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| Wait! Photo opp! |
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| Statistics
DOB: ~2007
Arrival Date to Kennel: June 6, 2009
Adopted from the Upper Valley Humane Society
Nicknames: Holly Bolly, Hollywood, Woodie
Personality Traits: CRAZY!!!
Favorite Toys: Finn's red Kong Balls
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| Hey! |
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| Favorite toy, mmm... |
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| This is good toy! |
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Oh my! It's been almost three years since we brought Holly home and replaced all of our window screens! She is a true love now. Holly starts her morning routine by jumping on the bed (she is a permanent house dog), and cuddling until morning starts. We have only heard her bark once! and she has never participated in a Howl-thon. She does grumble! Holly thinks puppies are about the best thing ever and will play with them as long as possible. She will run on the team, but not pull - she's just in for the experience.
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| Got an itch |
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| Ready? |
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| Dreaming, of Mr Tuggs... |
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Holly had sever separation anxiety when she first came to us - we adopted her through our Humane Society. They told us that she had been in several kennels/humane societies. The story we received was that she escaped one too many times for her original owners. The first time we left her alone in the house (with another dog), they tore the mud room up (I think it was Sam who was a year old, and probably thought this was sooo much fun!). The next day was the first time she went through a window screen, and was running around the yard. Thankfully our neighbor called us and I was able to go home and get her. She had not only tore the living room window screen out, but had jumped over the gate on the deck! After a few more windows and screens (she progressed to trying to get through any crack and would loosen the frame from the wall) I spoke with our vet and she prescribed a few anti-anxiety medications while we started working on some options. After she tore up one of living room chairs, I was certain that was it. But we kept at it. Initially, we realized she did not like to be restrained or held or hugged. She did not like the crate or small contained areas. She did not like the Barn or Rock yard with all the dogs. We focused on what she did like, what gave her calmness, and why? When did she feel secure and safe? The first thing we learned was that she could not be alone. Being with another dog helped her security immensely. Every few weeks, we were able to decrease the medications she was taking. The dog she was with was also important. Finnegan was her primary babysitter, but we also started introducing to the other dogs to see if there was anyone she was afraid of or liked. By the time fall training arrived, she was only on a steady dose of one medication, Prozac, which we have seen decreased even further. We tried her on team...she seemed to enjoy being out and about, felt ok about being tethered to a bunch of other dogs who were comfortable with the task at hand. The exercise was great for her as well.
Even now, I still don't quite know what we specifically did outside of really making an effort to make her feel safe and secure and respecting her limits. Her limits are sometimes inconvenient for us, ie, we can not take her camping with the other dogs because she does not like to be in the truck for long periods of time and so we have to arrange a sitter for her, but that's Hollywood. She will not go into the Rock or Barn yard through the front gate, but may wonder in through the pond gate if all the dogs are in the pond yard. She has quirks, but that is who she is.
She is wonderful and loving and affectionate and loves to play with toys inside and dig outside. She has a routine and has been in that routine now longer than anything else she has known. She is accepting of most new dogs and like to play. She is fascinated by puppies and their play, and joins in whenever possible. She does not mind car rides. She is a good girl!
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| Must... Get... ALL the peanut butter! |
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