A “living funeral” to be held for Aussie rescue dog Grover McBane whose story became a bestseller
AUSSIE rescue dog Grover McBane changed lives after his story became an international bestseller. Now fans are expected to attend a public “living funeral” for the famous dog who is dying.
Pets
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IT’S not often the announcement of an impending death of a beloved pet elicits an international outpouring of grief and support and the hosting of a public party for friends, fans and wellwishers.
But then there is only one Grover McBane — Border Collie and former rescue dog whose real-life exploits and adventures were the basis of a top-selling international children’s book series, leading to a national signing tour, TV, print and radio slots and the raising of thousands of dollars for charity.
His regular Instagram posts on his own account clearly touched many hearts when last week his sudden social media announcement of a terminal tumour on his spine diagnosis attracted hundreds of emotional posts and likes from fans, particularly parents asking how they could break the news to their children who have long followed his canine capers.
Such was the reaction Grover’s owners are to today hold a public appearance party for fans wanting to make their final farewell pats and hugs.
Just how many of Grover’s more than 2800 Instagram and Facebook followers, including celebrities and politicians, will attend the event at a cafe in Sydney’s inner west is unknown but managers at the popular spot have extra staff on standby to cater for the ‘living funeral’.
“It’s been phenomenal, the response online and the private messages we got from people, just saying how he’s affected them, things I’ve never known,” Owner and author Claire Garth said yesterday.
“When we’d take him to schools you’d see the reaction but the number of adults messaging saying they’ve got something from his story, the effect he has had on them and his resilience they take into their own life from reading his story have helped them get on. These are strangers.
“There’s been messages from everywhere, New York, Chicago, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, places where the books are not even available but where people in Australia have liked it and passed it on as a quintessential Australian story battler.”
Ms Garth took Grover in and together with illustrator Johannes Leak recorded the pooch’s true story in a series of children’s book from the day in 2014 he had been chained around the neck and starving in a backyard before being rescued by The Sydney Dogs and Cats home and starting life anew with Claire and her family including now 11-month-old Ivy.
She said 11-year-old Grover was not in pain but would have to be put down as quality of life diminished but not before he goes through his “bucket list” of wishes which have so far included cheese pizza, staying at a 5-star dog hotel in Canberra, a box of 216 tennis balls to roll in and a farewell party.
“The brilliant thing about dogs is they don’t know and live life everyday like it’s their last so he’s a bit weaker now and his balance is gone but his spirit is as strong as ever,” she said.
Former NSW Premier Mike Baird sent Grover a personal message through his social media account.
“He’s had a profound effect on so many people,” she said.