Name/Ages - Jackie - 10 y/o (boxer/pit mix) & Hippo Holly -5 y/o (pitbull/american bully)
Family Members: Courtney & Dustin, Savannah - age 7, Hazel - age 4, August - 10 months
2 goats - Buck & Sweetie
How long have Jackie & Holly been in the family? Jackie - 10 yrs. & Holly - 2 yrs
Profession: Stay at home mom and baker
Location: Jefferson, GA.
Nicknames: Jack & Holly
5 words/phrases that best describe Jackie & Holly?
Jackie:
Loves people
Loves playtime
Loves earning snacks
Laid Back
Considerate & respectful
Holly:
CUDDLE BUG
Loves attention & affection
Lives for treats
Velcro Dog
Eager to please
What makes Jackie & Holly unique? Jackie and I just have a connection where we understand each other’s needs and wants. We are able to read each other very well
Holly has this deep desire to please her person and to be close to them at all times. All she wants is food and love!
Jackie earning snacks with the perfect Hi-Five!
More of a lazy Hi-Five from Hippo Holly!
Rescue Stories: I was in college and I went to a local shelter when I lived in Florida to adopt my first puppy. I didn’t have a specific breed in mind, I was just looking for some kind of connection. When I saw Jackie and her litter mates, she didn’t stand out to me because she was more of a reserved puppy. She was kind of quiet and not very interested in me. My mom was drawn to her and convinced me to give her a chance. As I held her, she was very calm and pretty unsure of what was going on...but I started to fall in love with her. She was beautiful. It took about 3 days for her to break out of her little shell and we have been buddies since! She went with me almost everywhere and has been with me through good times and bad. She was the one who kick started my love for the pit bull breed! She is just such a good dog and I took pride in owning a pit bull type dog. I looked for every excuse to be able to take her out in public so they could see how great she was.
Puppy Jackie settling in!
I had been fostering dogs and adopting them out when I came across Holly’s (then named Polly’s) picture on Lifeline’s website. I immediately knew that I had to meet her and consider her as a new foster dog. The shelter workers told me that she was found alone in a field with a collar on but no tags. She also had a broken toenail and seemed pretty sad and stand-offish. I met her at the shelter with Jackie and my daughter; she just seemed to fit in comfortably. When we brought her home she seemed unsure and timid. My dog, Jackie, really helped her understand that she could trust her and our family. It was obvious that Holly had been bred on multiple occasions and didn’t know what it was like to live in a home. If I had to guess, she was probably used as a backyard breeder and she didn’t get to have much experience with socializing with other people and dogs. She still wanted so badly to be close to us and had some issues with separation anxiety. She became a total love bug and I quickly became attached to her. I realized that I didn’t want to let her go so I officially adopted her on Valentine’s day! She adds so much joy and love into our lives with her loving and affectionate personality. I have also loved seeing Jackie and Holly’s friendship grow.
Sweet Holly at the shelter.
What is your favorite pastime as a family? I have lots of great memories with Jackie. She has been in my life for a long time and has been my most “bomb proof” dog. I have loved seeing her socialize properly with all kinds of animals: rabbit, chicks, goats, other dogs, cats, guinea pigs, etc. She is the dog that has been with me through college, getting married, and having kids. She has been with us for each of my kids being born and I love to look at the pictures of her with my kids in their baby pictures. She is, and was, always there.
There is one specific memory with Holly that I absolutely love. I took her and Jackie to the dog park one day and I noticed 2 dogs playing rough. One of the dogs was obviously getting irritated and uncomfortable with the other dog’s behavior. I would watch as Holly would calmly insert herself between the 2 dogs to separate them. I watched as she would attempt to block the dog from the misbehaving dog on multiple occasions. She was always calm in her approach as if she had everything under control. I watched her in amazement realizing that she is protecting this dog that she doesn’t even know. She was attempting to be a peacemaker at the dog park and it made me love and appreciate her even more!
What is life like since you rescued Jackie & Holly? I can’t imagine life without Jackie and Holly. Without them, there would be an emptiness in the home for me. They help me teach my kids how to socialize with dogs properly and how we are supposed to care for animals. I feel that my friends have begun to see what great dogs pit bulls can be and they have come to adore my dogs.
I have noticed Holly’s love for people and other dogs grow. I have noticed Jackie happier and more active now that Holly is around. I feel like our family is whole and complete with the two of them here and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Photographers Note: I met up with Courtney & the pups in a lovely park in Jefferson, GA. It was a busy morning for the family, so Courtney opted to come solo. We had the park to ourselves so could move around easily for various shots. The trees were starting to flower which added some nice color. Jackie & Holly were great sports. Each waiting their turn patiently when they weren’t being photographed together; showing off their tricks and happily taking all the treats we would give them. I can absolutely see how these two would be great ambassadors, both so calm and happy. I love that these two have such a big family to love them and in turn they are teaching so many wonderful lessons to their kids. Keep up the great work Jackie & Hippo Holly.
Pibble Sisters!