Perspective

It's a new year and a new opportunity to raise funds and awareness for animals in need! This year, our resolution is to always maintain perspective. Allow me to explain what I mean by that.

The last post on this blog was from early February 2015. Almost a year ago. Around that time I got discouraged at the rate that AAI was making progress and felt my efforts were making so much less of a difference than the previous year. I lost perspective. And yet at year close, AAI stats spoke loud and clear - even during the very slow 2015 we had helped 302 animals in need! That's almost one a day! Not bad for a tiny volunteer-run organization! And all thanks to our donors. Perspective re-established.

I also recently chose to make a donation which touched me in a particularly unique way (aside from volunteering my time for AAI, I also volunteer for other causes and make modest donations, given my means, to animal charities). The donation was a modest amount I contributed to the very small volunteer-run rescue group AAI helps in Romania - RescueMe Romania. I chose to give money for the building of better shelter for 4 sweet dogs who live at a Romanian cemetery. You see, the rescue group is badly short of foster homes. Some of the animals they help, the rescuers visit at their pre-existing locations and provide with food, medication, and basic living conditions. The cemetery keepers were kind enough (not always the case) to allow the rescuers to visit and help the dogs and to bring them small houses filled with straw. Unfortunately, the roofs of the dog houses were not keeping the water out during heavy rain so a sturdier roof was needed. And so I helped with the purchase of materials. The end result is below.

Nothing very complex but enough to help the pups survive. And this the rescuers counted as success, as a potentially life- and health-preserving improvement. Until adoptive homes are found. Once again came time for perspective. I may have little to give. The end result of my contribution may not be glamorous at all. But it is the source of comfort and safety when those are desperately needed.

You too can make a difference. Donating a small amount can have a big impact. Join us this year in maintaining perspective about the countless ways in which each of us can better the world. And visit our Facebook page for the next story of an animal in need: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAidIntl/