My Amazing Holly

[Richard Crowe]

Holly doesn't do a lot of tricks.  She sits on command and shakes hands but not much more; except to be a therapy dog to scared little Maltese rescues.  However, that's the most important thing she could ever do...

Our rescue  had a event today at a Petco store in Irvine, CA.  One of our fosters brought an 11-month old Maltese-Poodle, Luke to the event.  Every time Luke saw a big dog he went crazy, barking and screaming and wanting to kill it.  He even wanted to attack a big goldendoodle who was in the Petco. Luke had been a stray and was probably beaten up by a large dog.

We decided that Holly could take care of Luke and we brought him to our house after the event (he didn't get adopted because of his behavior). He saw Holly, barked at her once, she sniffed him, he sniffed her and the next thing, Holly and he were drinking together a from her water bowl.

I expected Holly to win him over but fully expected that it would take a day or two.  I don't know what kind of powers Holly possesses but, they are mind boggling.

I keep thinking that I couldn't love that big gal any more than I do but, Holly keeps proving me wrong in that respect.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I love hearing stories about Holly! She came to Earth with a special job to do and she does it so very well!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is alpha in the most positive way.  Holly tells the others that she will take care of them and keep them safe and they believe her.

[Pat and Traveler]

Holly is such a sweet girl!  It's great that the little dogs recognize her as a gentle soul.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Holly is a wonderful soul. She puts dog whisperers to shame : )

[Richard Crowe]

We are truly blessed with having a big girl with a personality like Holly's. Although we didn't plan it it just came about.

However, we got Holly when she was quite young (7-weeks old) because she would have been too big to fly in the cabin with me from Texas where she was born to Southern California where I live.  She gained almost a half-pound each day as a little puppy.  Since she, at 7.5 pounds, was small enough the fit under the seat in a soft carrier, she was also the size of the Maltese with whom she has always lived. 

This is Holly at 8 and a half weeks.  By this time, she weighed eleven pounds.

I think that Holly joined our Maltese gang as a litter -mate and I really believe that she thinks of herself as a Maltese.

Holly also had the advantage of Shadow, our daughter's Labrador who became a mother figure to Holly and would frequently put rambunctious Holly in her place, like a mother dog would...

All that combined with Holly's loving personality plus the love we have given Holly have made her into a great therapy dog for rescue Maltese.

What astounds me, is how these scared little dogs seem to know that 55-pound Hollyis a friend and will cause them no harm...

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

How wonderful. It is always thought that Rehab dogs are trained but sometimes they are born as in Holly's case. Good Job Holly.

[Miss Ellie]

That is so sweet...good girl sweet Holly...we are so proud of you!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

How sweet! 

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Richard, both you and Holly are very lucky!  Don't those special moments make it soooo wonderful having Doodles?

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

She is a saint-always there to help out by just being herself!