50 degrees in January.

The sky clear and blue. 

Rumi, all 4 years of her, galloped off. 

The park advertised itself as being fenced in. 

Not a worry to be had.

But the silence in the minutes that followed began to gather weight.

The weight of when you *know* something’s gone wrong, you just haven’t seen it yet.

A few frantic minutes later Rumi was found just beyond a gaping hole in the fence.

The driver that struck Rumi did stop. 

To save Rumi’s life was not a question, but doing so required days of specialized hospital care, and a surgery to remove her back leg.

Rumi is home now, and she is recovering. 

For 20 years Dawn Mehan/Smelser has been leading yoga classes, trainings and retreats at studios and centers throughout Philadelphia (and across the globe!). 

Her nickname “Ma” or “MotherHeart” is understood the moment she greets you. It’s a completeness and gentleness of presence that is difficult to capture in words.

And just as devotedly as she seeks to embody the practice of yoga, she seeks to share it and skillfully guide others— so that they might find happiness, might find healing, might find peace.

Help Raise Rumi Together. This GoFundMe campaign will help to offset the sudden, significant costs incurred for Rumi’s life-saving care. 

Every dollar makes a difference.