Friends who have left I. Reklaitytė recall: “Sometimes animals were more important to her than her own health” | Names

Rūta Mikelkevičiūtė’s animal handlers are also grateful for Ata

A woman’s friend, Rūta Mikelkevičiūtė, a television presenter who has known her for more than ten years. 15 minutes He said Ilona had the same attitude towards homeless animals. Furthermore, six years ago, the dog Atas, taken from the SOS Animal Shelter, settled in Rūta’s house.

“It just came to our knowledge then. We chose Ata just because of the photo. I remember Ilona always describing to future dog owners what the character of the pet would be if it fit into the family.

This is very important information if a person is protecting a non-newborn dog. The knowledge of the character and the ability to reconcile which family he will belong to was extremely important. He had it, “Rūta recalled.

Sometimes he would talk to Ilona about more than animal issues. Those who called or answered messages sometimes even spoke openly about their families, loved ones, and the people around them. The women also spoke about the oncological disease, with which I. Reklaitytė struggled for several years.

Much more important to her were the homeless pets, their well-being and their health, they said, somehow.

“When he got cancer, we even argued a bit. I asked him when he would rest, would he come home from the animal shelter which by the way is very cold. I said that I can’t take care of dogs just because it’s bad for my health. But homeless pets, their well-being and health were much more important to her, they said, somehow, ”R. Mikelkevičiūtė recalled Ilona’s devotion to animals.

Sometimes Ruth would visit her friend. As soon as he arrived at the shelter, he saw her wrapped in animal hair, with stains on the dog’s paws left on her clothes.

“There were no cute puppies from the fancy house with ribbons in the shelter. Blind dogs that barely moved were often crippled there. And Ilona was a man who truly loved life. Giving and loving an ugly, unhealthy and unnecessary animal so much… Ilona said she doesn’t need anything else, ”said Rūta.

He admitted that he had not met many people who, even in such conditions, would trust with a smile, always spreading good energies. That’s how I was. Reklaitytė.

“Ilona had some kind of relationship with animals as if she were human. I regret not having planned to go with her some time ago. This death is completely unexpected, it brought me out of cancer”, the television presenter did not hide her sadness.

Ilona’s partner: “She saw herself as the savior from all adversity”

Nadia Makusheva, who worked with Ilona at SOS Animals, speaks warmly about her former colleague. She will remain in your memories as a bright and constantly smiling person.

“Ilona has always been willing to help the weakest. Be it a human or an animal. She gave herself completely. She was determined and willing to help anyone, at any time of the day when it was hot or cold outside.

He could give up all work, family affairs, just to save the animal in trouble. Sometimes he didn’t even appreciate her strength and possibilities. She saw herself as the savior from all adversity, ”recalls Nadia.

During all those years, Nadia and Ilona did a lot: together they saved countless animals. And in early February, he was going to celebrate his 13th birthday at the shelter. “We would be celebrating, but practically the same day that she left,” Makusheva lamented.

You could give up all work, family matters, just to save the animal in trouble.

For many animal lovers, the death of a woman was like lightning in a clear sky. However, colleagues who worked for SOS Animals have known about Ilona’s disease for a long time. Unfortunately, last month I.Reklaitytė’s condition deteriorated further.

“Those who did not know Ilona or did not see her for all those years reacted unexpectedly. Clearly, it cannot be said to be completely unexpected because she has been ill for years. Only the deterioration was sudden. The man has weakened in the last month, “says N. Makusheva.

The last time Nadia spoke to a friend was a week ago. This time, however, they were not talking about work: “The conversations were brief and personal. You have not been in the shelter for the past two weeks; has been to the hospital. It’s just that the disease has won. “

After the woman’s death, Nadia will take over the activities of the “SOS Animals”.

“It just came to our attention then. I feel responsible for all the remaining animals, for all the activities, for the work that we do together. And here it is not even a question of whether it is difficult or successful. We just continue with the work that we have started. ”, He assured.

A beautiful farewell from Ilona Reklaityte was also on her facebook account “SOS animals”:

“Dear friends, we lost Ilona tonight.

To everyone who knew the director of SOS Animals personally, she was simply Ilona, ​​Ilonytė. A brave little warrior who has fought on the animal welfare front for several years, despite the worries, frustrations, hardships he faces here, and in recent years, even the pain caused by a serious illness.

Ilona always dreamed of organizing aid for animals, even when most of us did not even know there was such a problem that it was of such magnitude … “SOS animals” would not have happened without it. I had to work hard, and the manager’s duties included daily cleaning and taking calls most of the day. When the shelter’s infrastructure was still minimal, in cold winters I spent the night in a cart on a sofa, besieged by pavilions for fear of not turning off the stove or a fire.

He brought many cats and dogs to the shelter, taking care of their home, that others would consider unviable: limbs, old, blind … For many of us, the SOS yard became the last refuge, but nobody was so happy. like Ilona when an old man found a real house. And no one was so grieved when they left life. He held on to everyone, called the wards his children, “Well, children, how do you live?” And they jump, almost collapsing, rejoicing.

We will miss Ilona endlessly. They will also be lacking in the field of animal care in Lithuania. Above all, you will miss your family, your children. Nick, Eve, wait.

We can’t invite you to say goodbye to Ilona Reklaityte, but we do invite you to light a candle at least at home. When we know, let us know which graveyard you will be sleeping in.

Ilona believed that death did not end there. You will definitely find her in rainbow country, because love never disappears without a trace. “