Morse

Morse
Morse & friend

Friday, 17 January 2014

Daylesford Summer Dispatch - Friday, 17th January 2014


Dear Friends, since I last wrote we have celebrated Viva’s life in style with a wonderful funeral at St Monica’s Church in Moonee Ponds. She would have loved it all – the reading by Terry, the eulogy given by Peter, the big crowd in the church (nearly 100); the piper playing Amazing Grace; the lovely wake next door, and the private burial where Sinatra belted out New York, New York, before we five siblings released doves to symbolise the freeing of Viva’s spirit.

We want to thank everyone who came to the funeral. We were overwhelmed that so many of our friends came to support us. There was a healthy contingent from the Climb Every Mountain Choral Society Cricket Match days, Daylesford was well-represented, as well as friends from Brunswick days, and a surprise visit from Jane from Sydney. We have been thrilled by all the phone calls, flowers, cards, emails and Facebook messages we have received. We have enjoyed hearing your stories and memories of Viva, which keeps her legacy alive in all of us.
Peter, Cathy, Wes, David, Jane & Rhonda
 
 
Malcolm, Lovely, Kathy & Joyce
After the burial we all met up at the Pascoe Vale RSL, where Viva had been a member. A room had been organised for us, there was a Vale notice as we came in the door, and Wes found a couple in the bar who had known Perc during the war. They were friends of Kevin Saundry, my only surviving uncle, and my Godfather. We family enjoyed catching up with each other as that is such a rare thing these days with us in Daylesford, Peter & Anka in Canberra, and Paun & Brian in Tathra.

Just before releasing the doves – Terry, Karen, Peter, Leanne & Paun
 
Viva’s beautiful grandchildren – Liam, Rohan & Warwick, Jessie & Michelle
We collected Bilbo & Frodo from Eureka Kennels on Saturday, where Andrew & Annette also suspected what we had been fearing – that Frodo had cancer, as his tummy was very swollen. Last week, we had decided it was best to wait until after the funeral to seek treatment as Viva’s death was enough to cope with. On Sunday morning, after the walk, Frodo refused his bone, and then an apple, and lay down on their bed with very shallow breathing and cloudy eyes. We thought it was the end, so sat as a foursome for about 2 hours until Wes decided it would be best to take Frodo into the garden if he was going to die. I got the lead out to put Bilbo in the car and suddenly Lazarus awoke, sat up straight, brightened his eyes and charged out to the hallway to be part of the walk. When we recovered from our amazement, we offered him his bone, which he demolished with gusto!

On Monday we took him to the vet, who suspected liver or kidney problems and did some tests. The results were fine, so on Tuesday, Frodo went back to the vet to have 3.5 litres of fluid drained from him. The fluid was tested and nothing showed up. Andrew finally suggested we try giving Frodo some heart-starters and diuretics to see if that would help and so far it is doing the trick. He isn’t retaining fluid and has lots of energy in spite of the heat. We don’t know if this is a band-aid solution or not, but we are grateful to have some more time with this delightful Labrador, as 9 years old is too young.

We haven’t really been doing much this week as we haven’t wanted to leave the boys and it has been too hot to go anywhere. Wes postponed a visit to Joan Testro until next week and I cancelled a massage, but we have been to early morning gym and I did have a last manicure with Michelle Jenkin before she moves to Mount Martha this weekend to start a new life with her partner, Anthony.

The highlight of the week for Wes was going to a boys’ War Film night on Tuesday, where he, Jeff Bain and Brian Nash were ‘hosted’ by Warren Pengilley. I use the term in inverted commas as Secundus as he is known, has been spoilt rotten by Jan all his life and only knows how to look after himself. I am sure his guests didn’t mind pouring their own drinks and cutting pieces of cheese and cabana.
Waterlily in the pond at Maloney Folly

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