Honestly, I don't write a "pet blog." This isn't another animal rescue blog, or pet adoption site, or option to find a charity.I blog about life... with an emphasis on making a difference. Sure, animal rescue is my focus. It's my love and my passion. Pet adoption is my goal, and encouraging people to donate to animal charities is essential.
But I write about life, from my perspective. Obviously, my perspective is highly-influenced by dog rescue, animal shelters, and pet adoptions.
But that's not the only reason I write. I write to make a difference. I write to make things better. I write... to ask you to join me.
My primary goal in life is to make this world a better place. I try to encourage people to adopt that goal as their own... and then... take action. While my biggest dream is to make the world a better place for animals, that's not the only difference that needs to be made.
Therefore, an involvement in animal rescue isn't required for you to come here. Honestly, my real hope is that you'll simply be inspired to do something... something that matters to you... that also matters to the world. It doesn't have to be something huge... it can be something very small. Tiny, even.
With each tiny act of kindness, someone, somewhere feels the power of hope. And with each tiny bit of hope, the world becomes a better place. True story.
You don't have to save every pet in the animal shelter to have an impact. You don't have to end homelessness. You don't have to cure cancer. You just have to care... and then, allow that feeling drive you to action. The action can be as seemingly insignificant as this:
Last year, I got an email about a local woman in my town, who was finally leaving the battered women's shelter... to move into an apartment of her own for the first time. She didn't have a single piece of furniture to furnish it, nor the money to do so. I read that email, from my couch. At the time, I had a high-paying corporate job, with a steady income, as well as a very nice couch. This woman had neither. So... I got up, made a call, and had my couch delivered to her that day. I was left standing in an empty living room, with one crappy, beat-up chair. She was left with hope... in couch-form.
It was a small act for me, but it was everything to her. And that day, the world got better... for both of us... for all of us.
Animal rescue is my passion. Changing the world is my mission. Sure... not everyone can adopt a dog. Not everyone can volunteer, or foster, or donate. But I promise you... every single person in this world can do something to make it better.
I don't write to make anyone feel insignificant or incapable or useless. My goal is actually quite the opposite. I write to inspire you. I write to encourage you. I write to say, "You can do something, too." Because... in truth... you can.
Every tiny act of kindness makes the world a better place for all of us. Making one dog smile... making one person laugh... giving one someone hope... it counts. And it matters.
Don't discount yourself because you can't do everything. You can do something today.
And in advance... thank you for changing the world today... because I know that each of you can and will go out and make a difference.
Wonderful blog Ashley!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy :)
ReplyDeletei'm pretty sure i love you.
ReplyDeleteyup. just learned about you from a friend, and i'm so glad i did.
i, too, feel that my mission is to change the world--for the better. and you are so right: every person can do SOMETHING.
i am so proud of you.
i am so happy that you exist.
i can't wait to visit here regularly.
thank you for showing love in this world. that is what it needs, more than anything.
love. love. love.
xoxo,
secret agent l
Yep, you are pretty freaking spectacular!! I wish I could put into words how awesome you are!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another dandy Ashley :)))
Secret Agent L,
ReplyDeleteYou just made my day.
Also, I'm pretty sure I just started following you on twitter as well... thanks to that same friend who led you to me.
Thank you for taking the time to make me smile today. You're awesome & inspiring.
Love,
Ash
PS- I'm pretty sure I love you, too ;)
Ashley, You are so right! Plus, when you help someone else it will put a HUGE smile on your own face. We need more folks like you in this world. The smallest of gestures, a card sent to a coworker who's battling cancer, or lost a loved one, or a box cake baked for someone having a bad day. Even just a phone call to say hello and I care means so much. Everyone around us is going through something at this very moment. We need to remember that and show kindness at every opportunity. God Bless You, Lois
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog Ashely!! Keep them coming!!
ReplyDeleteIt really feels so good to help someone else. There's no better gift than the gift of hope.
