Thank you for writing this, Tobias. I can see why you feel confused about this, I think it makes sense to feel so. It sucks your friends made you feel bad about it.
I can’t say what the right thing to do was in that situation, but I can say I am with you that it isn’t right to be harsh to ourselves and others for not making the most optimized decision all the time.
No one needs help just because they spend their personal time and money on a stray dog, including you. I can see why this might still be hard to accept. Perhaps reframing it like this might help?
Your compassionate colleague, who’s incredibly dedicated to improving animal welfare, was on vacation. They’re resting from difficult work and making difficult decisions.
They gave themselves rare time to do whatever they wanted to do, to focus on themselves, just enjoying their lives.
And at that time, helping an incredibly friendly and trusting stray dog would make them happy. And so, they did.
I currently live in a place where there are a lot of suffering people and animals. Most of the time, I can’t help them. I try to not ignore them, though; I acknowledge them in ways I can. I think they really appreciate that. When I say no to people begging, I still kindly look them in the eye and smile to say sorry. For strays, I give them small treats.
Since I can’t avoid it, I cope by reframing it as a daily reminder of why this work means so much. That I’m helping this many beings who are in need, if not more.
It hurts that I’m affected, but I see it as an indication that I still care. I think I would actually be really worried if I am no longer affected.
Thank you for writing this, Tobias. I can see why you feel confused about this, I think it makes sense to feel so. It sucks your friends made you feel bad about it.
I can’t say what the right thing to do was in that situation, but I can say I am with you that it isn’t right to be harsh to ourselves and others for not making the most optimized decision all the time.
No one needs help just because they spend their personal time and money on a stray dog, including you. I can see why this might still be hard to accept. Perhaps reframing it like this might help?
Your compassionate colleague, who’s incredibly dedicated to improving animal welfare, was on vacation. They’re resting from difficult work and making difficult decisions.
They gave themselves rare time to do whatever they wanted to do, to focus on themselves, just enjoying their lives.
And at that time, helping an incredibly friendly and trusting stray dog would make them happy. And so, they did.
I currently live in a place where there are a lot of suffering people and animals. Most of the time, I can’t help them. I try to not ignore them, though; I acknowledge them in ways I can. I think they really appreciate that. When I say no to people begging, I still kindly look them in the eye and smile to say sorry. For strays, I give them small treats.
Since I can’t avoid it, I cope by reframing it as a daily reminder of why this work means so much. That I’m helping this many beings who are in need, if not more.
It hurts that I’m affected, but I see it as an indication that I still care. I think I would actually be really worried if I am no longer affected.