The Path from Survival to Sanctuary

Counting Our Blessings — The Foundation of Our Future

It has been more than a year since the puppies were born, and not yet a full year since our arrival in the United Kingdom; and yet, the passage from one moment to the other has been marked by trials of no ordinary kind.

When I first met Namaya in Taiwan, and assisted her in bringing life into the world, I was permitted to witness something rare and extraordinary. That moment, however, was soon overtaken by circumstances of a far more difficult nature, and we found ourselves drawn into a situation as demanding as it was unforeseen.

During that period, my strength declined in a manner I could neither ignore nor easily conceal. I was twice admitted to hospital.

There were days when my body trembled beyond my control. Even the simplest movement required resolve.

There was no steady footing to rely upon. Each day brought new demands and uncertainty, and I had to find a way forward while ten lives depended on me.

And still, I continued.

The possibility of walking away was always there. It would, in many ways, have been the easier choice.

Yet I did not take it.

For even as my composure faltered, my responsibility did not. The dogs remained entirely dependent on me, and their safety came before anything else.

I had to endure and decide at the same time — to navigate movement, survival, and constant uncertainty in a place where I did not speak the language, and where vulnerability often made things harder, not easier.

In the midst of all this, there were people who showed us what blessings looked like. Small acts, but of real importance.

At the time, I did not yet know how to hold on to them. I was too shaken, too focused on simply getting through each day.

But now I have reached a stage where I can.

To count one’s blessings is not merely a comforting thought. It is a necessity.

At present, there is not yet a strong or established community surrounding us, and this is something we are building gradually, step by step.

This is not simply a story of having ten dogs.

This is a real sanctuary — a living system that requires constant care, attention, and stability to function.

At the moment, it is sustained by very little — largely by one person, with some support around us. That is the reality of it.

That is why building a community matters so much. Not something overwhelming, but something steady, where every form of support contributes to keeping this going.

Our aim is to build a sustainable eco-sanctuary — a place where resources are used thoughtfully, where we can generate what we need responsibly, and where the dogs live within a stable, well-supported environment.

A living system, designed with care, where everything works together to create safety, balance, and continuity.

This is the commitment I have made.

And though the path remains uncertain, it is one we will continue to walk, step by step.

For such places are not formed all at once, but are built gradually — with care, with patience, and with the support of others.

Every act of kindness becomes something we count as a blessing — and it means more to us than words can fully express.

Thank you from Namaya & the pups & me ❤️