What Sustainability Means to Our Business

Connemara Donkey M’asal Beag Dubh illustration on Reusable Cotton and Jute Bags

A sustainable business ‘sometimes called a green business’ is one that aims to minimise its negative impact on the environment, community, and society, while creating a positive contribution wherever possible.

At its heart, sustainability is about making conscious choices—choosing to use less, waste less, and do better.

Sustainability means different things to different people, and I’m not here to tell you what it should mean to you. But I would love to share what it means to me, and how it shapes every decision we make as a business.

Sustainability Starts With Every Product Decision

For me, being sustainable means thinking carefully before introducing any new product into our range.

Every product we create goes through a detailed decision-making process. Before anything reaches production, I ask:

• What raw materials are required?

• What environmental impact will those materials have?

• What happens to the product at the end of its life?

• Can it be reused, recycled, or biodegrade naturally?

• How will it be packaged?

• What packaging is needed for shipping?

If a product doesn’t align with our values and business ethos, it simply doesn’t get made.

Our Commitment to Reducing Waste

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing our planet, and we are committed to not contributing to that problem.

That’s why our mission is simple: to create products using natural, sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable materials wherever possible.

Our packaging reflects that same commitment. We use materials that are:

• Reused whenever possible

• Made from recycled materials

• Fully biodegradable or recyclable

Choosing Safer, Eco-Friendly Materials

We use non-toxic, water-based inks in our printing process, helping to prevent harmful chemicals from entering waterways and ecosystems.

Whenever possible, we choose natural materials that have not been chemically treated or unnecessarily dyed, ensuring our products are as gentle on the planet as they are beautiful.

Most importantly, we only create products that we genuinely believe in—products we proudly use in our own homes.

Taking a Stand Against Plastic Pollution

Introducing our reusable jute and cotton shopping bags was an important step in our sustainability journey.

By offering plastic-free, biodegradable alternatives, we help our eco-conscious customers make more sustainable choices in everyday life—without compromising on style or quality.

Designed to Be Kind

Every product we create is designed with one guiding principle:

Designed To Be Kind

Kind to you.
Kind to the environment.
Kind to the animals that inspire our designs.

Our Ongoing Sustainability Mission

Sustainability is a journey, not perfection.

We may not get everything right 100% of the time, but we are committed to continually improving, making better choices, supporting animals in need, and doing our part to create a healthier planet for future generations.

That commitment will always remain at the heart of our business.

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)

Why I Paint Connemara Donkeys | Irish Animal Artist Rachel Dubber

Why Donkeys? ‘Because I love them’ was the reply I gave to a question a couple of months ago, when I launched my new eco-friendly giftware range. To me the answer made total sense, but not to those who don't know me or my background.

They asked to know more.......Why Donkeys???

Introducing the M’asal Beag Dubh Cotton Apron

This is how it all began, well, some of the story anyway, it's hard to write a short story about the launch of a product with a lifetime of experiences behind it's coming to fruition. 

When it comes to animals I have what some may describe as ‘a serious addiction to any kind,' no matter what the species, I love them all!  I cannot say I truly know where that passion comes from, only that I was born with it and it is imbedded deep in my heart and soul. This love was intensified by my upbringing in the heart of Connemara in the West of Ireland, which serves as a constant source of inspiration for my pieces. ​

My artworks are reflections of love, of passion, of respect, it is about the animals I portray, how their short lives here affect us so profoundly and without whom we would not have accomplished so much in history. I see my work as a tribute to them and a reminder for us, where would we be without them?

I cannot explain the how's and why's, when I see something I just know it's going to be an artwork. That is another of life's mysteries not everything has an explanation, it just happens, and when it happens it just flows.

So, now onto the Why Donkeys?

M’asal Beag Dubh

The West of Ireland is my home; I grew up and worked in the countryside and Hills of Connemara. The boreen’s, landscape and especially the animals are the source of my artistic inspiration; the West is a place that lives in my heart and soul. 

I know how harsh and how gentle the West can be, with her boglands, uneven terrain and quick changing weather; embraced warmly on a fine day and whipped to shreds when the weather turns. Ever changing and rewardingly beautiful, our landscape is always dotted by animals, mostly sheep, cows and of course, donkeys. That’s not to say there aren’t horses, there are, and that is story for another day….the Connemara Ponies of Western Ireland.

As a child I grew up on a farm where the only horse, a beautiful Connemara pony was strictly used for working, she pulled the cart, ploughed the fields and carried loads, but was never ridden, much to my disappointment, as all I craved for was a horse to ride. 

