Supporting MADRA’s Annual Art Auction: The Story Behind “Hope”

Republished 1st January 2026

It’s hard to believe that time of year has come around again, when my local dog rescue shelter, MADRA, hosts its annual Art Auction fundraiser to support the dogs and puppies in its care.

Like many charitable organisations across Ireland, MADRA faced enormous challenges during the pandemic. With restrictions forcing them to close their doors to the public and operate with limited staff, it would have been easy to slow down, but they didn’t. They continued their work tirelessly, supported by an incredible community of volunteers, adopters, and kind-hearted donors. Whenever they ask for help, people always rally around them.

And that’s exactly why I wanted to share this story.

Why MADRA Means So Much to Me

MADRA is one of three animal charities that I proudly support. Their work focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming unwanted, neglected, abused, and abandoned dogs.

Last year, they were overwhelmed with unwanted dogs and puppies. It was during that time that I had the privilege of fostering my wonderful boy, a dog who brought light and joy back into a very broken heart.

(That’s a story for another blog post—please remind me to share it someday.)

Creating Art With Purpose

This year, when it came time to donate a piece of artwork for the auction, I wanted to create something deeply meaningful, something that directly reflected the work MADRA does every single day.

So, I spoke with Ciara, the event organiser, about the dogs that come through their shelter. One statistic immediately stood out to me: around 60% of the dogs they rescue are Collies.

That was all the inspiration I needed.

Over the next few weeks, in between busy days and quiet evenings at my desk, I slowly brought a Collie portrait to life. Piece by piece, a face began to emerge.

Naming the Artwork: “Hope”

Once the drawing was complete, I shared it on my Facebook page and asked my followers what they thought the dog should be called.

There were so many wonderful suggestions—but one stopped me in my tracks:

Hope.

The moment I read it, I knew it was right.

It wasn’t just a name—it was everything that MADRA represents.

Hope for a second chance.
Hope for a loving home.
Hope for a safer future.
Hope for someone who will cherish and protect them.

That is what MADRA gives every dog that comes through its doors.

And so, Hope became the title of the piece.

Supporting Rescue Dogs Through Art

Art has always been a powerful way for me to tell stories—and this year, I’m proud that my work can help tell the story of rescue, resilience, and new beginnings.

Supporting organisations like MADRA means supporting the belief that every dog deserves love, safety, and a second chance.

And that is something worth creating for.

She was collected during the week for framing and will reappear online for the Art Auction. This year MADRA have also had to adapt to the online platform due to the pandemic and restrictions. I will keep you posted as soon as I know the dates in early December.

’When I look into the eyes of an animal,I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I see a soul.'- A.D.Williams⠀⠀

Sustainable Irish Gifts Designed by Rachel Dubber

If you know me, or my work, you may have heard me say that my products are designed to be kind. But... what does that actually mean?

It means I do my best to be:

Kind to the planet: I put a lot of thought, research and care into each item that I bring to market. The products must be sustainable and ethically produced, with minimum negative impact on our planet.

Kind to animals: The animals that feature on my giftware are my inspiration, my passion and my joy. My way of showing my appreciation for that is to give back through my work – with a portion of sales profits from my giftware going directly to a selection of Irish animal charities.

Kind to people: My customers mean the world to me. I’ve been dealing with many of them for years and now consider them my friends. I pack my products in the way that I would like to receive gifts, with thought and meaning. And I try to thank each and every person that buys from me, I do my best to add value and bring joy to them through what I create. For me, kindness and compassion go hand in hand. A gesture like feeding a stray dog, saying "hello" to a stranger, remembering to recycle and cooking an extra plate of food to give to someone less fortunate may seem insignificant. But those small gestures make an immediate difference to the recipient and to us.

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” (The 14th Dalai Lama)