Most children spend a considerable amount of time preparing their Christmas lists but one girl in the UK has done something quite different. When it came time to say what she wanted for Christmas, there was only one thing on her Christmas list and it had nothing to do with her.
Elcie-May Deakin-Walley is a nine-year-old girl with a big heart. Rather than wanting gifts for herself, she asked her parents and friends to help her collect food and bedding for homeless dogs. It was to benefit the 80 dogs that were spending Christmas at City Dogs Home in Bucknall.
The young girl’s mother, Marti Walley, is proud of the determination that her daughter shows. Not only was she able to follow through on her promise to donate 12 cans of dog food given to her in place of her own Christmas gift by her parents, she took it a step further. The young girl was busy handing out flyers at the elementary school where she attended and she sold loom bracelets in the local pub. When it was all tallied up, 330 pounds of dog food and blankets were delivered to City Dogs Home on Saturday.
Elcie-May has a deep love for animals and hopes to work with animals as she gets older, either as a veterinarian or a dog trainer. She also has 3 dogs of her own, including a rescued German Shepherd (Connie) and to schnauzers (Misty and Tiny).
Connie was found 4 years ago in bad condition because she was abandoned and tied to a tree. Andrew Deakin, Elcie-May’s father, thinks that providing her with the opportunity to nurture Connie back to health had an impact on her daughter that led to these inspirational events. Now she wants to help as many other dogs as she possibly can.
Vicky Phillips is the manager at the local shelter who benefited from this generosity. She is grateful that this young girl took the initiative to help dogs, especially during the time of year when many people abandon their pets.
“Every little bit counts. Elcie-May has been lovely. The bedding, especially, is something we really needed.”
Elcie-May is happy with her accomplishment and what she was able to do for the dogs that City Dogs Home. As you might imagine, she is not yet ready to slow down her efforts. As a matter of fact, plans are already underway for a bigger collection drive to help with the shelter next Christmas. This is one awesome little girl!
(Images: Stokes Sentinel UK, Bucknall City Dogs Home)
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