by Shan Pillay
Pietermaritzburg - A notice in the funeral column of a local newspaper not only left raised eyebrows, it showed the dedicated love the Chetty family of Pietermaritzburg had for their 16-year-old Maltese cross, Flossy, who died on Thursday.
On Sunday, at Flossy’s funeral, Cliffy Chetty said: “We are devastated at his passing. For 16 long years we have enjoyed his companionship. He was a member of our family. All my relatives and friends just adored him.”
Flossy was given a proper burial, with Pastor Eugene Michael performing the last rites as he uttered: “God giveth and God taketh, dust unto dust.”
The family favourite was buried in his favourite spot beneath a large pine tree and in front of a chilli plant. His grave was almost 1m by 1m and about 60cm deep – and in went his blankets and favourite toys as a hushed crowd looked on in silence.
Chetty said that after the death of his father, Perumal Chetty, Flossy came into their lives and served as a companion to his mother Sintha, 74.
“He became very protective over my mother and followed her wherever she went. In 2004, a knife-wielding man tried to attack my mother one morning in the backyard and it was Flossy that scared the man with his barking and going for the culprit’s heels.”
The intruder beat a hasty retreat.
“Then, in 2012, we had a burglary when Flossy was all alone. He was booted around and abused. He became vicious and wouldn’t let a stranger near my mother.
“Flossy was a member of our family. He was very intelligent and therefore, my family and I decided to honour him and give him the burial he deserved,” said Sintha.
Flossy had cancer of the intestines and died on Thursday. Cliffy said he was cremated and Imbali Furnishers provided the family with a doggy-sized oak coffin.
