the essential
Amidst the photos of kittens, some very sad news appeared Tuesday on ARPA 47's social networks at the initiative of the president, Marie Dubos. Raymonde Guestin, discreet, tireless and dedicated volunteer, has devoted several decades of her life to animal protection. She died suddenly following a devastating illness at the age of 75.
The announcement came on Tuesday with these words: “Dear Raymonde, You were one of the pillars of ARPA 47. Now, you have joined all the animals you saved and certain people you helped. […] You thank all the people who knew you, who accompanied you, who loved you. […] Raymonde, you left no one indifferent […]”.
A few minutes after the publication of the tribute message, the first reactions were not long in coming: “My little lady, courage, I would have liked to share other moments with you”, “I bottle-fed my first kitten with you , a beautiful memory”, “If devotion to animals could be personified, it would be called Raymonde”.
Several decades of fighting for the animal cause
Marie Dubos remembers their meeting in 1999 and a story that lasted 26 years. “Raymonde has an extremely complicated life. Before joining us, she had spent numerous stays in psychiatric hospitals. Her encounter with animals was a rebirth for her. As soon as she acquired her first dog, Choupette, she became stabilized. With effective psychiatric monitoring, she was able to regain total autonomy. In return, Raymond in turn saved hundreds of our four-legged friends. She felt things with men and animals and notably participated in workshops for. people in a situation of disability” says Marie Dubos.
This atypical, if not unique, volunteer often repeated: “Now I am finally happy!”. It must be said that the other members of the association liked to spoil her to thank her for her daily dedication even if she never asked for recognition.
Raymonde died at home near the shelter animals. She leaves behind a couple of Chinese pigs Oscar and Alice, the dogs Tina Clochette, Mercedes, Rosa, numerous cats like Ébène and Grisou and even parrots including Zoé and Yoyo.
“Already during her trips to the hospital, the animals were waiting for her at the gate all day to celebrate her. When she returned for the last time, they sensed her departure and took turns with us to that she falls asleep peacefully. Since then, the animals have been terribly discreet…” concludes Marie Dubos.
A final tribute will be paid to him on Monday December 9, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at the Boé church without flowers or wreath in accordance with his last wishes. Donations will be entirely donated to ARPA 47 to continue defending the animal cause, its lifelong fight.
