This is Girl Person. Today, I knew what I needed to write about soon after I woke up. Mornings are very hard for me lately. The heat is a threatening force as the sun comes over the mountain. I know that I’ll be fighting through the day with heat, dirt and trying to sell this rustico in a new way, in addition to my daily duties of networking animals and keeping all our social channels on track to save a life. It’s a lot. And every day I feel like I’m weaker and weaker. Sometimes I think I’m even too weak to leave this place, if that makes sense.

But it’s not all gloom and doom. There are the birds singing and the cicadas too, even though they are less vocal. I think the heat is even too much for them. The water is beautiful at the sea. I know the blessings, and I was trying today. But then I got another onslaught of messages from people upset about the rustico sale for some reason. Terrible messages over and over. And I’m just realizing social media has changed drastically lately. Or is it people have changed? Why have we become so unkind? A comment or message can be deleted or blocked. But once it has been seen, the damage has been done. It is time to stop this. It is time to recognize we MUST not only care for animals. We must care for people too! It’s time to care for animals and people at the same time. Now.

This is what I needed to say today. All of us, me included, have seen something we feel compelled to comment on. To make our point. But ask yourself why you are commenting or sending a message. Would you say that to them in front of their pet? Would you belittle their pet while they were there? Why is it so hard to remember the person you’re trying to hurt is needed by someone…by their pet? What if your words are that last thing that throws them over the edge? Is that ok with you? Who will they leave behind? It’s that serious, folks.

One thing we can do today is be kind. And if not typing hurtful words is all you can do, that’s amazing. Remember, it’s ok to be kind to animals and people. People and animals. Perhaps if people felt loved, they would be valued enough to show love and place value on animals. And maybe, that’s the start of not needing animal rescue. That’s my dream. To not even have a need for shelters or rescues in the first place. And the first place is to start with kindness.

Once again, the pain in my heart is compelling me to voice it to someone that may need this today. I love you all. My work isn’t over yet. And I will not let anyone stop me today. I will try to be strong. But it doesn’t mean I am unbreakable. I’m struggling, and this time will tell the future of our mission. We need your support more than ever.

Girl Person

P.S. EVERY dollar today matters. If our words and our work have ever meant something to you, we could really use you beside us right now. Support has been very low, while the heat, daily necessities and the costs of simply keeping everything going have not slowed down. Every donation helps us keep the fans running, put food on the table, care for Fruitycake and continue the animal rescue work that has been our mission for so many years. And if you can’t donate, your kind words, prayers, shares and encouragement matter too. Right now, kindness—in every form—is something we desperately need.

Necessities: www.tinyurl.com/2tdnecessities
Venmo: @travelingdogs2
Patreon: www.patreon.com/2travelingdogsrescue