Gratitude

“When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” — Wilferd A. Peterson

...And so today thanks to all your help winning the Xmas photo contest I was finally able to transfer the mighty sum of 100,000 yen, equivalent to roughly $1000 US dollars to CACI Gundog Rescue! Wooooohoooooo! Thank you all again so much, taking the time to vote and share Claire's picture and spread the word about this fantastic English setter and pointer rescue here in Japan. Without your help, this would not have happened. 

I decided to take in a larger dog as part of my contribution to the Tohoku disaster, there were so many abandoned or homeless at that time, and even now...The direct contact with the Kanagawa rescue didn't work out, and encouraging Afghan hound rescue friends led me to Dog Shelter Tokyo, where I fell in love with Sofie (even though she was not directly a Fukushima dog, I figured adopting her would open up space to save an earthquake dog). When Sofie passed after two months, I was heartbroken, but still felt I had a commitment to care for another dog, not as her replacement, but as part of the community effort to help out. And so Claire came, and then Nobunaga and Chiaro di Luna. While my doggies live, I am reminded that the people of Tohoku are still struggling and coping with the aftershock of the disaster, and our ongoing love and prayers and support are with them. 

There are still so many ways to help: if you're not a doggie person, perhaps you will like Apricot, which helps children deal with PTSD issues: http://metropolisjapan.com/apricot/