SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

She was diagnosed with breast cancer and the seven years of treatment took an increasing toll. When I knocked on the door of her small studio apartment in the block, a frail and pale, but still smiling Anita answered. At her feet, her faithful companion Taj - a little brown-eyed curly-haired boy - was fidgeting restlessly.

I was struck by how alone she was. "My daughter is coming after work," she said quietly. "But we are alone most of the day." The apartment was silent, broken only by the crackling of the radiators and Tao's occasional bark. I offered her to come home with me, so I could take care of her and she wouldn't be alone. "And, of course, Tai can come too," I assured her. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude.

When she came to me, Taj was confused and I was worried. I had cats that Taj couldn't tolerate. He was opinionated, stubborn, spoilt, but devoted to his owner. Anita begged me quietly, almost in a whisper, "When I am gone, please take Taj in. I will call my brother now to stay with him for a few days." I replied that she must not give in, that she would pick herself up. But she was persistent. "Well, if I don't," I told her, "I'll ask Sister Marjana. She loves dogs and animals in general. She might want to take care of them."

A few days later, Anita's brother Taja came to see my sister again. I warned her that he could be problematic. But what happened sounds like a fairy tale.

When Marjana crossed the threshold, Taj rushed towards her as if he had known her all his life. He didn't bark, he didn't growl, he didn't run away. He crawled to her, licked her hands, snuggled up to her and hugged her with his two front paws. His sister's eyes grew wide with emotion. "He chose me," she said softly. And indeed he had. Before she could say anything, she lifted him in her arms. He drove away with her. Happy, familiar - as if he had always been hers.

Three days later, Anita was admitted to hospital. Her condition deteriorated rapidly. She died in the night; quietly and surrounded by love and peace. I knew she had gone peacefully, because her Taj was not alone. He had chosen a new heart that accepted him unconditionally.

Taj still lives with my sister. He is happy, spoiled and loved. Marjana says she can't imagine life without him. And when I stroke him, I feel as if I feel part of Anita's warmth; as if Anita and Taj have left a little piece of themselves with us.

Taj chose Marjana and I think Anita sent him to her.

                                                                                         Justina Strašek, 30.6. 2025