiful soul Holly was and a great advocate of the breed, one in a million dog. She was so funny and had a huge personality, she was very loyal. As mentioned, she was a daddy’s girl, and when we split up, I kept her. The best decision I made.