If you’ve been with me for a while, you’ll know GGT was born out of my time running a rescue. It was messy, beautiful, exhausting, and one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done. And yet, you’ll also know I don’t do rescue work anymore.
The question comes up often – why did you stop?
The truth? It’s layered. And I’ve never been good at giving neat, tidy answers. I overshare. Always have. But honestly? That’s part of who I am, and part of what makes GGT what it is – a real person behind the brand, connecting with real people.
The Honest Bit
Here’s something I wrote recently to someone who asked me about rescue work:
“I do think it was time to give it a break. I found out the kids’ dad had ADHD and BPD, quickly followed by my daughter being diagnosed with ADHD too. With that stress and the time animal care needed, it was just getting a lot. I even said that when the pets pass now, I need a break from extra care. I had to take time for myself too – I’m bipolar and unmedicated, but I do intense daily therapy to stay on top of it. It’s been suggested I may have ASD and ADHD myself.”
That’s a lot, right? But that’s life – it’s rarely simple. And for me, juggling rescue, parenting, and mental health meant I had to make a really hard call: step back.
Purpose vs. Burnout
I loved rescue work. It gave me purpose when I felt like I’d lost myself. But it was also draining – mentally, physically, emotionally. Rescue doesn’t clock off at 5pm. You carry it with you, and it takes a toll.
“I do think with how mentally and physically draining it is, that was the best thing I could have done for the time being. I needed more flexibility – which unfortunately you don’t get with rescue work. I hope I can go back to it eventually though.”
I still hope that. But right now, GGT is my way of staying connected to that passion – helping animals, supporting rescues, and creating something positive out of all of it.
Why I Overshare (And Why I Won’t Stop)
Some people would tell me to keep it professional. Polished. But here’s the thing – I don’t want GGT to feel corporate or distant. I want you to know the person behind the treats. I want you to feel safe sharing your stories too.
Everyone has their own journey – whether it’s pets, parenting, or mental health – and I love that GGT has become a place where those conversations happen. Where we connect. Where we remind each other we’re not alone.
What This Means for GGT
I might not be rescuing animals directly anymore, but GGT was built on that rescue foundation. That’s why we support rescues with donations, bundles, and fundraising. It’s why everything I create is about enrichment, welfare, and natural behaviours – the things I learned first-hand in rescue.
And it’s why, even when I overshare, I wouldn’t change it – because connection is what makes GGT special.
Want to support rescues while spoiling your pets?
Check out this week’s Forage Favourites Mega Mix or the brand-new Layered Enrichment Boxes – every order helps us give back to the rescue community that started it all.
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