The July 4th weekend seems like the perfect time to celebrate Baby's new beginning and her freedom to simply be an elephant. 🐘💚 Freedom isn't just opening a gate. Sometimes it's hearing birds instead of crowds. Sometimes it's feeling mud instead of concrete. Sometimes it's having the choice to wander... or simply stay close to the barn until you're ready. After spending her entire life in captivity, first in a circus and later at a busy amusement park, Baby enjoying her new life at Global Sanctuary for Elephants. When the sanctuary team first met her, they noticed repetitive swaying, a behavior often seen in elephants living with chronic stress or limited stimulation. Since arriving at sanctuary, that behavior has already begun to lessen as she explores a world filled with new sounds, scents, grasses, palms, ponds, and mud wallows. Baby is enjoying her newfound freedom: She can take a bath when she wants. She can dust herself whenever she chooses. She can scratch against a post, explore her habitat, or spend time in her barn if that's where she feels most comfortable. Those choices finally belong to her. To me, that's what freedom looks like. For now, Baby is living in her own habitat while her medical evaluations are completed. When she's ready, she'll have the opportunity to meet the other elephants at her own pace. If you'd like to learn more about Baby's journey or support the incredible work of Global Sanctuary for Elephants here is the link. 💚🐘 As we celebrate the July 4th weekend, I'm grateful that Baby is finally getting the chance to simply be an elephant. I'm also sharing a video of Scott giving Baby a bath. Elephants love water, mud baths, and dust baths to help keep their skin healthy. Baby didn't receive many baths before arriving at sanctuary, so this everyday luxury has been a wonderful treat for her. Enjoy watching Baby get some love with the simple pleasures of being an elephant

If you could spend one day observing any wild animal in its natural habitat, what would you choose?

Yes, I'm fully aware someone here is laughing... Okay... now that the twelve-year-olds have finished giggling... 😂 Clear the room... About a month ago, I realized I had stopped creating. I felt stuck, disconnected from my purpose, and honestly wondered where I belonged. So I made myself one simple promise. Show up every day. Nothing huge. Just keep moving, and each day I would quietly say, "Done." One day became a week. A week became two. Before I knew it, I had completely lost track of the count. Then yesterday... 🔥 popped up next to my name in Skool. It took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting it. I was genuinely proud of myself and a self-high-five ensued. Not only am I celebrating that this girl is on 🔥, I'm celebrating keeping a promise to myself. If you've been waiting until you feel motivated, inspired, or "ready," maybe don't. Pick one small thing that matters to you and simply show up, if only for a few minutes. One "Done" may not seem like much. But enough "Dones" can change the way you see yourself. Here's to showing up, one day at a time.

Working with animals isn't easy. As a wildlife rehabilitator, you have about a 50% chance of successfully raising an orphaned animal to the point it can be released. Every baby you take in comes with hope and the risk of heartbreak. Then, if you succeed, another kind of heartbreak begins. You open that carrier, watch them disappear into the wild, and wonder, "Did I do enough? Will they make it?" I'm only a parent of paws, but if you've ever raised children or become an empty nester, you probably understand that feeling. You do everything you can, then you have to let them go and trust they'll find their own way. For five years I rehabilitated wildlife for All Things Wild while also serving as their grant writer. Finding money for animals is never easy. People often think nonprofits simply apply for grants and the money appears. Most grants are small, and fundraisers and community support are what keep the doors open. Before wildlife rehabilitation, I founded a feral cat rescue, created the 501(c)(3), raised the money, trapped cats, organized adoptions, and helped more than 500 cats. I've lived this work from every angle. That's why I know it takes a community to save animals. So why do I do what I do? Because I can't imagine my life without animals. And I can't imagine reaching the end of my life knowing I didn't fully use the gifts GOD gave me to help them. That's why I created Empowering Animals. I know I can't save them all. But together, we can save far more than any of us could alone.

One of the things I love most is watching people come together and create something none of us could have created alone. I'm a member of a painting community called Painting for Drawing Dropouts, led by @Michelle Cyr who is also a member here in Empowering Animals. Recently, Michelle shared a story about an event she participated in where she invited 50 people to help paint a picture. Most told her they were worried they would ruin it. The only person who wasn't afraid was a four-year-old who simply picked up a brush and painted with abandon. She stated she wished she could give us all permission to paint like a four-year-old. To create without fear, to have fun and to simply enjoy the process. Since I've been experimenting with writing songs, I took what Michelle shared, combined it with what I've learned from her and my experiences in the group, and wrote a song inspired by her message. Then the magic of community took over. Michelle asked for a graphic to go with the song, and Kate Mack took that a step further and created a music video instead. What started as a simple conversation became something meaningful, fun, and beautiful because multiple people brought their talents and passion together. And if you watch closely, you might recognize a few familiar faces. Michelle definitely made it into the video, and I'm pretty sure I did too. Those glasses are a dead giveaway. Once I saw them, I just KNEW that was me. 😁 I've watched this video more times than I can count. Not only is it beautifully done and a lot of fun, but it also reminds me of the mission behind Empowering Animals. Animals are why we're here. But it takes people willing to share their gifts, talents, and hearts to create something beautiful. When we come together with a shared purpose, amazing things happen. Enjoy the video. ❤️🐾