This is Fruitycake. I’m going to get right into the story today. Because to me, short cuts and small talk are now banned around these parts.

Yesterday, my persons said that I needed a day all to me. There is an endless amount of work to be done here. But I’ve been very patient and supportive. That’s what I do. But I also like to have adventures. And the persons knew it was time.

So Boy Person got up early, made their mud in a cup and then we were on our way to a place called San Frutuosso in this Italy place. It is actually just a mile and a half from our rustico if you could get over the mountain.

But it’s too steep and so we had to go the long way, which meant about 6 miles. That’s not six miles flat. No. It’s up and and up and up some more. But I’ve wanted to go there since we got to this Italy place because it sounds like my name.

It was hard work to get there and so we had some snacks. Boy Person kept worrying about all the work he had to do on the bathroom and getting prepared for the bad rain we are supposed to get here this week. So he started talking about a short cut back to our house.

They looked at the maps and their phones and just about then, both of their phones died. But that didn’t stop them from keeping on with keeping on. Nope. After a 10 mile walk so far, we could see our house actually in the far distance. We had a choice. Keep on with this journey in Boy Person’s head. Or find our way back to the marked trail and go an extra 2 miles. You can guess what they decided.

We started trying to find ways down that mountain. I am pretty much like a goat, so I had no problem finding ways. Girl Person? She felt like it was in her best interests to take turns sliding on her butt and stopping herself with grabbing on to trees. Once or about ten times, those trees broke. Too much pizza I guess.

Boy Person took matters into his own hands and decided to go ahead and find a safer route. Girl Person and I anchored ourselves when we started hearing rocks falling. At first we thought it was by chance. Then, we saw them in the far distance. Cinghiale who seemed determined to hurl those rocks at us. I’m. Not. Kidding. How could I kid about stuff like this?

I got so mad about the pigs that when Boy Person got back with word of a safer route, I grabbed the stick Girl Person had decided to balance herself with and chomp it like I wanted to chomp those pigs.

At this point, all of us were laughing so hard that we forgot we were on the edge of a cliff. We gathered ourselves together and two hours later, we were safe. But not without ripped clothes and bruised egos.

I am sure there are many lessons to be learned here. But to me, it seems to be the biggest lesson is not to cram in a whole year of fun into one day.

Steady steps and careful planning win the race. And we need more breaks so we don’t have more broken bones. Maybe you need to find your route too to a balance in life. Let’s stop falling and start working together towards what our purposes are meant to be.

–Fruitycake

Our goal, as it always has been wherever we roam is to show the life you can give to a rescue animal and live YOUR best life at the same time. We aim to Make Rescues The Breed Of Choice worldwide and it’s been our work since 2011 to showcase animal rescues, shelters and organizations around the globe making a difference. https://tinyurl.com/2tdworldrescuework

Current and future plans include:

1.  Continuing to share daily animals in need on our social media channels.  Using our huge audience to share these urgent animals and stories helps to save lives. We worked for decades to grow our audience and to have the reach it does.  We prefer to leave space open for shelters and animals in lieu of sponsors. We can reach over 40 million people a day. That’s many opportunities to find homes for these animals.
2.  In order to physically help animals in need, we must first sustainably renovate our home and land.  We have a unique challenge due to difficult terrain, so progress has not been as quick as we would like. However, with our growing audience, we are continuing to secure monthly support in order to keep renovations going. Priority needs include a new roof, landscape clearing of property, path maintenance and expansion.
3. Many outbuildings provide a unique opportunity for studio filming. This will be a major part of our volunteer work, filming educational wildlife and rescue videos and interviews with rescues around the world. The 2 Traveling Dogs channels will provide exposure to rescue and sanctuary needs, education and entertainment. 
4. Planned events for rescue groups in this area of Italy at our property for adoption opportunities and also to hold monthly hikes for fosters and shelter dogs. Having fenced in areas for enrichment and housing fosters as needed.
5.  Providing space for wildlife conservation needed in the area while educating worldwide on specific needs on making environmental differences.
6.  Having space available for vets that need an area for wildlife protection and rehabilitation.
7.  Planting crops for animal rescues to use for food sources while educating on animal nutrition. 
8. Providing a place for rescue organizations and individuals to pick up needed supplies and donations. 
9. Planned travels to other areas of the world to visit in person rescues and shelters including fundraising efforts.

It is our goal to not only help animals in need but to help and encourage people as well. People are who help the animals and education is needed worldwide as a first line of defense for all creatures. 

We ask more than ever for YOUR support

Or Zelle rachael@2travelingdogs.com

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