Yesterday I had my first real life meetup with another Skool community. I drove up to Vancouver, BC and met up with six incredible women. We spent the morning walking along the seawall near Granville Island, talking, laughing, and just enjoying being outside together. Along the way, I found myself completely pulled into the world around me. I am like the cliche "squirrel" when I see an animal. This wonder experience started on the drive up when I saw two crows in the city. One had just picked up a long, skinny twig, the kind that looks like it was made for nest building. It felt a little late in the season for that, but this is the Pacific Northwest, and things don’t always follow the rules. Later, walking along the water, I noticed a crow carrying something black and shiny. I couldn’t quite make it out at first. I kept thinking it was a rock. I did attempt to get closer to find out, but you can imagine how well that went for me. Then I saw another crow down on the rocky shoreline with the same thing, and this time I could see it clearly. It was a mussel. I stopped without even thinking about it, letting the group walk ahead. The mussel was sealed tight, and the crow was working it against the rocks, scraping and tapping, trying to find a way in. Then the crow wedged the shell into a crack between the rocks, hinge side up, and started working its beak into that tiny opening. I watched in awe as they worked their beak into the opening. Over and over, they pressed in, opening their beak like a pair of pliers before pulling back, adjusting, and trying again. Finally, they got just enough leverage that the shell started to break apart and the crow could get to the mussel inside. I didn’t take a video or a picture. I just stood there watching, completely caught up in how brilliant this bird was using their beak like a tool. Ingenious. And that alone would have been enough to keep my heart happy for the rest of the day but I then saw another crow tugging at what looked like stuffing from a cushion. I don’t know how something like that randomly ended up on the rocks, but there it was. The bird kept pulling and gathering the little kismet gift until it had a soft bundle it could carry off. Again, perfect nesting material.

Today I want to start the week by saying how much I appreciate all of you. For believing in me. For supporting me. For teaching me. For your patience, your ideas. And dare I say, for loving me. For all of that, I just want to say thank you. Wishing you a beautiful Monday as meaningful as what you’ve given here. Thank you 🤍

I got a lot of feedback on my t-shirt test, one being my Skool logo. 50% of people had zip idea what my logo was. I got snail antennas, Kraken, sea creature, snakes, etc. Most did see the heart though, so that was a plus. So, instead of reverting back to my childhood nightmare of my drawing disability and tossing it out, I attempted to make it 10% better. 😂👏 I need your honest opinion. I’m not looking for atta boys, I’m looking for feedback that will improve visibility for our community. Lay it on me. 🤣 1st photo before. Second photo after.

Good morning everyone. Came across this video in my feed this this morning and thought to share. https://youtube.com/shorts/7yJX5QIRm1k?si=d_cuaYjWTbwwoiWr

One of the toughest parts of loving an animal is having to say goodbye. Just typing that brings up tears for me, because it doesn’t get easier. Some people swear they will never get another companion because it hurts too much to lose them and I understand why they feel that way. I can only say this. They loved you just as much, and you were both blessed to have each other. But the question was asked, how do we know when it is time? Being an ordained Animal Chaplain, I do believe animals are more connected than we are in many ways. They don’t carry the same ego we do, and there is something very natural in how they move through life and death. You’ll often see changes in their body and habits. They may slow down, stop eating, withdraw, or hide. That instinct to hide is real. It’s part of how animals protect themselves when they feel vulnerable. They won’t show their weakness. But here’s the hard truth about when that time comes. Animals don’t always “decide” on their own, sometimes they need us to make that decision for them. And that’s where this becomes one of the most loving and heartbreaking responsibilities we will ever carry. Of course, your vet should always be part of the conversation. There are physical things to look at like pain, eating, mobility, quality of life. But even with all of that, there is still that moment you will need to decide. And I wish I could tell you how to recognize that without question, but I can’t. Because even when you know, you still question it. And then there is that all too familiar guilt trip we humans love to put ourselves through, "Did I make the right decision". All of us take on this responsibility when we bring an animal into our lives. We love them, care for them, grow with them and that is for all of their life. And when the time comes, we carry them through the end of it too. We all have our own beliefs, and we cannot judge or second guess a guardian’s decision, even when we are tempted to ask, “are you sure?” Unless we are living in that exact moment with that animal, we don’t know.