Near-blind pet owner Irena Slomnicka used her 90th birthday to say a big, big thank-you to a charity which helps care for her much-loved chihuahua Maja.
Instead of presents, widow Irena asked friends and relatives to make a donation to Blue Cross, which provides veterinary treatment for Maja at its hospital in Victoria, London.
Irena’s pals were happy to oblige and raised £430 for the national pet charity.
Since 2016 Blue Cross has also provided volunteer walkers who visit Irena at her home in Balham, south-west London, to take Maja for a stroll.
Irena, whose sight and mobility has declined, said: “It’s getting difficult for me to take Maja out for a walk but the Blue Cross has provided me with a number of kind people who visit.
“The charity also provides Maja with any medical treatment and make sure she stays healthy.
“Although I have friends and family who visit, Maja is my constant companion and brings such joy to my life and means I don’t get lonely. I don’t know where I would be without her.”
Irena’s daughter Barbara Clark, who delivered the £430 donation to the charity, said: “Blue Cross has helped my mother so much. She’s had dogs for 40 years and Maja means the world to her and is such a special companion.
“We can’t thank the team at Blue Cross enough for all their help and support.”
Irena was born in Poland and moved to England in 1947 after surviving a Siberian concentration camp.
Her husband of nearly 50 years died in 1998.
Nick Badham, manager at Blue Cross Victoria animal hospital, said: “We’re so touched by Irena’s kindness. It’s such a sweet and thoughtful idea.
“Blue Cross is totally reliant on public donations, so support like this goes a long way in helping the thousands of sick, injured and homeless pets that come through our doors every year.”
Blue Cross is a national charity which provides contribution-based veterinary treatment for owners who are in receipt of means-tested benefits.
It also arranges rehoming and a pet bereavement support service.
- To find out more, to make a donation or to see animals needing new homes at the charity’s centres across the country visit bluecross.org.uk
