Major League Baseball

Derek Holland forgives dog that injured him, and we should, too

Published Dec. 15, 2014 5:05 p.m. ET

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The holiday season is here.

It's a time that brings out the best in people. There's gift giving and good cheer spreading. There's mistletoe kissing and Christmas caroling. There are sweaters, and dreidels, and ladles full of heavily bourboned egg nog. But most of all, there's forgiveness for the pets and animals that have wronged us throughout the year (That's you, Randy -- I forgive you).

The man leading this wave of exoneration is Rangers pitcher Derek Holland, who gave in to the holiday spirit by releasing the heartwarming video above featuring his pet boxer, Wrigley.

Wrigley is largely known to the national public as the beast that undercut Holland on his home staircase while the two were "clowning around" last January. Holland banged his left knee on a step, which led to arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage.

At the time there were rumors swirling that he injured himself playing hockey, but Holland quickly denied those rumors and revealed the true culprit.

"He was running up the stairs and clipped me," Holland told ESPN. "I hit my knee on the step, and if it wasn't for me grabbing the rail, I might have fallen all the way down the stairs and cracked my head open."

And in an interview with the Dallas Morning News, he said, "I was doing a typical guy thing, clowning around with the dog thing, and this happened."

What happened was Holland missed all but the final month of the 2014 season. His first start came on Sept. 2 with the Rangers sporting an abysmal 53-85 record. It was a year plagued by injury for Texas as nearly their entire roster did tumble down the stairs, figuratively speaking.

Even though he missed nearly a full season, it's nice to see Holland take the high road. And I urge you all to follow his lead.

It's time to free yourself of any pent-up anger. Quit withholding treats from Benson, Brisket, Ginger and Willis just because they defecated in unconventional places. And stop using the spray bottle on Dee-da-lee, Mittens and Mr. Meowgi for exhibiting their jaw-dropping agility all over your nice furniture and curtains.

They're animals, for crying out loud. Fascinating, filthy, disgusting animals. And we love them very much.

Merry Christmas, you filthy animals.

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