ReplyDeleteAshely, you are a wonderful and gifted person, God Bless you for all that you do for those that can't help themselves. I am so glad that I have a chance to read your blog. Take Care.
ReplyDeleteYou are a writer and a wonderful person. I wish more people were like you...what a better world we would live in.
ReplyDeleteOops...the post above I meant to say a wonderful writer
ReplyDeleteWhenever I read your words, I cry and smile....at the same time. I don't even remember how I found your blog, many moons ago....but, I'm glad I did. I can't say that I read it every day...or even every month for that matter...but, every time I do, you inspire me. I try to do little things to make a difference...you make me want to do *big* things. Some day, I know I will. Thank you...your words, your actions, and your amazing heart give me hope. ~Kristin =)
ReplyDeleteI read this blog because everything you write is true and full of wisdom. You tell us that it is the way it is, and if we want it changed, we will have to do something about it. You write in an inspiring and interesting way that makes me wanna read through everything, and when I'm done, change something!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what else to say except that you are just AWESOME! I actually can't wait to login every single day to see what you've written. You are so inspiring and encouraging, and you find a ray of hope in even the most dire of circumstances. People like you are very rare, Ashley, but I feel better for "knowing" you and reading your words. We may be several hundred miles apart geographically, but I feel like your next door neighbor when I read your words of hope. I, too, am passionate about animals (have been my whole life), so your words and actions are especially touching to me. Keep up the AWESOME work! People DO notice (and so do dogs!) :-)
ReplyDeleteSome people just talk about doing something to change the world, you actually do it! Thanks so much for steadfast commitment to our four legged friends. If I wasn't married to the most wonderful woman in the world, I would ask you out for dinner. LOL
ReplyDeleteAdman
Ashley
ReplyDeleteI found out your blog yesterday and fell in love of it and your passion.
I do love animals too, ever since I was a kid my parents taught me to love every single living creature,,and we have shared our lives with so many angels, some of them rescued and some of them actually being born in our own backyard.
No only dogs, we have rescued pidgeons, bunnies, turtles, cats and parrots ... they have all been a blessing to our family :D
And you are absolutely right, WE ALL can do a little something that makes this world a better place, and I try to do so every day ... and reading your blog it inspired me even more, knowing there are more people who care :D
thanks for the wonderful things you are doing!
we all have something to learn from you
a big hug
Sam
When the hopelessness of reality sets in, I come here to be reminded of why it's important for me to never stop trying to help each and every dog I can. Thank you Ashley for teaching me that while it hurts to lose some battles, the pain softens with every small victory and those moments make every tear worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wonderful blog. I really enjoy reading your posts. As a vegan reading many blogs written by people involved with rescue and fostering, I wonder if any of them thought about another way in which we contribute to animal suffering - by eating them. 10 billion animals are killed for food every year in this country. And it is very hard to deny that cows, pigs, chicken, fish and other "food" animals can feel pain just as much as dogs that we so much care about. They also want to live in normal conditions and not be born to be tortured and eventually killed, so their flesh would end up on our plates. Especially considering that humans can meet their nutrition requirements without animal products. We live in a country where we have a choice. And by choosing not to eat any animal products, we can save thousands of animals over our lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to push any kind of agenda and I don't want to make the load that rescuers carry even heavier. They see enough every day. I understand that. I just want to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves and those whose lives can be spared by a simple decision to go vegan.
What a wonderful idea! As someone involved in dog rescue myself, I applaud your efforts to make life better for all. :)
ReplyDeleteGod blesses beautiful people like you...you are simply wonderful..................
ReplyDeleteI love you even more with every post you write. You are amazing and I'm so glad you're in this world, doing what you do. I only wish there were millions more like you, so that this world would be a much, much better place and so that every single dog would know love. Thank you, once again, for being you. <3
ReplyDeleteAshley,
ReplyDeletePlease message me if you get a chance. My email is hsuttles3@yahoo.com. I have a lot of questions for you, as you are quite the inspiration! Thank you for all you do, and I look forward to talking and learning with you!!
<3 Heather