This month’s blog post is about some of the economic issues arising in the UK and the terrible Russian invasion of Ukraine. A bit hard-hitting than my normal blogs but I thought it was all rather relevant and it needed to be acknowledged.
I found a post that a mum had made to help explain to her children why the UK and other countries haven’t stepped in with manpower to help out Ukraine. I thought I’d share because it helped me to understand.
‘After the last big playground fight (WW2) lots of popular kids (world leaders) got together and made a big gang (NATO). All the kids in this gang made a pinkie promise (treaty) to be nice and respectful and not fight each other anymore. This means not going into each other’s part of the playground (country) without permission and not throwing sticks or stones (heavy artillery) at each other. The UK is part of that gang. One gang member (Russia) has started picking on the new kid (Ukraine) because he wants the new kids’ part of the playground for himself even though his space is already the biggest. Sadly, the new kid (Ukraine) is not part of the gang because the bully didn’t want them to join the gang. We would be breaking our promise if any of the gang members help the new kid fight the bully. We have all told the bully off and stuck up for the new kid by hiding the bully’s pocket money until the bully stops hurting the new kid and this will hopefully stop the bully from buying more sticks and stones. Some gang members have given the new kid sticks and stones to help fight off the bully because that is not breaking the pinkie promise. Even though it is really sad, all we can do is stand on the edge of the playground and watch and give moral support to the new kid because we are not allowed to fight the bully for them, not without breaking the pinkie promise. BUT, if the bully breaks the pinkie promise and comes into our part of the playground (UK) without permission and throws sticks and stones at us, then the whole of the gang (NATO) will come and help us and we will all jump on top of the bully (Russia) and beat him up.’
Loosely learning about the dynamics of what is happening in Eastern Europe and the devastation seen on the news that Ukrainian families are having to deal with, made me think about all the beloved pets those families may have. What happens to them? Have some pets lost their humans and are now homeless and having to fend for food for themselves etc? So, I decided to look into what I could do to help.
Below are 3 charities I found that are accepting donations that will directly help those caught up in this conflict.
1. Shelter Friend
This is a non-profitable charity organisation and rehabilitation centre for homeless animals in Dnepr City. Having rescued over 15,000 animals since 2012 you can follow their rescue journeys on Instagram and donate to their worthy cause.
2. Four Paws
Support our work in Ukraine | Four Paws UK (four-paws.org.uk) This is a bear sanctuary based in Western Ukraine near Domazhyr. They have 34 bears on-site that workers have committed to stay and care for amidst the war. They also have a Stray Animal Care Team helping lost pets, treating any injuries they have, microchipping and vaccinating them.
3. PETA Germany How PETA Germany Is Helping Animals and Their Families | PETA Even though not directly based in Ukraine, the uncertainty of charities being able to access funds may become difficult. So, contributing to a country nearby who are helping with food deliveries for animals in Ukraine may be a good compromise. They are also helping to rescue dogs from Kharkiv and Kyiv.
Another topic linked to the invasion of Ukraine is the rising cost of fuel. Since the beginning of 2022 fuel prices has slowly been creeping up. We’ve had Boris Johnson claiming ‘there’s not a fuel shortage’ which naturally meant everyone went out and panic bought petrol for their cars, so much so that petrol stations across the country ran out. The increase is due to global supply issues, market uncertainty and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Oil demand during the pandemic reduced due to world travel stopping, working from home so not as many commuters etc. Now the world economies are returning to a new normal, the demand is greater. However, the oil-producing nations are struggling to meet the demand which in turn forces prices up.
The average price in December 2020 = £1.14 per litre
The average price in April 2022 = £1.63 per litre for petrol
£1.77 per litre for diesel
Russia produces 10% of the global oil output and is the third-largest oil producer in the world. So, with military actions happening in the East of Europe our oil supply could be affected.
With all of this going on and the rising cost of living we are currently going through; I will endeavour to keep my prices the same but shall review how things are at the end of 2022.
Hope you’ve had a lovely May!
Click this link to read of a brave Jack Russell terrier getting a medal of honour Ukraine's mine sniffing dog Patron awarded medal by Zelenskiy (msn.com)
Until next month
Lydia x
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