As I get ready to take some vacation, I realize the things I like to
think about shift. Once all the animals are taken care of, and the
transition of the house is made to the house sitter, my interest turns
to looking for stories and information that inspire and help me
recharge my batteries. It wasn't very long before the first story
arrived in my mailbox, about FreeKibble.com.
Mimi Ausland is 12 years old and has spent her life tending to animals, both domestic and wild. As shelters fill with pets that have lost their homes due to foreclosure, Mimi looked to see what she could do to help beyond the hours she was volunteering at her local shelter. Aware of a program that provides rice to developing nations, she thought of providing kibble to shelters struggling to feed their growing number of residents. What started off as a small piece of food, to benefit a local shelter in her home town of Bend, Oregon, has now extended to other shelters and rescue groups. Mimi has secured a corporate sponsor and is spending some of her free time giving interviews in order to spread the word even more.
What inspires me about this story is how everything starts out small - a young girl, a piece of kibble, a local shelter, and grows big through a generous heart, a passion to contribute, and a deep love for animals. It makes me realize that each of us has this potential, and big things are achievable regardless how small they may start. If each of us can identify that one small thing that brings us joy and enables us to give back, it collectively becomes a big thing, bettering the world for humans and animals alike.
