24/04/2026
I was busy cleaning my gallery on my phone this morning and for some odd reason I took a screenshot of this pic months ago.
Today these words really resonated with me. I want to leave everything I do and go where no one can find me, where it is sunny and stand barefoot on green grass and just forget about everything and everyone. Be in the moment... if that makes sense.
Being in rescue really messes with you, physically, mentally and spiritually. You meet amazing individuals and you face monsters in disguise.
You have trust issues and doubting every individual crossing your path. Yet at the same time you have to dig deep and find compassion, decrement and try and trust because as bad as one person can be to an animal, another can love deeply and unconditionally.
As much as one person won't give and think what you do is worthless, senseless and a waist of time, others understand, support, donate and try and help in some kind of way.
It is such a double edge sword.
When you in animal rescue physically, your emotions run deeper and stronger. You connect with every single animal you touch, interact with or help. You cry every time you have to let go and the last moments are engraved in your memory for days to come. You judge yourself, become your worse critic and blame yourself for not being able to do more, push harder or broke doors down.
Many of us withdraw from the world, we become loners. We smile, chat but eventually the room gets to crowded and we retreat to a quiet corner. Waiting it out to return to what feels safe and familiar.
We don't buy luxury cars, wear designer clothing, spoil ourselves or even go for lunches with our girlfriends. Our spoils are solitude and a glass of wine with an animal companion next to us.
Yeah, we kinda messed-up but once you in rescue, you can't get out. It follows you, it becomes part of who your are. It attaches itself to your DNA.
Would we change anything - no, not a thing, the commitment was made. Our vision and mission was clear from the start, but some days, yes some days, we just want to feel the sun and grass under our feet and for a moment love life again!
God bless
Rochelle and Shaney