Mia is a woman who simply took care of animals (6 photos)

Many innovative ideas in their infancy perceived by the public with hostility. Say, lived without it, nothing reinvent the wheel. But this woman ignored the criticism and I just did what my soul aspired to.





Animals need human help, no matter what. time and era. And Maria Deakin (1870-1951) lived in a particularly difficult period, found two wars. It would seem that here with the problems of people need to cope. But, apparently, care was the very essence of a woman. Firstly, she was born in the family of a priest, and, secondly, she was the eldest out of eight children. In her youth, Mia, as her family called her, taught singing. She got married and opened a small recording studio. In a word, led ordinary life.



Maria Deakin

And so she would have lived in the best traditions of a pious wife Victorian England, but after World War I, the world was faced with a mass problems. And not only people suffered, but also animals. And Mia decided as forces to help both those and others - in 1917 she opened a free clinic for animals. Volunteers worked in it, and the People's Dispensary for the Sick animals became an island of hope for those who did not have the means, but had desire to help your pet.

Of course, it was not without criticism. Particularly resented representatives of the Royal Veterinary College: this is at least it is very dangerous to entrust the work to amateurs. What outraged critics received a laconic answer: “Do the same, but it’s better if you are also concerned about this problem. There were no applicants. And a reformer calmly continued to work by opening a mobile veterinary unit, and then founded a children's club specializing in the protection of animals.

Commander Deakin





Maria Deakin Medal

Yes, Maria received the title of Commander of the Order of the British empire. But the animal rights activist thought they could show heroism, just like people. And they deserve awards too. Deakin established a special British military award for animals - sort of like the Victoria Cross.

For six years, from 1943 to 1946, the medal was found their humble heroes 54 times. Among the awarded were doves, delivering important reports, dogs looking for under the rubble after airstrikes of people, horses, who continued, despite the crazy situation, your routine work.

Wordless Heroes



Dove Sher Ami

Many birds didn't even have a name, only a number. It is clear that pigeons were a kind of expendable item. But these, at first glance, not too smart birds showed such miracles of heroism that it is quite deservedly received their awards.

So, a dove named Dutch coast, located on aboard a plane shot down in 1942, flew more than eight hours and traveled over 460 kilometers to deliver the coordinates crew location. Dove Mary of Exeter repeatedly received wounds. She was attacked by specially trained for the destruction of mail doves, hawks, bullets were taken out of the body. But the bird survived and continued do what you have been taught.



Salty and Rosella

Dog Rip, discovered after another airstrike in London in 1940, rescued from the rubble more than a hundred people. Awards was Apollo, who worked on the territory of the World Trade Center, was also awarded September 11, 2001. Guide dogs Salti and Rosella on the same day rescued their owners and took them from the 71st and 78th floors, delivering them to a safe location, to the subway.



Simon the Cat

Strengthening morale and getting rid of rats the ship's cat Simon was engaged, whom a young sailor secretly carried to the ship. But he not only became a universal favorite and talisman, but also not left the people for whom he believed he was responsible, after wounded and continued to serve.

Times have changed, but awards continue to this day. Maria Deakin passed away in 1951 at the age of 80. And her life's work whose main principle was not to allow animals to suffer, continues to live to this day.