Loyal, loving companion

FOR a pound dog, Montee was worth his weight in gold.
The silver poodle was found in the Hahndorf Animal shelter in South Australia by the Lions Hearing Dogs Association and was subsequently trained and given to Jean Heriot in 1998 to be her hearing and companion dog.
Montee was truly the gift that kept on giving.
For the past 11 years he has been with Jean constantly and has enabled the wheelchair-bound lady to live more independently, use public transport with confidence and has been a catalyst for conversation with a wealth of people in all kinds of situations.
Last year the Berwick Youth Choir held a Founder’s Day Concert in St Margaret’s auditorium.
One of its purposes was to raise money for Montee’s veterinary expenses as he had developed Cushing’s disease.
Dr Jeremy Jones from Berwick Village Animal Care, who kept Montee in good health throughout his service to Jean, helped to farewell this wonderful little dog on Wednesday 30 March.
It was a privilege for Jean to share his passing surrounded by the love of Judy and Michael Sewell with Montee safely tucked in her arms.
He has been a friend to many children including those from The Berwick Youth Choir, St Margaret’s School, as well as Jean’s grandchildren who have known him all of their lives.
He shared fun with the members of Muscular Dystrophy Australia and the myositis group and loved running on the beach at Phillip Island.
He enjoyed going to church at St Andrews Uniting Church in Berwick where he slept through a great deal of the service but was always ready to leave church for the refreshments which followed.
He was welcomed at Government House and some of the activities of the Order of Australia Group.
When he ate a piece out of Dr Judith Bailey’s skirt when she wasn’t looking it was cause for hilarity and his visit to a dying friend included eating the corner of her pristine bed sheet.
This funny, loyal and loving dog touched many lives and Jean would like to thank everyone who enriched his life.
A great companion and a wonderful servant? It’s a Montee.