July 22, 2004 ~ A Chance to Help (includes a sound file)
Thursday.
I've never tried posting sound files before, so let me know if this doesn't work for you. You'll need something that will play mp3 files.
I recorded Meeja howling about a month ago. This is from 200 feet away.
Meeja howling:
click here for streaming
right click and "save as" to download (or, with Mac, hold down the mouse button)
This was her mourning howl, which she did for weeks after her mama left her at the Sanctuary. She was feeling abandoned, and missed her family.
Over the years, especially back when Morgan and I were having such a hard time getting by, I have had several requests from readers asking that I please put a donation button on Awakened, both to help with the costs of hosting and domain renewal and because they wanted the opportunity to give something in exchange for the stories that I tell here.
Awakened is free for the reading, though, and I intend to keep it that way. I do not wish to profit financially from what I write here. For five years I have avoided taking donations, or even posting a personal wish list, for that matter. This journal is a hobby. The personal connections that I make here are reward enough.
Lately, however, some of you have been asking me to please make it possible to help the wolves whom I work with at the Rescue. This is a request that I am having a really hard time refusing. I love those animals, and I of course want the very best for them. As a board member, I know that the Rescue is financially strapped.
So. On the sound advice of a few friends and some recent very convincing reader emails, I am opening a donation page, linked from every wolf entry and the front page. 100% of donations from this page will go directly to the care and keeping of the wolves and wolf-dogs at the Rescue. And, since the Rescue is a 501c-3 nonprofit organization, any donations are tax-deductible. As a board member, I can write receipts.
On the donation page, I will keep a running tally of how much money has come through this site for the Rescue, and I'll keep you posted on what it is doing for the animals. Sponsorships for individual animals are also available. If anyone would rather donate items from the Rescue's wish list or volunteer time if you live closer, I can help you in arranging that, too.
Thank you for the interest, everyone, and thanks especially to those who convinced me to provide the means for you to help, if you want to. I'm touched that you would like to help the wolves.
So, without further ado:
Donation is by no means required or expected to read Awakened, of course. I'll keep writing here if nothing comes in at all. But many of you were right when you said, "Why should you keep your readers from donating to a non-profit that they have come to care a great deal about through the entries that you write?" Aye. Agreed. So, if you want to help, or have been wishing for a way to give back, please feel free. The wolves (and I for them) will be most thankful.
If you'd like to promote the cause, feel free to link to the donation page:
<a href="http://www.fallingstar.net/awakened/donate.shtml" target="_blank">Donate to a Wolf and Wolf-Dog Rescue Sanctuary</a>
Thanks!
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