Not all scars are visible
A story about violence, recovery, and why protecting animals means protecting what’s human in us.
Let’s stop whispering about doing good.
We’ve heard it often: “Real kindness is quiet.”
And maybe there was a time when that was enough.
But not anymore.
Because silence doesn't change anything.
If we want a different kind of world, being quietly good isn’t enough.
It’s time to make goodness visible.
To speak about it.
To show it.
To let it spark something in others.
Because when we don’t talk about suffering, it continues.
And when we hide healing, others stop believing it’s even possible.
Today, I want to share a story.
A story about suffering. About healing.
And about what it really means to matter in someone’s life.
Her name is Poppy.
A group of people with enormous hearts rescued her.
She had a completely shattered jaw, already healed the wrong way, never treated, and was sick with leishmaniasis. She couldn’t even drink water without it spilling from her mouth.
She wouldn’t leave the room.
She couldn’t lift her eyes off the floor.
She wanted to disappear.
And even though I’ve witnessed many cases of abuse, something about her broke something open in me.
Her recovery required medical treatments, special food, and long-term care — and it wasn’t cheap. Her trainer alone costs €120/month, and she needs this trainer because, for 2–3 months, she refused to leave her room out of fear.
That cost made adoption nearly impossible.
So I told the shelter:
“If money is the only thing standing in the way of her living a decent life — I’ll cover it. For as long as it takes. Even if that means the rest of her life.”
Whether she gets adopted or not, I’ll make sure Poppy lives with dignity.
And love.
📌 Today, Poppy walks out of the room by herself.
📌 She jumps on the couch.
📌 She goes outside for walks.
📌 And most importantly — she’s no longer hiding from the world.
If we want a better world, we have to care.
Not just feel touched and scroll on.
Animal abuse isn’t just a cause for “animal lovers.”
It’s a social emergency.
When we choose not to ignore the violence against animals, we’re not only protecting them.
We’re protecting the humanity in us.
Dozens of studies show a strong link between animal cruelty and future violence against people. So this isn’t just a sentimental cause.
It’s about the health of our societies.
When we choose to ignore it, we unintentionally contribute to it.
So here’s a question I’ve been asking myself too:
When was the last time you did something for someone who couldn’t say “thank you”?
We may not be able to save every dog.
Every person.
Every cause.
But we can save one.
And sometimes, that one is everything.
In the photos, you’ll see a few fragments of her journey — from pain… to hope.
— D.