Ms. Holly

In Loving Memory of Ms. Holly – The Rescue

 January 9, 2014 – June 16, 2026

Ms. Holly passed away peacefully at home on June 16, 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Nugget, and is survived by her devoted sister, Abby.

Ms. Holly's story began on January 9, 2014, at the old feed mill on Twiggs Street in Augusta, Georgia. Her remarkable rescue and journey can still be found on her Facebook page, Hollys New Beginning.

It is often said that it takes a village, and no dog embodied that more than Ms. Holly. From the moment she was rescued, she was surrounded by people with compassionate hearts. Fundraisers were held to help pay for her medical care, which inspired even more events in her honor and adoption drives that highlighted her incredible story. In 2016, Ms. Holly was named the first-ever Augusta's Top Underdog, an honor presented by That's What Friends Are For.

When her dad, Cash Powers, first found her, he believed he was about to bury a dog that had already passed away before the abandoned building was demolished. As he approached, Ms. Holly slowly raised her head. In that single moment, a new chapter began—not only for Ms. Holly, but for all of us.

From the very beginning, the outpouring of help was extraordinary. Friends and strangers alike came together to rescue her. Tara and Mike Romes arrived on that dark January night, with temperatures falling into the single digits, to help bring Ms. Holly to safety. That rescue would ultimately inspire Tara Romes to collaborate with others in founding That's What Friends Are For, Inc., helping countless other animals find the same second chance that Ms. Holly received.

Ms. Holly's medical journey was long and challenging. Merle Mohr, a veterinary technician in Norcross, generously offered to care for her, and we made weekly—and sometimes twice-weekly—trips for her treatments. Ms. Holly had lost nearly 90% of her hair. She suffered from puncture wounds, chemical burns, severe demodectic mange, and scabies. Despite the odds stacked against her, they believed in her and gave her every chance to heal.

And heal she did.

Once her treatments were complete, Ms. Holly blossomed into the dog she was always meant to be. She adored her brother Nugget and refused to go anywhere unless he led the way. Later came her sister Abby, whose playful spirit helped Ms. Holly come even further out of her shell. With Abby around, Ms. Holly suddenly had competition for our affection—and she wasn't shy about reminding us whenever she wanted a little extra love.

Ms. Holly loved life with her whole heart. She loved walks—long or short, in sunshine, rain, or snow—it never mattered. She simply loved being outside with her family. She loved boat rides, sitting proudly on the pontoon with her ears dancing in the wind. Water was one of her greatest joys. Mud puddles, creeks, rivers, and the lake—if there was water nearby, Ms. Holly was in it.

Her favorite adventures were our trips to Half Moon Island at the lake. We could barely get the boat onto the beach before she would leap into the water. More than once, the next thing we'd see would be deer swimming back toward shore after Ms. Holly enthusiastically announced her arrival.

Everywhere she went, Ms. Holly brought smiles to people's faces. If she sought you out in a crowd, consider yourself someone special—she had a remarkable way of finding kind hearts.

Ms. Holly's life is a testament to what compassion, determination, and community can accomplish. Without the many rescuers, volunteers, veterinarians, supporters, and friends who believed in one broken little dog, we would never have had the privilege of sharing her extraordinary story.

She taught us that no life is beyond hope, no soul is beyond saving, and that love has the power to heal even the deepest wounds.

Run free now, sweet Girl. Find Nugget waiting for you across the Rainbow Bridge. Chase the deer, splash through every creek, feel the wind in your ears, and know that you will forever be loved, forever be missed, and forever be remembered.

Those wishing to honor Ms. Holly's memory are encouraged to make a donation to That's What Friends Are For, Inc., so that more animals can be given the same chance at a new beginning that she so beautifully lived.