Gifts that Give.

This Christmas I have decided to give a few charitable gifts to my family and friends along side their main gifts. Charity is a tough thing to talk about around holidays. Money is tight. But when money is tight for us, its even worse for those who rely on charitable donations to keep their organisation afloat.

There are so many fun, interesting and meaningful gifts to choose from out there now. I think they're perfect for giving and that warm feeling you'll get is definitely worth it!

What about growing your own mango tree? Not only is it a great source of food, but something familys can sell at market or trade. Help families build up their livestock by buying a share in a farmyard. How about training up a pump attendant? £20 can give a villager 3 days training on maintenence to vital water pumps. And finally, adopting an animal is pretty standard, but what about adopting one of the last 800 mountain gorillas in Central Africa? Who could say no to that baby face!

You could always think a little closer to home. I'm going to be donating to the Whitehall Dog Shelter. I'll be giving enough for 8 doggy Christmas Dinners (thats 1 for each person I'm gifting to!). I'm going to make little cards to present them to my loved ones, and I hope they'll be super happy thinking about those little pups having a treat. I know I will be :)

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What about you, have you given a charitable gift before? What did you decide to give? And how to the receiver react?

Dog Day.

Earlier this week, I was lucky enough to be given time off work to volunteer. Me and my little team decided on having a day dog walking at an amazing, independently run dog sanctuary not too far from where we live.

We were given a quick tour (they have over 40 dogs at the minute!!), then given a whole bunch of pups to take out. I choose this guy as my first (My first dog was a boarder collie), his name was Sam and man, was he the Dad of the group. After giving me a huge hug, he insisted on being at the front of the pack where he settled right down. Everyone so often he'd stop and turn around for a quick head count to make sure everyone was safe. He did get a little moody, and threw himself at the ground and refuse to walk a few times. But, who wouldnt?! It was a loooooonnng walk. After a little encouragement he got right back into it. 

It was so cute seeing all the dogs walking together. They were really good friends. The big rottweiler, Petra, was the softest! The little whippet was so friendly. But the little staffy at the bottom stole my heart, I wish so much I could bring her home. She had the cutest face and the nicest nature. I'll be making a visit in a year or twos time to pick up a new family member for sure.

The forest and fields we went down were beautiful. It reminded me of an un-snowed Narnia. We went out with three separate sets of dogs in the end, each time we walked for over an hour. I didn't take too many photos of the other groups, it started to throw it down with rain and I had to concentrate on not slipping over.

I can't say enough good things about the sanctuary. Each dog is prefectly taken care of regardless of habits, background or character, their best interests are at heart. And it all stemmed for one guys shock when finding out dogs picked up by wardens or handed into the police are given a small window to find new owners, and then they're killed. Its awful, and I'm so happy somewhere like the Whitehall Dog Rescue is around.

By the end my hair was stuck to my face, my toes were swollen, tights torn, I was covered in mud from pup hugs and my legs still ache. I had the best time. Plus, I have started chipping at #2 on my eighteen before twentyfive.