Meg Roberts found herself searching tirelessly for an aged care community in Geelong that allowed her to bring her pets in with her.
So she was thrilled when Uniting AgeWell Kalkee Community Nangatta warmly invited her to bring in her handbag-sized pup Tilly and a cat when she moved in two months ago. The only problem was that Meg has two giant-sized cats – Basilbrush and Vixen.
“I didn’t know what to do,” says Meg. “How could I choose which one of my fur babies to take in with me and which one to leave behind?”
But she had not factored in the kindness which underpins everything that Uniting AgeWell stands for. Senior Care Manager Sarita Chowdhury took one look at the highly unusual situation and made an exception to the rule.
“She told me both my cats could stay!” says the 82-year-old, who admits she would walk over hot coals for Sarita. “How wonderfully understanding is that?”
Now Meg’s room has been specially adapted for her little charges. There’s a special secure flap in the door allowing her pets to go outside, a cat-scratching stand, a dog basket and an automatic food and water dispenser for her pets.
As Sarita wisely predicted, over the last eight weeks little Tilly has wagged her way into all the residents’ hearts, and once the cats have adjusted to their new environment, she has no doubt they will do the same. In their usual aloof cat way, of course!
“You see, this isn’t a facility – it’s a home. And homes are warm, friendly places where pets bring smiles and cuddles with them,” explains Sarita. She’s right. It’s common to witness residents sitting in the lounge or in the beautiful garden, leaning over to pat Tilly as she trots past.
Now Meg and Tilly have become great friends with another resident Pat, who brought her adorable hearing dog Lulu, in with her. Meg and Pat chat over a cuppa while the dogs play together. Both have also bought mobility scooters and are planning on zooming down the road to the nearby shopping strip to enjoy the three R’s – rest, relaxation and retail therapy!
Meg, who is now a very proud great-great-grandmother, has discovered another passion in her life. Art. “The lady who comes in to teach us painting says I am very creative,” she says. “I’m pretty excited about learning more about art.”
Meg can’t praise the staff at Kalkee Community Nangatta enough. “Everyone is so kind. It’s difficult to describe the level of care here! This is a pretty special place, I can tell you. Tilly, Vixen and Basilbrush think so too!”