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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