Holly was great. A
Great Dane. White
with black spots.
Statuesque, legs 
like a thoroughbred’s.
Brainy as Albert, if
He had been a dog.
Regal, no pretensions,
Humane more than humans.

Kids in the creek, 
Logs came unjammed.
A torrent of water —
Kids under the deluge.
Smallest one sunken.
Dad came arunning,
reached for a kid,
Dad lost his footing,
plopped in the mud.
Dad held a branch,
water too quick 
Kids reached their arms —
Grabbed nothing but air.

Into the creek came Holly.
Planted her feet,
Sluiced her whole head,
Smallest kid gasped,
Dad grabbed his collar,
while Holly got others.
Holly was great.
A great Great Dane.