A post by the mom.
Yesterday the rescue community online learned that someone very invested in cat rescue took her own life. She had been struggling and now she's at peace.
Rescue is hard. Every day we are faced with health decisions, intake decisions, and angry people. Even if we have people on our lives who understand, it can be hard to reach out. "I don't want to burden them." "They have enough going on." The list continues...
Add in social media and it can be 1000 times harder. I've stepped up many times to shut down a troll. I've had others do it on my accounts for me. But I sincerely wish people could just stop and think for 2 seconds before hitting send. You don't know what else is going on for that person.
During the year I was a foster coordinator, I caught flack from leaders and board members for not pushing fosters to do more. I pushed back hard. People are allowed to take breaks. They are allowed to decide what they can handle. And "no" is a complete sentence.
I've been in rescue now for over 20 years. Now more than ever we need to nurture and encourage the next generations of rescuers. And we all need to stand together to help each other along the way.
So here's what I'm asking:
Be kind
Ask for help if you need it
Be willing to help if you can
Stand up for others
Know you are not alone 💜
Yes to all of your post, and thank you for everything you do for the kitties.
ReplyDeleteA good message. Prayers for all 🙏
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder. We all need to stop and think for a couple of seconds before we push send. We also need to learn to listen to those around us.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to the family of the young woman. Sadly, in this world of the anonymous comments on social media sites, bullying or being a troll seems to be too easy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for what you do, not only for the cats/kittens in your care but for your fellow foster families. It is a difficult job, that I know I could not do.
Take care of yourself. And yes, "No" is a complete sentence. I used that with my teenagers more than once, but it works elsewhere as well.
So very sad for that poor girl.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with social media is that they give every ignorant, opinionated idiot out there a voice, and the stupider people are, the more likely they are to offer up their opinion. Yes, they need to be nipped in the bud as soon as they start spouting rubbish. If you ever need me to do that for you, I am always available and never at a loss for words.
It's hard to hear she had to make that choice. It's hard for so many human to talk about it. It's so sad to hear, especially it happens with people on your field. The kind one.
ReplyDeleteMe and mom are very appreciate what you do.
Please take care yourself too
Hugs