08/01/2026
✨Sylvia's Diary 08-01-26✨
Here we are at the beginning of 2026.
Some people will remember the year just gone as one filled with sadness and loss. Others will remember success, love, laughter, and moments that made it all worthwhile. Most of us probably experienced a mixture of everything, sometimes all in the same week.
For dogs, the story is very much the same, although far less fair. Some dogs will have been shaped by kindness, patience, and love. Others sadly by cruelty, neglect, and a lack of human responsibility. Same species, same hearts, very different starts in life.
According to the Chinese calendar, we are still in the Year of the Snake and the Year of the Horse begins on February 17th as I am quite glad of that, because the way this year began was not gentle.
The night of December 31st and the early hours of January 1st were horrific. It felt as though people all around us believed this New Year was more important than any before it and decided to celebrate louder and bigger than ever. The fireworks were enormous and constant and they surrounded the rescue and the animals.
The dogs cried and howled. They scrambled and paced, trying to escape something they could not understand. The horses were deeply affected. When horses are distressed, they lick and chew as they try to process fear and confusion. Some stood at the gates licking and chewing, staring into nothing. Others panicked and reared and spun around, slamming into things. It was awful to witness.
Just when the noise seemed to stop, it would start all over again. It felt endless. I do not know how many animals or people were injured across the country during those hours, but seeing the fear was heartbreaking.
When it was finally over, the animals slowly settled. No one was physically hurt, only terrified.
The following day, the horses were still unsettled. The little ponies tried to climb into my pockets, not for treats, but because they wanted to feel safe. They pressed their heads into my arms. They were too upset to take food. One dog made the most pitiful sound, a strange cross between a bear and a wolf. He would not stay in his warm kennel and just paced back and forth. When I went in with food, he nearly knocked me over. Fear had completely taken over.
Thankfully, that passed, and calm returned.
We are still in the Year of the Snake, but not for too much longer. The Horse will arrive soon enough, bringing endurance and forward movement, even when the road is tough, we will be ready.
And then came one of those moments that reminds us why we do this.
The other day, snow arrived, and the dogs experienced pure joy. Imagine living in kennels for much of your life and suddenly stepping out onto a white world that crunches under your feet. You sniff it, taste it, and it melts in your mouth. The dogs galloped and played with sheer delight. The staff and dogs had the most wonderful day together. There was time to really play and enjoy the moment, and it was magical to watch.
I also want to update you on something very special that is quietly taking shape here. We are creating a peaceful, magical place for children and for those who need calm, stories, and quiet moments.
The shepherd hut is coming along beautifully. It will be painted in a special way and will have a real wow factor. I have decided to get a pretend log fire, the sort you can buy from Amazon, like the cast iron log burners, but not a real one as electric. It will give warmth and comfort. There will be fairy lights inside, so the moment you walk in, you feel warm, relaxed, and as though you have stepped into a different world.
That feeling already exists when you walk into Many Tears, but some people need even more peace than that. We welcome many groups of special people, although of course everyone who comes here is special. They all come with the same agenda, to help animals, whether dogs, horses, cats, or even hamsters, rabbits, or guinea pigs. Everyone helps make this place what it is.
This space will be for sitting and resting, listening and learning, not sleeping, but it will be welcoming to anyone who needs it. I am sure, with help, it will become something truly special. I cannot wait to show you all. It may not be this week because of the weather, but it is coming together, and it makes me very happy. And that feels like a very good way to move forward.
So to end with the year and go into the following year eyes open wide doing the best I can, I will try to remember the following and ask for a little help too:
"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Thank you for the love you have given our dogs, the support you have shown, and for caring
Sylvia x
✨To donate, please follow the link: https://many-tears-animal-rescue.giantgiving.com/campaign/sylvias-diary/
