Boonie Tails

By Grace Keilbach

Another super typhoon (yes, seriously)

While many of us were lighting fireworks, eating BBQ, and enjoying this past 4th of July weekend, the C.N.M.I and Guam were busy preparing for another super typhoon to make land fall. With sustained winds of 180 mph, this category five storm was heading straight towards the islands who were still in the midst of recovering from the last category five storm, Typhoon Sinlaku. Although Guam and the entire C.N.M.I sustained significant damage, the island of Rota took the hardest hit. Targeting a community with already damaged infrastructure, remote location, little to no news coverage, and limited access to outside resources, Typhoon Bavi was the “perfect storm”.

Two super typhoons making landfall on the same islands not even three months apart is unprecedented but unfortunately may become a new trend. As ocean temperatures continue to rise and the effects of climate change become more and more evident, super storms like this will continue to become stronger and more frequent, disproportionately effecting communities around the world who statistically contribute the least to global warming. The initial destruction caused by these storms is just the beginning of the issues. How do you get help to a remote island that no one knows about?

As we discussed in our last Typhoon update in regards to Sinlaku, one of the best things that has come from starting Boonie Babies is being able to share and impact so much more than just dogs. Our main goal is to support our local community and the online community we have all built together has allowed us to do that in ways we never imagined possible. From fundraising for spay and neuter so that no owner is turned away because of the cost to typhoon relief donations, you are always there for us when we need you the most. You cannot have animal welfare without human welfare and its times like these where this becomes more apparent than ever. If you are interested in supporting typhoon relief efforts on the island of Rota, please click HERE to donate to the Micronesia Climate Change Alliance and add “For Luta” (Luta is the Chamorro name for Rota) in your donation note. Every donation of any amount directly helps those on island in need. Everyone effected by both Typhoon Sinlaku and Bavi still has a long road of recovery ahead of them but thanks to the unwavering support of Boonie lovers around the world, they are not alone in walking it.

Find your Frog

“Toad sat and did nothing. Frog sat with him”. - Arnold Lobel, Frog and Toad Together

There is a profound, quiet magic in that simple exchange from the classic children’s book. It perfectly captures the essence of true companionship, the kind that doesn't demand conversation, entertainment, or a text back. It is the art of simply being. And if you have a dog, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

One of the absolute best parts of sharing your life with a pet is that you are never truly alone. Whether you are attempting to use the bathroom in peace, navigating the kitchen to make lunch, or just sitting on the couch watching Netflix while scrolling, they are right there. If your dogs are anything like ours, they are a constant shadow, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse (the occasional trip hazard), but always just happy to be there.

Dogs (and the few cats) are the ultimate "Frogs" to our "Toads." They don't care if we are productive, successful, or completely doing nothing at all. They have a brilliant, yet simple way of filling life’s most ordinary, mundane moments with love. It is almost impossible not to smile when you look down and see a pair (or three + pairs) of warm, bright eyes looking back at you from across the room. They turn a quiet house into a home, and a lonely moment into a shared one, simply by existing in the same room as us. I will forever be grateful for the love, companionship, and simple moments with my “frogs”.

Boonie of the Week

Click HERE to view Walker’s story, better known as Walka Flaka, on The Dodo! From starving stray laying with his Boonie friend who had already passed away to beloved Boonie Baby, Walker is now a permanent resident at B.B. headquarters and loving life.

Boonie Tails is free to read. But if you liked this post, support Boonie Babies and this newsletter by pledging a monthly or annual donation. Thank you for reading and we’ll see you next week!