One of my friend's from a well to do family had two fat ponies grazing in her field, a show pony she had outgrown and the "new" pony to replace him. No one else was really allowed to ride them only her, that didn't stop me gazing longingly at them from over the garden wall, dreaming!  Our parents and grandparents were pretty strict when we growing up and you were punished if you disobeyed rules, so we never did sneak off to ride the ponies, besides the fact you would have to tell the priest in confession! Which terrified us more than a good hiding!

Anyway, another friend in the village had a donkey called Dottie, occasionally we would get to sit on her if she wasn’t working on the bog or let loose down the field with the cows. A beautiful brown shaggy haired donkey, Dottie was small in stature in comparison to a Connemara Pony or the Irish Draughts that lived in the next field, but she was still considered huge in the eyes of a child, and to me she was the next best thing to a horse. 

 ​​I remember fondly how she would bray loudly with delight when she heard us chattering walking up the laneway, our arms laden with freshly pulled carrots (plucked from my grandfathers veggie patch). She eagerly awaited our arrival at the gate, her long hairy ears twitching back and forth and her soft grey muzzle rested over the top of the gate, keenly nuzzling for treats.

My inspiration.

​Her huge brown eyes peeking out under a heavy fringe of tousled hair. I was besotted with her eyes and eyelashes and how she lit up at the sight of carrots coming towards her eagerly awaiting muzzle. Standing patiently as we climbed the gate and clambered up onto her back, the she would amble slowly around the field while being enticed by the reward of a juicy carrot.

​Dottie never went faster than a walk, only once did we manage to get her to break into a brief jog throwing carrots ahead of her down the field. She jogged off with me on her back and came to a sudden unexpected halt, at that point somersaulted over her head and crashed into a rock, it was a good lesson for us all. We never did try that again!

As long as the supply of tasty treats lasted Dottie was happy to entertain us, once she finished them all she would lower her head as if to say, that’s it I’m done, off you go now. It was here the seed of love for donkeys was planted and grew, my fascination with these humble, gentle eyed creatures could only grow, she was no noble steed, but she looked after us and made us smile.
When she wasn’t in the mood to entertain us she would head off up the field head down ignoring our calls. She taught us patience and respect. Even while she ignored us her long ears flopped back and forth listening to everything we said. 

So in a nutshell there is a little bit of insight into the influence of animals in my work. Dottie was the first donkey I fell in love with, who also taught me some valuable life lessons. She like all the other animals that have been in my life have taught me valuable life lessons.

​Donkeys are reminders of our heritage and our past, their place has evolved throughout history from lowly agricultural animal to a symbol of peace, currently our beloved donkeys can often be forgotten and end up neglected.  Which is why I have created a range of sustainable giftware that gives back a portion of my sale profits to support the Donkey Sanctuary of Ireland.

8 Comments

FINOLA HOWARDLINK

12/27/2018 01:24:54 am

Beautiful story that made me smile Rachel You made me remember a dog of mine “Charlie” - she was such a lovely spirited little character - a football enthusiast and cuddler extraordinaire. They are a gift aren’t they and teach us some profound lessons in the kindest of ways x

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RACHEL DUBBER

12/31/2018 12:41:21 am

Thank you Finola, they really are such treasures and what beautiful souls. I do believe each one brings something different to our lives, I just wish they would live longer. Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful 2019. X

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JOSHLINK

4/30/2019 02:50:42 am

You just changed my thoughts about donkeys, Rachel your writing show us that you are a lovely person and you have such pure thoughts.

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RACHEL DUBBER

4/30/2019 06:12:00 am

Josh, I am delighted you changed your thoughts on donkeys too. Thank you for the lovely comment.

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DEEPLINK

4/30/2019 05:34:00 am

I always wonder how people can love donkey, now i got the answer. You really inspired me to love them too!

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RACHEL DUBBER

4/30/2019 06:13:26 am

Delighted to hear that Deep, hope you have some nearby you can support or rescue. Thank you for the comment.

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GABRIEL ADRIAN FERRARILINK

10/30/2019 09:09:00 am

First treat donkey with respect they will be needed in the coming time/ I have 6 of them a little one just came last week I was in a group telling stories about donkeys:One neighbor has donkeys which sometimes cross the fence to other donkeys of the neighbor but how ? He install camera here is what he discovered: The alpha male found a place under the fence between the lower barb wire and ground and did like soldiers crawl with a special technique under the fence keeping the ears flat the rest did exactly like the boss round trip- they excel in mischief GBR TN USA//

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RACHEL

10/30/2019 11:33:45 am

Thank you Gabriel, I treat all animals with respect we own them a great deal of gratitude. Your story is very funny, I can only imagine them escaping under the fence! They are indeed mischievous and very quick learners. Enjoy your donkey escapades.