PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY WILLIAMSON Enlarge Image

Clockwise from top left: Elsie Hrynick, Pauline Peto, Louisa Best, Doris Birt, Lillian Kreger, Marjorie Abbott, Marjorie Ibbott, Bill McDonald and Cassidy the dog. Not pictured: Margaret Marshall.

A group of nimble-fingered seniors who knit blankets for cats and dogs from the Winnipeg Humane Society had a special visit from one grateful four-legged recipient recently.

A dedicated group of ladies living at The Waverley retirement residence on Wilkes Avenue meets every Monday to knit blankets for cages and kennels at the Fort Garry-based shelter.

To thank them for their efforts in helping keep the shelter’s guests warm and cozy this winter, Humane Society CEO Bill McDonald and canine friend Cassidy recently stopped by the assisted-living complex for a visit.

The meeting sparked excitement within the group as members reflected on their contribution to the cause.

"I always choose bright colours for the blankets, because someone told me cats like lots of colour," said Marjorie Abbott, who has led the group for the past decade since she moved into The Waverley in 2001.

Abbott noted the group started out making baby blankets, but switched direction following a suggestion from a friend.

"A friend suggested I should knit cat blankets out of all the leftover bits of yarn. We’ve been making cat blankets ever since and we’ve even been to the shelter to visit the cats," she said.

For group member Pauline Peto, the desire to help animals is in her blood.

"My grandfather was an animal-lover, too. He was a veterinarian in the twenties and thirties and even took care of the Eaton’s (delivery) horses," Peto said.

"But for the Humane Society at the time, he would not charge a penny for his services. I guess that’s why I like to help out, too."

Knitter Elsie Hrynick makes the blankets because she doesn’t have the space for wholesale adoptions.

"I wish I could adopt every one of them, but I can’t. So I help in other ways instead," Hrynick said.

Katie Hartle, a lifestyle consultant at The Waverley, said the group demonstrates what can be achieved with some dogged determination.

"A lot of seniors start to face a lot of challenges and obstacles as they age, so it’s inspiring to see an individual refuse to let that obstacle get in the way of what they love to do," said Hartle, noting one knitter in the group is "almost blind."

"We have always believed that being a senior shouldn’t hold you back from being an active member of the community," added Hartle, who lives in St. Francois Xavier.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com