Actress for Net.hr about unconditional love and better health with favorite furry family members

Actress Sanja Vejnović has welcomed a new member into her family, a small Međimurje dog named Đurđa, who she recently introduced to her followers on Instagram. The dog belongs to her son, Andrea Mećava, who lives and works in London but spends his summers in Croatia. Now, Đurđa is staying with Sanja in Zagreb, joining Tihana, the eleven-year-old Dalmatian owned by Sanja and her husband, film director Goran Mećava, and Đuro, the puppy of their daughter Marta. From childhood, Sanja has been a great lover of dogs, and she shared insights about how Tihana came to live with them, whether she ever took the dog to the set of RTL's series Divlje pčele, and why having a pet is excellent for everyone’s health. The decision to bring Đurđa into the household was made after Andrea brought the dog to London, but during the summer months, Đurđa stays with Sanja and the rest of the family in Zagreb. Đurđa is a Međimurje dog, a newly recognized domestic breed native to the Međimurje region. According to the breeder, this is the first Međimurje dog in England. Sanja already had Tihana, who is gentle and gets along well with all the other pets in the house. Đurđa, however, is still young and in the puppy phase, which can make her more energetic and challenging to manage. Despite this, Tihana remains calm and patient, often allowing Đurđa to playfully interact with her. Tihana entered Sanja’s home nearly simultaneously with Đuro, the Međimurje puppy belonging to Marta. At the time, Tihana was six years old and had lost her previous owner, who was a Dalmatian breeder. Tihana was once a champion in competitions, but Sanja and her family decided not to continue with the show circuit. They found Tihana through an advertisement and went to pick her up from the yard, where they met Đuro, who was just two months old. Marta immediately fell in love with him, and since then, the two dogs have become close companions, behaving like siblings. Sanja has always lived among dogs, having grown up with a male Dalmatian named Artur and later owning a pointer. She understands that each dog has its unique personality and requires different handling. Artur, for example, was aggressive towards other male dogs and needed frequent training sessions. Tihana, by contrast, is very gentle and avoids conflict, even letting Đurđa playfully bite her head. Đuro, the Međimurje puppy, is intelligent and quick to learn. He has mastered tricks such as turning lights on and off, thanks to Marta’s patience and dedication to training. Đurđa, however, is quite shy and fears people, bicycles, and loud noises, which is why she attends training sessions in London to overcome these anxieties. Spending time with Tihana and Đuro helps her gain confidence gradually. Owning a dog comes with significant responsibilities, including regular walks three times a day. When Sanja is busy filming Divlje pčele, her husband takes care of the dogs’ routine. This means walking Tihana for about an hour each time, ensuring she receives proper exercise and attention. Sanja emphasizes that caring for a dog demands discipline and responsibility. Some people believe a dog is merely a companion for affection and comfort, but she notes that the commitment can become overwhelming over time. Dogs offer unconditional love, regardless of a person’s behavior, and this bond can be deeply rewarding. Sanja continues to enjoy the presence of her pets, highlighting the positive impact they have on both mental and physical well-being. Walking with a dog provides exercise and a sense of purpose, while the companionship offered by animals fosters emotional stability. As Đurđa grows and becomes more confident, the family looks forward to seeing how she integrates further into their daily life.