Tuesday, November 16, 2010

What a sweet gesture.





With 'the font' away for 'Granny fonts' 92nd birthday Wilf and yours truly were left to fend for ourselves. Pizza for lunch and a pre-cooked chicken casserole - "all you have to do is warm up the oven" - for dinner. It should be noted that pizza crusts rank up there with cauliflower cheese as an all time PON favourite.

After Wilf had enthusiastically finished off a large bowl of chicken and potatoes it was time for fun in the hallway. Not so long ago we would have rug surfed and played rugby for forty five minutes solid. Now, it's three minutes of action , ten minutes of down time, three minutes of action, fifteen minutes of down time. Come nine thirty prompt, he got up, put his paw on my arm and clearly announced it was his bedtime. Uncanny.

The mayor came to see me late in the morning. The pigeons have got into the church belfry again and a dead bird has fallen into the mechanism and stopped the clock. No more chiming thirteen - twice - on the hour every hour. I prayed that my delight wasn't too obvious.

We wandered across the village green to see what could be done. After yesterdays heavy rain the church roof is leaking and the plaster work behind the frescoes is bowing with the resulting damp. The church is a strange affair. During the '14-'18 war the village was decimated. 10% of the population killed and a similar number maimed. All young men or rather almost all the young men. After the war the villagers covered every square inch of the old building with paintings commemorating the war, the fallen, and their grief. There's now a very real danger that it may all crumble into dust.

While the mayor and I discussed the options Wilf stretched out on his back on the gravel outside the church door. When we emerged there was one very comfortable, very relaxed boy snoring peacefully away.

Just as it was getting dark the mayors wife appeared at the front gate with a small 'cedar of lebanon' sapling taken from the ancient old tree in the churchyard. She'd remembered that Digby had passed on six months ago and had brought this to plant over his resting place on top of the ridge. What a sweet gesture. Despite its struggles our little French village is a place of continuity.

33 comments:

  1. Wilf does look relaxed on the gravel. How, is anyone's guess.

    What a nice gesture with the little tree.

    XXXOOO Daisy, kendra & Bella

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  2. Yes, that's a really beautiful gesture. Fortunately, here in France, some people have this type of memory, but unfortunately, less and less...
    Thanks Angus for sharing this lovely photo of Wilfee stretching out on his back, he is so cute.
    Enjoy this new day sweet boy, cuddles and bisous to you.

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  3. Hey there Angus...
    I held my breath as I opened up your blog this morning (I've been away for two days). I am so grateful that Wilf is still enjoying his days of Grace. (Yesterday's pictures particularly are joyous!)
    If I count correctly it is now 29!!! Wow, can you believe that he has defied those Vets so remarkably. It truly is wonderful and I wish you guys many, many more! What an incredible blessing - especially that he's pain free and you all seem strong. I know it's not easy, but hang in their and seize the day!
    Sending lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SA

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  4. Love the first pictures of Wilf relaxed - somehow - in the gravel.

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  5. Wilf has touched the hearts of many....
    xoxo

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  6. Ahhh.. the sweetest pictures today of my all time favourite Wilf. Have a wonderful day to you both.

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  7. Sometimes it's the little things, like sweet gestures, in life that mean the most.

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

    PS Pizza crust and cauliflower cheese are favorites of a certain boxer too.... ;)

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  8. Love the pictures Wilf!
    Lotsa Licks
    Casper Bear

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  9. That first photo of Wilf laughing as he touches his toes is just adorable! And how lovely of the mayor's wife to remember Digby.

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  10. That is a lovely gesture. I can see why you've settled in that place. It sounds kind of special in a crazy sort of way.

    lotsa licks, Lola

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  11. Angus, "there's not place like home" and it sounds like your family is at home now.

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  12. Is there a church roof anywhere in the world that isn't leaking and in need of attention?
    The little church is a soul bared. By coming to you, they have made you part of them. And the little tree, an affirmation that you now have "roots". You'll be there to see it grow

    Wilf's happy smile never fails to brighten our darker days.
    Love and prayers.

