It was a great week for Good, perhaps the best week in several years, if not ever.  The Army Of Good is a light unto the world, a model and an inspiration.

I understand the news from the outside world was bleak and disheartening, but here, we make our own news, and the stories were uplifting and reaffirming. We are not defined by them.

“At times like this,” wrote Monica, “your blog restores my faith in humanity.”

Thanks, Monica, my blog and the Army Of Good restores my humanity almost every day, I can’t begin to explain how these small acts of great kindness have helped me to grow and open in difficult times.

Another remarkable thing emerged this week, the students at Bishop Maginn High School embraced Zinnia as a white spirit animal, with great powers to bring about change and good.

Zinnia has come into her own. I’m not sure how to deal with it.

I am not one to put supernatural powers and other projections onto dogs, but Zinnia’s ability to lift people is not something I have witnessed before, and I want to be careful about what I make of it, and how much I embrace.

I want her to be a content dog, not a mystical spirit. I also want her to do as much good as a dog can do; that’s why I worked so hard to find her and bring her home. But I don’t need for her to be a saintly dog.

She is a dream come true for me, one I need to keep in perspective.

I never thought of Zinnia in this way, and I am reluctant to put all of that on a sweet and fun-loving puppy.  She seems like the best of the Lab – gentle, forgiving, loving and fun.

Zinnia is nothing if not innocent. We project too much onto our dogs, but I am amazed at the impact Zinnia has on people wherever she goes.

There is something about her I can’t explain,  but I see how people react to her, perhaps she is a magnet for good. And I respect the wisdom of children, they know a lot more than we give them credit for knowing, especially before they learn to hide what they think.

The students helped me to understand that in multiple cultures around the world, various white animals have been designated as sacred based on legends and myth. While the animals differ, in many cultures, the birth or appearance of a white animal is an indication of a new era of peace and restored balance.

How great that would be.

These animals are believed to represent purity, spiritual fulfillment, and attainment. The mystical white animals range from bears to lions to peacocks to dogs to buffalo, even to the white elephants of Southeast Asia.

This week, we answered every request from the seniors at Bishop Maginn High School for the things they want to make their graduation memorable and festive, but could never afford on their own.

I wish I had to words to say what your generosity will mean to them, for the refugee children, graduating high school in America is a seminal event in their lives. Thanks to you, they will mark it well and in a respectful and festive way. This is so important to them, and you made it possible.

Many of the items are symbols of graduation customs in their native countries. Graduation is a huge deal o these children.

Your generosity is a loud and clear vote for compassion and love and empathy.

Earlier this week, we also sold out a Mansion Wish List for dance and other music. It got less attention, but it will get some of the residents to dance, and that is a beautiful thing.

The graduating seniors only asked for eight CD’s; the list sold out quickly, the music is on the way. I love to think of the Mansion residents dancing.

I almost forgot to mention that we also got scrubs for each one of the Mansion aides. This will not only help them be comfortable and efficient, but it will also save them a good chunk of money. When the scrubs are unpacked, I’ll take a photo of them. (I’d like to refresh the Mansion/Refugee Fund, which got a pretty good workout these past few weeks), you can contribute, if you wish via Paypal, [email protected] or by check, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Please mark payments “Mansion/Refugee Fund.”

I am humbled by what we have done in the past few days. This week, we also raised about $2,000 to take care of Susan Popper’s dog Sally’s medical problems, and also to get her to her new home.

One very generous blog reader offered this morning to make up the difference between what we have raised and what we need.

It was beautiful, the way people all over the country reached into their pockets to help a terrified little dog without a home. You didn’t know the dog, you didn’t know the owner, you could have simply looked away.

The plight of the dog helped me understand just how sick Susan was, I feel sorrow and compassion for her, I am relieved we got a place for her dog to live (Donna found the home).

Thanks for your help with that. Dogs are among the most adaptable of creatures. Sally has adjusted well to her temporary home, she will find another human being to love. This is the last chapter of the Susan story, I think, the last thing to do for someone who needed so much help.

Wherever she is,  I hope she is resting easier now.

Thanks for giving Sally the chance for a new and better life.

We also found a way to help Susan Popper, who died a week ago today. Many of you know from her writing and photography online. We made sure she died in comfort and peace, and with dignity.

Humanity lives, even thrives, given the chance.

I know this is a hard time for many people in many ways, but I see us as a movement, keeping the idea of empathy and compassion alive. I am a bit spun out but very proud.

This was a good week for good.