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Happy New Year to All!

Maia, Guida and Rana

We’re not going to lie, we forgot it was New Year’s Eve, it’s warm and rainy and we have a new Rana bug, so each day blends with the next and it doesn’t remotely feel like December.

Rana was the joy that ended 2018 for GSE. After spending a year feeling like we were banging our heads against the wall, wading through miles of red tape and fighting for something that to all of us seemed like there was nothing to fight about, Rana arrived at sanctuary to remind us why it is all worth it. She has only been here for a little over a week and the changes in her face and demeanor are astounding. There is a stunning light inside of her that pours out of every ounce of her being, something that was barely a twinkle before her arrival. She’s remarkable.

So we enter into 2019 lifted by Rana’s spirit and determined to have her joined this year not only by at least one elephant from within Brazil, but also those from outside of the country. In 2019 we’ll continue to build and strive to complete the African elephant habitat, so we not only offer healing to female Asian elephants, but also female African elephants in need. Hopefully 2019 sees our sanctuary family grow as well, the more people that know about our sanctuary, elephants and work, the more elephants we will be able to bring home- and there are many waiting. Sanctuary takes all of us and we are grateful for each and every one of you who give, share and send words of support and love. A simple thank you on our part will never suffice.

Elephants have the strange ability to make us better people (ask my mom ).  They allow us to see what we could be and what we should strive to be. So for us and everyone out there, let us take a page from the elephants in 2019. Try to forgive and let go: many elephants have been abused for decades, yet they still allow another human into their lives, just in case they are the first good one to come along. Try to leave the past behind and live in the now: it’s one of the most impressive qualities of elephants and it is part of why they experience so much joy. Believe in yourself and your worth- no matter how many people, for however long have made you feel badly about yourself, don’t let it define you. The girls have shown over and over again that the ‘bad’ ‘antisocial’ ‘stupid’ ones are never that, they are some of the most radiant beings when they are allowed to be. You too can embrace your inner beauty and share it with the world. And learn to love- even when it’s difficult and the path is bumpy the rewards are magnificent and you can get there. Through a lifetime of adversity and heartache, elephants find a way through the darkness and shine. Let them be an example or guide to a better, happier 2019. We can all use a bit more joy.

Happy New Years to all of you and thank you for making sanctuary life possible! With much love and gratitude, Kat, Scott and everyone here at sanctuary-two and four legged, feathered and scaled. 

December 31, 2018

Comments(6)

  1. REPLY
    Kelejan says

    I agree that elephants are some of the most forgiving creatures on this planet, even when having no contact with their own species. I knew this would happen with Rana and it will happen time and time again with any elephant that comes to Sanctuary. We must try our very best to get every captive elephant home to sanctuary before they pass on without having the love of their own kind. We know full well it cannot happen, but we must do our best for these wonderful creatures.

  2. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says

    Thank you so much and a very happy blessed new year to you all.

  3. REPLY
    Tom DiCarrado says

    Well said Kat and Kelejan. One of my greatest joys has always been predicated on bringing joy to animals. There is no feeling like it in the world and helping elephants epitomizes that feeling.

  4. REPLY
    Sara Dollins says

    Here’s to 2019 thank you for everything you do !!???

  5. REPLY
    Maggie Shrimpton says

    A very Happy 2019 to all of you at GSE. It’s so wonderful to hear Rana Bug is making such progress so soon. All of you and beautiful Miss Maia and Miss Guida are helping her learn to live like an elephant should live. You are such kind, thoughtful wonderful people. I look forward to the updates of all three of our beauties and all the other animals who live with you. As you say, we can all learn a lesson from Rana Bug. Bless you all.

  6. REPLY
    Sherry says

    Happy New Year Sanctuary!! God has truly blest you all with 3 beautiful elephants and a wonderful place for yours and their home, Sanctuary!!

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