Progression is a strong word.
It implies one is always improving, excelling, and accelerating.
I don't think there's ever been a time that wasn't true here.
However, everything moves in waves. Ups-and-downs.
I grew up with an "American-mindset": always improving, always pushing, always progressing.
The truth is, though, this is a somewhat toxic mindset.
We cannot always improve. We cannot push further day after day, without ever taking a break. Progression is rarely, if ever, steady and predictable. Nor is life itself.
Under the pressure of this mindset, and being an extremely self-motivational type person, I have lived these last 2 years with a non-stop push to the greater, to the more improved, to the more organized. It's allowed me to "push-through" some of my greatest weaknesses and doubts, and yet, it's also allowed me to experience greater dynamics of mental health challenges.
I can recall everything under the sun I felt in this process:
Excitement
Elation
Disappointment
Betrayal
Depression
Anxiety
Fear
Negativity
Doubt
Self-criticism
The list goes on. However, these are all natural effects of pushing through your boundaries.
Of changing yourself, alchemizing yourself.
I've changed in more ways than I can hardly explain.
And I'm all the better for it.
I'll admit, the work has worn on me.
Perros Libres has been the thing which has ripped me open in many ways. I've been in-and-out of the ringer like I was put through a washing machine, wrung out, and hung up to dry. But we stand stronger than ever, 67 dogs strong right now.
We have been doing all the things we've talked about:
Sterilization
Quarantining all new puppies
Up-to-date vaccinations for everyone
Setting new requirements for taking in dogs
Dog-adoption contracts
Developing the land
Amazing volunteers re-built the front gate!
The awesome team sending me a video of their hard construction work!
But there is so much more to do!
So much left undone!
This year is gonna be busy as always!
We still need to build a bathroom!!
A bathroom?! You mean you don't have one?
This is how we currently wash dogs:
Washing the dogs!
Can you see how bad we need a bathroom?
Oh no! I can't believe we're still living in this rustic style, we need to build more amenities. What does it take to build more stuff? Money. What does it take to raise money? Fundraising. What does it take to fundraise? More time on the computer, the technology, the social media. And that's just the basics of managerial tasks. There's also a whole bunch of dogs to take care of!
WHOA! Who can do all that, and raise a whole pack of 70 dogs?!
Me, our team of volunteers, community, and supporters; that's who!
This is NOT a one-man-show!
I'm worked to the bone in keeping this Sanctuary running. In keeping it growing, cleaning, building, managing, organizing, instructing, teaching, and working public relation with the local community.
This work has not made it feel easy! This town has not made it easy (by far!)
But I am not, nor will I ever be alone in this again. I am sure.
We're a LARGE group!
We're a TEAM!
We're building a COMMUNITY!
I can't believe we've made it here but I'm so glad we have.
Somehow, someway: I feel more motivated than ever.
I'm hungry as I write this. I'm about to be back in the Sanctuary within 24 hours and the excitement is boiling up inside me. It's time to get back to those dogs soon, and show you guys what is next for the Sanctuary.
Washing doggies!
Of course, there is lots more we could talk about.
For now this will have to do.
I want to thank you ALL for reading, for being here, and for being our supporters! We're gonna need help funding this rainy season, so please spread the word!
Tell your friends about us, family, other animal rescues or allies!
We need ALL the help we can get!
This is Aaron, your dog man-with-the-plan, signing off this evening.
I've left a donate-button above if you may be able to support us at this time
(let's build that bathroom!)
Have an excellent weekend, and Libertad para los perros.