@Kate Galli asked me to share a little about myself, and I immediately went into a writing spiral. I'd write, rewrite, set it down, pick it back up... I've traveled down so many avenues that it's hard not to make a book out of it. Today, completely unrelated to my spiral, I was digging through some of the stories I write when my heart gets full. It's my way of releasing emotions. I grabbed Feral and Free, thinking it was about Silly Boy, my inspiration behind C.L.A.W.S., the TNR feral cat rescue I founded in 1996. I was shocked to discover it wasn't about Silly Boy at all. It was about me. This one I wrote about 12 years ago, right about the time I stopped drinking. Rereading it today, I realize just how deeply I believed my journey hadn't begun yet. Just recently, while I stood at my kitchen sink washing dishes, I had a life-affirming aha moment. I realized I had actually begun that journey 30 years ago. This story shares a little about me. The journey continues. Enjoy.

A little over a month ago, many of us watched in disbelief as Snow's nest from the Great Lakes Bald Eagle Cam in Traverse City, Michigan, collapsed to the ground. It was one of those moments every eagle watcher hopes they'll never witness. Today, there's reason to smile. Snow is continuing to recover after being transferred from North Sky Raptor Sanctuary to Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center, where she is receiving specialized care. Her injuries included fractures to both wings, and she also battled a serious respiratory infection during rehabilitation. Thanks to dedicated veterinary care, splinting, physical therapy, and plenty of determination, Snow has made a full respiratory recovery, and her wing fractures continue to heal. Even more fun, DNA testing revealed that Snow is a female! ❤️ She is now progressing through rehabilitation with adult bald eagle foster parents, who will help her develop the social and flight skills she'll need before returning to the wild. The goal remains to release her once she's fully flight-ready. As if that wasn't enough excitement for eagle watchers this season, another nest collapse occurred on June 28 at the Arconic Marsh Eagle Cam in Riverdale, Iowa. Thankfully, Liberty and Justice's eaglets, Artemis and Apollo, were later spotted near the original tree on July 2, 2026, feeding and appearing unharmed. The eaglets may have fledged slightly earlier than usual but are likely still in the area and being cared for by their parents. Nature can be heartbreaking. But sometimes it also reminds us just how resilient these magnificent birds can be. We're all cheering for you, Harry, Harriette, Snow, Liberty, Justice, Artemis, and Apollo. May you all continue to fly free beneath the open sky. ❤️🦅

This month, our Empowering Animals community chose to share our hearts to help protect Moon Camp, and I wanted to share an encouraging update. As of today, $4,353,385 has been raised toward the $10 million needed by July 31. That may still sound like a daunting goal, but look how far thousands of small acts of kindness have already taken this campaign. Every donation, every share, and every conversation has helped move it forward. One of the most inspiring parts of this story is that adults aren't carrying this mission alone. When elementary school students learned that Moon Camp could be developed, they didn't just talk about it. They got to work. They've organized lemonade stands, bake sales, created and sold origami eagles, written letters to businesses and community leaders, and spread the word throughout their community. When asked why, their answer was simple. They wanted to help. These kids are the animals' future, and it gives me so much hope to see them stepping up to make a difference. If you'd like to join them and share some more love with Jackie and Shadow's wild home before the July 31 deadline, you can learn more or donate at here. ❤️ Photos shared with permission and courtesy of SaveMoonCamp.org

All of us here share a love of animals, but every one of us has a different story. Does your story begin with a special animal, a moment, or an experience that made animals such an important part of your life? I’d love to hear your story. You never know who else it might inspire or connect with it. ❤️

I started adopting Twiggy the giraffe from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for my grand-niece when she was born in December 2023. What makes this even more special is that Everly absolutely loves giraffes now. Today I received a wonderful update on Twiggy. After spending more than eight months living completely wild, Twiggy surprised everyone by returning home to Kaluku for a visit. She wandered through the sanctuary as if she'd never been away, greeting the keepers who raised her and slipping right back into her old routine with the elephants, zebras, buffalo, and antelopes. The best part is that she looks healthy, happy, and is clearly thriving in the wild. That has always been the goal: to give orphaned animals the chance to return to a life where they belong, while knowing they'll always have a safe place to come home to if they choose. SWT also had their curiosity answered. After being swept off her feet by a handsome wild bull giraffe in November last year, everyone wondered if Twiggy would return as a mom-to-be. But giraffes have a gestation period of about 15 months, and she's not showing any signs of pregnancy. It looks like motherhood will need to wait a little longer while she continues enjoying her wild adventures. Welcome home for now, Twiggy. ❤️🦒