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  13. Aww, that is a sweet gesture!

    So, did you accidentally drop a wrench into the mechanism to make sure it doesn't get fixed? I bet they'd paint a picture of you on the wall for that!

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  14. That first photo of Wilf is wonderful. It made me smile, laugh, and feel his contentment.

    I have to agree with someone else's comment. It seems like you've found your home, albeit a slightly batty one. The gesture by the mayor's wife was very touching, even to me, a continent away.

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  15. Has it been six months since Digby left us? How touching that the mayor's wife would not only remember, but choose to commemorate the anniversary by planting a sapling -- something that says he was one of ours...

    You've obviously been adopted -- no small accomplishment!!!

    Home sweet home.

    xxx Joan

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  16. Rich people pay lots of money to get massages where people put rocks on their backs. Wilf has just cut out the middle man! :)

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  17. Gorgeous frescoes! Hoping there is a way to save them. Lovely post - read like a screenplay. Happy Birthday to the Grand Font! xo

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  18. Beautiful paintings in the church - it's hard to tell that they are bowing. And I can understand your temporary relief at the stuck bell (although I love european church bells!). Also love those pictures of Wilf - what a lovely gift from the Mayor's wife. Birthday wishes from us too to Grandfont.
    Big Hugs xoxoxo
    Sammie and Avalon

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  19. what an interesting little place where you live. that was nice of mrs. mayor to give you the small tree. Wilf looks content.

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  20. That first picture of Wilf! How can anyone be so cute!! And I agree with those above who've noted that you seem to have become part of your little town. That was a lovely gesture on the part of the Mayor's wife.

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  21. Dogs can teach us many lessons! As I follow Wilf’s journey, I have learned grace, courage and how to enjoy every moment.

    His expression is priceless!

    Susan

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  22. wilf looks sooooo happy... we read with envy of a life of such beauty despite its horrid hiccups, thank you and maybe one day people will look up to the ridge admiring the tree oblivious to its rich story... loves and licks xxx

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  23. What a thoughtful gift from the Mayors wife. I am always a bit humbled by those small acts of kindness at moments when they are least expected.

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  24. Indeed it is a delightful gesture, how very kind! Wilf is a decidedly lucky dog for having chicken, potatoes for his dinner. Lucky, lucky dog! Seemed he enjoyed his nap as well. Beautiful pictures!

    Your pals in Canada,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker (who no longer is allowed raisins; thanks everyone who contacted me about this!) :)

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  25. Hi there Wilf!

    Oh wow! Pizza! That's really yuuuummmmy! Thank you for sharing the photos of your lovely church. It surely is a sweet and kind gesture of the mayor's wife.

    you sure had a lot of fun on the gravel. Happy roll roll!

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max

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  26. Wilf, just want to let you know that we love you and you are so photogenic!

    Love,
    Homer

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  27. Happee Birthday to Granny font. Wilf you are to cute!
    Benny & Lily

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  28. i'm always surprised that wilf finds the lumpy gravel comfortable for resting on -- to each their own! as everyone else has said, the first picture is priceless. :)
    that was very kind of the mayor's wife to bring you the sapling in remembrance of digby.

    the booker man and asa's mama

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  29. We agree: wonderful pictures of such a happy Wilf.

    A cedar of Lebanon! What a beau geste and a wonderful tribute for Digby - and Angus & the font. Mama hopes the village can salvage the church paintings. Those who forget the past and all that.

    Jed & Abby

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  30. Little gesture from the heart mean so much
    I'm glad that you have a community like this.
    WIlf is enjoying all his moments, each one more special because of theiw brevity..We smile with each tasty meal and joy he has
    we love him
    Asta sends smoochie kisses
    we send hugs
    Ami and George and ASTA

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  31. What a sweet gesture to bring the tree for you.

    Wilf looks quite comfortable on that gravel. I would think it'd feel just the opposite but he doesn't seem to mind it at all.

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