A little black and white pit bull named Holly is teaching Chemainus school children about kindness, compassion and the indomitable spirit of animals.

Holly was shot several times with a pellet gun and dumped in the parking lot of the Country Grocer store in Cobble Hill on Christmas Eve. Holiday shoppers called the SPCA, and emergency response officer Rick Hunter arrived to find the dog bleeding profusely from her face, back and thigh. She was also covered in mange and severely emaciated. She was lactating heavily and it was obvious that she had just had puppies. Her mange riddled babies were eventually located and handed over to the SPCA.

Holy's story really touched the hearts of kids at Chemainus school. Children were given their choice of 10 different presenters for the school’s annual Community Activity Days, and the SPCA was by far the most popular.

“Here we have a dog who was abused, neglected and left for dead, and has every reason in the world to fear people,” said Sandi Trent, manager of the BC SPCA’s Cowichan and District Branch. “Instead, this gentle animal has shown an endless capacity for forgiveness.”

This has certainly softened our view a bit concerning the Pit Bull breed.