On my birthday today, my heart is just so full.

If you had told that 16-year-old girl — who started all of this with our first dog at home, who was looked down upon for speaking up for animals — that one day her small voice would become a community of thousands of kind souls across the world, she would have never believed it.

It was never an easy journey. It was a complete rollercoaster. There were times when no one understood what these voiceless souls meant to me, or why I kept saying they are so important for Mother Nature and for our lives.

But you all understood. You listened. You showed up.

Today, when I am known as a household name and people trust me to guide them for care, adoption, and healthcare — I know that name was not built by me alone. It was built by every one of you who liked, shared, commented, adopted, fed a stray, rescued, and believed in compassion.

Being part of this cause brought us all closer — especially those who always loved animals but just didn’t have the right knowledge or means. And you gave me the greatest birthday gift anyone could ask for — a purpose that blooms every day.

Thank you for walking this journey with me and my paws for more than two decades. Thank you for your love, your messages, your prayers today, and every day.

My promise on my birthday is the same as it was at 16 — I will keep speaking for them, for as long as I can. And I know you will be right beside me.

With all my love and gratitude,

Hena Osman
Founder, Hena’s Blog For Paws

Hena’s Blog For Paws © 2019 by Hena Osman is licensed under CC BY 4.0