Olga and Ivan Antonyuk and their two cats, Bella and Simba, arrived in St. John’s after fleeing Ukraine. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
It turns out that Bella, a 13-year-old fluffy, fluffy cat with kidney disease who never left her apartment in Ukraine last week, is a small, highly supported traveler.
Her supply of special food — 120 individual packs of wet food, plus a heavy bag of dry food — took up most of her owner’s luggage.
Bella’s age and health prevented her from taking the anxiety medication that her feline brother Simba was taking before the long trip.
Bella and Simba were two of 11 animals – eight cats and three dogs – on a flight from Poland to St. John’s last weeka charter organized by the Newfoundland and Labrador governments for 166 people who fled Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in February.
Bella, a 13-year-old cat with kidney disease, is on a strict diet, and because her owners didn’t know if they could find her food in St. John’s, they filled their suitcases with it. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
Before the war, the owners of Bella and Simba, Olga and Ivan Antonyuk, ran their own real estate company.
“We had a good job and good money, but after the war started, our business stopped,” Olga Antonyuk told CBC News.
Bella and Simba are enjoying lounging on their new fleece blanket provided by the Canadian Red Cross when they arrive at St. John’s International Airport. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
Before catching flights to St. John’s, Olga and Ivan traveled from Ukraine to Poland – stressful enough driving without having to stop from time to time to use the trash.
The couple decided to start fresh in Canada and chose Newfoundland and Labrador because of its natural environment and “slow life”.
Charter flight and assistance from Newfoundland and Labrador Bureau for Support of the Ukrainian Family a surprising bonus was provided.
Simba, who has a relaxed paw and was once a stray cat, enjoys flying from Poland to Canada. (Submitted by Olga Antonyuk)
“I think it’s so crazy. “The free charter flight, the free hotel here, the free food here for us and the free food for my cats,” she said.
“I [can’t] describe this kindness to us and to our pets. “
Bella and Simba sat on their owner’s lap to take off and spent much of the eight-hour flight in their carriers. They were tired when they arrived, but were shocked by the “meeting of celebrities” at St. John’s International Airport, Antonyuk said.
“We met a lot of people with banners, flags and everything. Everyone will be happy to look for us.”
“I was shocked, really, but the shock [is] for goodness sake. “
Olga and Ivan Antonyuk hold Bella and Simba during the flight to St. John’s. (Submitted by Olga Antonyuk)
Emotional meeting at the airport
Margo, a small black-and-white cat, sat a few rows from Bella and Simba on the charter flight.
Margo’s owner, Hana Suhinets, made the trip – which included a train trip, a bus trip and finally a plane trip – with Margo and her medium-sized dog Dea. Her husband and their older dog are still in Ukraine.
Hannah Suheinets keeps her cat Margo in their cozy bedroom in Conception Bay South. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
When deciding which part of Canada to move to, Suhinets, a dog lover, settled in Newfoundland and Labrador in part because the name of the province is named after two breeds of dogs.
She posted a photo of herself and her cat on social media, asking for accommodation in Newfoundland and Labrador. Lori Best responded by offering her a room at her house in the Concept Bay South, west of St. John’s.
“I decided in a split second that I would contact her,” Best said.
“She looked so cute with her cat. So I decided and then I went home and told my family that I had invited someone to come and live with us, “said Best.
Their meeting at the airport was emotional.
Sukhinets took a train from Ukraine with Margo and her dog Dea. In Poland, she boarded a bus to reach the charter flight to St. John’s. (Submitted by Hana Suhinets)
“When I saw the big dog carrier, I realized it was her and I started running towards her, hugged her tightly and cried,” said Best.
“It was amazing. I just had no words and I cried, “Suhinets said.
“The man who never met me just offered me a home and offered to be part of her family. So I still can’t believe it.”
Suhinets and Dea are enjoying the fresh air and beaches at their new home in Conception Bay South. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
Leaving your pets was not an option.
“Many people at the beginning of the war left their pets and they died,” Suhinets said.
“[War] makes you decide which things are really important. “When you hear these sounds, like rockets are flying over the city, you are trying to be together at this moment,” she said.
“No clothes, no documents, nothing [matters]. Except lives. “
Sukhinets is grateful for the help she has received and is optimistic about her future, but worries about her husband and the rest of her family in Ukraine saying goodbye to the station.
“It was difficult because I don’t know if I will see them again.”
Lori Best, her dog Chloe, Suhinets and Dea become friends. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
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