With Elijah's funds diminishing each day, he has decided to go back to work. He got a job as a Driving Instructor 4 days a week down in Anchorage (Monday-Thursday) and then he also got a job, as a massage therapist here in Wasilla on Friday's and Saturday's. This leaves Sunday as his only day of rest.
For myself, the summer season has begun and I am back tour guiding. Luckily I work part time, but that still makes me be away from home at least 4-5 days a week, every other week. It is so nerve racking leaving these fur babies in the hands of someone else, but honestly, they couldn't be in better hands.
Brian has been our saving grace around here. He has downsized the pack numbers (7 packs to 4 packs), and each group is getting along great, even after that setback with Kali and Blue. He is in the process of spraying, shaving and grooming each dog, as well as feeding. The garden is coming along nicely as Brian has been prepping the soil to start planting, and most importantly, all the dogs seem so happy to have more friends to play with. Now thats a lot of work, especially for one person. It does not go unnoticed!
Things would definitely be different around here if he wasn't here. The dogs would be crossing their legs all day long waiting to go pee. Very happy that isn't an issue for the moment.
Currently, we are trying to revamp our volunteer profile online to get qualified people to come here to help us complete our goals with the Planetary Health Zone and the dogs. We are looking for volunteers to not only help us with the daily routine of taking care of the dogs and house chores, but also volunteers that want to help change the world and become advocates for animals in Alaska.
We need help us with fundraising, social media awareness, graphic design, blog entries, and building/renovation projects.
We are looking for volunteers with experience in (but not limited to):
- Fundraising
- Non profit experience
- Construction
- Graphic design
- Social media
- Editing/ Youtube channel
- Animal rights activism
- Not for profit work
- Creative writing
We are finally at a turning point with the dogs and the building itself. We are establishing a good cause that we want to see last for 100 years.
Projects to complete:
Renovating the kennels so that each pack has indoor and outdoor access, so that they can go outside when they please. Currently, there are 4 packs of dogs (a group of 8, a group of 6, a group of 5, and a group of 4). Upon completion of the kennel renovation, it will allow for more time to be focused on other great causes
Finish the upstairs kitchen and house projects. Our house that we live in is about 80% finished. We would like to make a lager kitchen to house and cook for more volunteers. Our last big project that we completed was an upstairs bathroom!
Fundraising/Website work- We have been doing it alone for so long. Now, we are hoping to find compassionate people around the world that would like to donate to a good cause.
Time will tell, but today I am so grateful with how things are. Little by little. Staying positive.
Best-
Elijah, Nicole and the dogs.
Donate at www.dogsjourneyhome.org