Update From Girl Person: Kindness Never Needs An Excuse

This is Girl Person.

One thing I’ve been thinking about lately is this:

Kindness never needs an excuse.

Being rude, judgmental, or negative almost always does.

Have you ever noticed that?

People who choose kindness don’t usually have to explain themselves. They don’t need a paragraph about why they offered encouragement, why they showed compassion, or why they decided to help someone. They simply do it because that’s the kind of person they want to be.

But when someone tears another person down, or even an animal, there is almost always an explanation that follows.

“I’m just being honest.”

“Someone needed to say it.”

“I’m only telling the truth.”

“I’m just giving my opinion.”

Lately, I’ve seen that happen a lot.

Some people have judged us for selling the rustico. They don’t know the whole story. They haven’t walked the steep mountain every day. They haven’t lived through the physical challenges, the surgery, the uncertainty, or the difficult decisions that brought us here. Yet somehow they feel qualified to explain why we’re making the wrong choice.

Others question why we’ve changed things over the years, as if growing, adapting, and learning are somehow failures instead of signs that we’re still trying.

And then there are those who say trying to Make Rescues The Breed Of Choice is pointless. They say people will always buy dogs. That rescues will always be overlooked. That what we’ve spent years doing doesn’t matter.

If that were true, why have we seen so many people adopt because they followed our journey? Why have so many rescue stories begun with someone saying, “You changed how I see rescue dogs”?

Maybe we haven’t changed the whole world.

But we’ve changed someone’s world. That is all we aim to do. And we’ve been able to do that because of you.

And for every rescued dog sleeping safely tonight because one person chose adoption instead of shopping, I’d say the effort has been worth it.

Here’s what I’ve learned.

If someone has to spend more time explaining why they were unkind than they ever would explaining kindness, perhaps that’s something worth thinking about.

Life gives us enough opportunities to be discouraged without adding to someone else’s burden.

Kindness is free.

Encouragement is free.

Choosing to believe the best in someone is free.

And none of those things require an excuse.

So today, I hope we all choose the thing that never needs defending.

Kindness.

We have been trying our absolute hardest to sell the rustico the last couple weeks with posts, listings, and all the behind the scenes paperwork. We will continue to work hard this week thru numerous showings and hope! We thank you for your encouragement and prayers! Without you, we would have given up by now for sure. But we know how much you love us and Fruitycake and how you believe in us. We love you for that. It’s why I’m still here. That’s why I’m working so hard now despite not feeling well on this upcoming rescue project. I want this so bad! I’m impatient to start!

So thank you for continuing with us on this part of our life story and how we will turn this around to save more lives to come!!!!

Girl Person

P.S. Tomorrow is grocery day, and with another heatwave settling over Italy, we’re also trying to keep the fans and portable air conditioning fans running as much as we can for all of us—especially Fruitycake. If you’d like to help with groceries, daily necessities, or the added cost of fuel to stay safe during the extreme heat, we would be so grateful. Every donation, no matter the size, truly makes a difference.

www.tinyurl.com/2tdnecessities

Venmo travelingdogs2

Zelle rachael@2travelingdogs.com

Also, please don’t forget about Brickle’s Legacy Project. We’d love to include your rescue or beloved pet as part of the page honoring Brickle’s life and the incredible difference he continues to make. This is the last opportunity! Will be published July 29th! Reserve your spot at HERE.

It would mean so much to have you be part of the legacy that continues to encourage others to Make Rescues The Breed Of Choice.

Thank you for standing beside Girl Person, Boy Person, Fruitycake, and the mission we have dedicated our lives to. Your kindness proves every day that compassion is never wasted.