Update From Girl Person: Choosing What Matters Most

This is Girl Person.

It’s been a very strange few weeks. I can’t believe it, but today marks two weeks since I left that United States place to come back to this Italy place.

If I’m being fully transparent—and I always am—it was very hard to come back. I knew the physical hardships and struggles waiting for me here, and I had gotten used to not having them. Looking back, surgery seems like a breeze compared to these last few weeks emotionally. If it weren’t for Fruitycake and Boy Person, I most definitely would not have returned.

I know that sounds harsh to some people. It’s not because I don’t love this land and this place. You know that I do. But at some point, I have to be realistic. I can’t save a house and save animals. I can’t save a house and save myself. I can’t save a house and save my marriage. I can’t save a house and savor the days I have with Fruitycake.

Although I do not consider moving here a mistake, the truth is we didn’t fully understand the struggles we would face. We could keep going. No one is forcing us to stop. We could finish this restoration. But we couldn’t do anything else. And that “everything else” is my new rescue project in the States and continuing the legacy of Brickle and Digby. No house, no matter where it is, is more important than that.

I get a lot of advice lately about what we should do going forward. But the fact is, we can’t move forward—and we can’t go back—without selling this house. Quickly.

No, it was not a one-euro house. I’m not sure why some people think that. This is a prime location in Italy, and we did have to take out a loan. It has over ten acres of land. We need to pay that back with the sale of the house and, hopefully, have enough left to either find a place to live or rent for a while.

First comes selling the house. Then comes going back to the States. Then… rescue project, here we come.

As I said last week, I have to be vague about the new rescue project because of its technical nature. But oh, it’s going to be good. I can’t help but think all of this was a school of sorts—giving us the experience we needed to help change the future for animals.

One more thing. Your Girl Person is selling this house herself. After almost being taken advantage of and ignored by agents, I decided to see if I could do it on my own. It wasn’t easy with the language and the laws, but I navigated it.

And we have our very first showing on Monday!

I also get to choose who I believe will care for and preserve this place in the best possible way. That is a privilege I don’t take lightly.

So now… now is the time for prayers, good vibes, crossed fingers, and every hopeful thought you can send.

The heatwave in Italy continues. It’s hard to even breathe some days. We also have an immigration appointment in Genoa on Thursday. Hopefully, this is the end of paperwork we’ve been fighting with for years.

We’re hoping to go into the city on Wednesday and stay for two nights so I can give my body a physical break and enjoy some much-needed air conditioning for a little while. It’s going to be a busy week.

Through it all, our blogs, videos, and daily content continue to shine a light on animal rescue, even while we’re living through one of the biggest transitions of our lives.

Thank you for staying with us through it all. I am deeply grateful. Truly.

In life, by the time we think we’ve figured everything out, it’s often too late. Well… I’m not letting that happen now. I still have so much more to do for animals. That’s my life’s purpose.

I love you.

Rachael

P.S. If you’d like to help us through this transition, we’re still in need of support for groceries, everyday necessities, and our trip to Genoa this week for my immigration appointment and two nights where I can recover in air conditioning during this intense heatwave. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us keep creating daily rescue content while we work toward selling the house and beginning this next chapter for the animals. Thank you for believing in us.

www.tinyurl.com/2tdnecessities

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Zelle Rachael@2travelingdogs.com