Faith Hogan's beagle Holly was a 'velvet-eared bundle of energy' who chewed through her home and into her heart. Born in a kennel at a dog food factory in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, Ireland, Holly arrived as a puppy one sunny evening, immediately bonding with Hogan.
A Destructive but Lovable Force
Holly's appetite was insatiable: she gnawed table legs, car seats, and even the steering wheel of Hogan's car. A friend built a steel rack to keep her safe in the hatchback. The kitchen bin was emptied daily, and shoes and jeans were eaten off radiators. Hogan recalls, 'She was a big beagle, which added to her charm, but also made the trail of destruction in her wake even more devastating.'
Gentle Nature Despite the Chaos
Despite the havoc, Holly never snapped, even in old age. Hogan describes her as 'the friendliest dog you can imagine,' with a face that melted hearts. Every person, cat, dog, or hedgehog was a friend. 'Just as well I hadn't been hoping for a guard dog,' Hogan adds.
A Lasting Bond
When Hogan married, she moved to a busy road unsuitable for a heedless beagle, so her sister took Holly at age four. Leaving her was 'the biggest wrench,' but Hogan visited weekly. Holly died at 14, with Hogan by her side, rubbing her soft ears. 'She was so much more than just a pet,' Hogan says. 'When she was mine, we did everything together, walked for miles, watched Friends – she was a comfort as well as a joy.'
Hogan's book The Sisters of Hope Square is out now.
