‘ Help and care for dogs and their owners’

National Lottery funded Rosie’s Trust is helping best friends stay together

JANET with Susan ( right) and Rilla

Janet’s beloved Chihuahua, Rilla, became ill and had to be rushed to

Rosie’s Trust saved the day.

“Rilla was in intensive care for five days,” says Janet, 70. “The trauma of it had an effect on my heart and I took a turn for the worse. They looked after her until I was well again.”

Rosie’s Trust supports dog owners like Janet who might be struggling to take care of their pets due to illness, disability or cancer treatment - but want to stay together.

The trust now sends volunteers to walk Rilla through the week, so the little dog gets exercise.

“I have osteoarthritis in my knees and shoulder so I’m not able to walk Rilla,” explains Janet.

One of those volunteers is Susan McKibbin, 63 ( above), who has helped out at the Northern Ireland charity for the past five years.

“I’m retired and have some time on my hands,” says Susan. “We did have a dog but when it passed away my husband and I decided we wanted to travel so we couldn’t take on another one. Rosie’s Trust is such a brilliant idea. You go in because you like dogs, the dog gets a walk, and the beneficiary and their dog get to stay together.”

As well as dog walking, Susan fosters pets. “The first little dog I fostered, it’s owner had cancer appointments and couldn’t leave it alone for hours. I started taking the dog for half a day and then for a week.”

Volunteers also look out for the elderly owners. “When I pop by to take Rilla out, it gives Janet a bit of social interaction,” says Susan. “I think she’s been lonely but the volunteers help alleviate that – they even phoned during lockdown to check on her and have a chat.”

Janet agrees: “Rosie’s Trust is brilliant. Rilla wouldn’t get out for walks without them and they’ve given me peace of mind she’ll be looked after if anything happened.”

By playing The National Lottery you’re helping to raise £ 30million* every week for great causes like Rosie’s Trust.

‘ They’ve given me peace of mind. Rilla wouldn’t get out for walks otherwise’