Proud to Be - A Hippo Essay

By Sue Alexander

February 21, 2019

I have been thinking this morning about how to read. Not just looking at the letters and words and paragraphs and putting meaning to what is on the screen, but how to read what people intend. What we write is important for sure but how we read is equally important.

On Losing Lulu, we try and make sure that every post that is put up gets a response (like, heart or sad is best because those are usually the kindest emojis) right away and an appropriate kind comment from someone as soon as possible. You can help! As a member, if you are reading at 3 in the morning and none of the admin staff are here, you can do that. It will really help someone who is sharing their story, often for the very first time. So, we are all practicing how to write kindly. The question is...are we also practicing how to read kindly?

Most of us are hurting. The number of dogs from rescue who are truly suffering is really hard for me. I am SO angry at the rescues who place dangerous dogs! And this board has so many stories about that. This is not the place for me to rant and rave about my feelings about that. Rescue bashing has no place here...however, telling you that I am angry and frustrated does. And that can be a fine line to write about and an even finer line to read about. When you know that I am frustrated and angry....do you hear that it is about my feelings? Or do you feel judged because you are a rescuer?

I have been talking to a number of Luluers via PM when they feel they are being misread, or when they feel that someone is ranting and raving. So, let's be careful. Let's write kindly, but let's also read kindly. When someone says "I am angry that the person who brought this hippo into their home didn't understand what this hippo needed" they are not saying "all people who adopt hippos are bad" nor are they say "you adopted a hippo who became aggressive and you didn't give him absolutely everything that a hippo needs." They are saying "I am frustrated that people aren't ready for the hippos I have in my rescue". It is about their frustration.

I want to thank everyone who reaches out to let me know how it feels for you, and I want to assure everyone that if there is a thread that starts to bash hippo breeders, hippo rescuers or the families that take in a hippopotamus, I will shut down the thread. It is important to have a place to say "this hurts me". It is also important to not rant and rave because that is hurtful to others, and part of being a Luluer is learning to be compassionate no matter which part of the hippo community you come from. Just remember, that loss is loss. Trauma is trauma. Grief is grief. We are here to support one another.

Much love to you all. I am honoured to be part of this community. Today's image is the goose in Wawa Ontario. I am wearing my very favourite sweatshirt with the "Proud to Be" logo. I am proud to be a Luluer.