The other day, I was going through stacks of mailers from animal organizations I’ve donated to and was overwhelmed by all their donation requests and complimentary gifts. I laughed thinking that this must be what other animal lovers’ go through on a regular basis. (I’m not complaining—I just wish I had the money to consistently donate to all these organizations that do great work for animals.)

It got me thinking about the different (sometimes funny) things only animal lovers and activists could understand.

1. Waking up to an inbox filled with emails from animal welfare organizations, wildlife and environmental conservationists, and petitions to be signed and shared.
2. Marking said emails as ‘Unread’ or ‘Flagged’ so you can go back to them another time—whether to donate or sign and share petitions. (It weighs less heavily on your mind when you don’t have the time or financial means to take immediate action but want to at some point.)
3. Functioning on autopilot as you work your way through every petition regarding animals and the environment. (Not exaggerating, I’ve signed about 50 petitions in one sitting.)
4. Managing a growing collection of complimentary animal magazines, calendars, address labels, stickers, decals, and other forms of Thank You after donating to various animal organizations and conservationist groups.
5. Having to look away, change the channel, turn down the volume, or endure watching and crying over commercials about abused animals. (And never hearing Sarah Mclachlan’s Angel the same way again.)
6. Receiving animal-related presents such as dishware, necklaces, paintings, trinkets and clothes.
7. Being blocked from friends’ Facebook feeds because of all your animal-related posts … every day, multiple times a day.
8. Cringing at the sight of road kill, and with a heavy heart, hoping that it didn’t suffer.

9. Driving extra slow, and with bated breath, scanning the road from left to right in areas with wildlife crossing ... hoping nothing comes leaping out of the bushes.