August 21st, 2005 – Memorial to Bella
On Sunday 21st August in Bella’s garden and the Charity headquarters, a memorial took place to honour the life of Bella Louise Moss and celebrate the recovery of those pets helped by the Bella Moss Foundation.
The companions and their owners
Not all of the pets could be present for Bella’s memorial because they are still infected and many are overseas, but those well enough brought their owners to remember the Big Girl who is now a legend in her own right.
All of these dogs are now fully recovered (sadly except for Connell, an eight year-old German Shepard from Dorset). Also joining us on the day were Our Dogs newspaper, Richard Allport, homeopathic vet, who took such good care of Bella for so many years and Steve, the Biscuit Man.
Together with Bella’s friends and family (and of course national and local press) we remembered Bella and celebrated the recovery of those companions who came to spend the day.
Richard Allport and Jill with a picture of Bella
We planted a white cherry blossom tree in Bella’s garden where she enjoyed so many wonderful years. All of the dogs had great fun; there was a moment for me when I burst into tears as Jessie dug up a bone that Bella had buried over a year ago, but it was a fitting reminder that Bella’s memory lives on.
All over Australia and America owners who have pets with MRSA planted ‘Bella Bushes’ so that her memorial would be internationally recognised.
It was a sombre moment as I spoke about Bella’s story, how the simple chase of a squirrel ended her life and devastated mine, but we were also glad to see Jessie, Tarka, Duke, Bud, and all back to their normal naughty selves having been so very ill with MRSA. Every year white cherry blossom will bloom in memory of Bella
Bella’s
Tree
And every year owners who have suffered the trauma of having a pet with MRSA will join us for an annual get together, and every day that I have breath in my body I shall continue to campaign for better veterinary care in this country. MRSA does not have to kill if it detected in time and treated.
Join The
Bella Moss Foundation in raising awareness.
After you have read this
download the PDF files from www.thebeallmossfoundation.com new page HOW
YOU AN HELP. You can help me keep Bella’s memory alive and prevent her
death being in vain by distributing this material in your local
communities.
And take a moment to visit the Tributes page, where so many of those
who knew her relate their memories.
Here is a beautiful poem written and read out at the memorial by my very good friend Stephen Clarke known to Bella as the 'Biscuit Man'. Stephen was to Bella a true friend and bearer of many a favourite biscuit.
Bella the Samoyed in white
Though you knew not of what hue you were born
nor of what parents you came,
like a child adopted you learn'd of a mother's love,
and your mother is Jill by name.
As a pup, ye merried the hearts
of all who petted thee, then frolicked in parks
and walked proud amidst small Pekes and tall hounds.
Children, a-wond'rous did play
and bejoyed
at thy gambol,
while you meddled with toys,
yet likely as not,
stray thought would carry thee off to a bird,
a squirrel,any will-o'-the-wisp.
What private musings once deliberated
in the now-wisely head - having seen so much
through those kind brown eyes?
And did she not Bark up! - A happy bark,
(perhaps to question: 'have I not delighted thee by
coming up to greet?)
And more would I dearly partake,
of Bella's nuzzle, soft brush- by and imploring paw;
the enquiring gaze and a lick from her tongue
on my salty palm.
Though grow old thee not:
thee ne'er to grow old, nor grey.
Samoyed, the fullmoon shall not mock,
neither the stark new-lain snow,
for thy glory is, for-ever, in the Sun's magnificent
whiteness on a cotton-wool cloud.
Stephen Clarke (August 2005)
Pictures courtesy of Nick Mays - Our Dogs Newspaper
