@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.

Hey all! Thank you for voting for the raptor @Michelle Cyr has so generously gifted as an original oil painting to be auctioned to raise money for the animals. Even more exciting, Michelle will be sharing video updates as Sam comes to life on the canvas. We'll get to follow his journey from the very first brushstroke to the finished masterpiece. I have created a new tab in the community called ❤️Creating for a Cause. If you don't see it on your screen, click the More button. Let's all send some love to Michelle for this incredible gift and buckle up for a wonderful adventure as she transforms a blank canvas into a beautiful portrait of Sam. 🦉

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. ❤️🦒

Only the female worker bee collects pollen. The hardworking ladies of the hive are responsible for: - 🌼 Collect pollen and nectar - 🏠 Build and maintain the hive - 🐝 Care for the brood - 🛡️ Defend the colony The male bees (drones) have a much simpler job: their primary purpose is to mate with a queen. They don't collect pollen or nectar, don't make wax, don't clean the hive, and don't defend it because they don't even have stingers. The next time you see a bee with bright yellow pollen packed onto her legs, you're watching one of nature's hardest workers in action. 💛🐝 📸 Picture shared by my sister. Click the photo to see the full scene. You'll spot a busy bee coming in for a landing! 👏

🐘 Welcome to Empowering Animals! I'm so glad you're here. Empowering Animals is a community for people who love animals and want to make a difference. Together, we discover trusted organizations, learn from experts, share inspiring stories, and explore meaningful ways to help animals around the world. Here you'll find: 🐾 Rescue spotlights and current needs 🌿 Wildlife and companion animal education ❤️ Inspiring stories and thoughtful conversations 🤝 Opportunities to support trusted organizations and make a real impact Whether you're here to learn something new, connect with fellow animal lovers, or discover ways to help, I hope you'll feel right at home. We'd love to get to know you! Introduce yourself in the comments below and tell us a little about what brings you to Empowering Animals. If you'd like, share where you're joining from and your favorite animal. We can't wait to meet you! If you'd like to stay connected and never miss a post or event, you can also download the Skool app: iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/skool-communities/id6447270545 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skool.skoolcommunities Thank you for being here and for caring about animals. Together, we really can make a difference. LM Sharron Ordained Animal Chaplain | Wildlife Rehabilitator Serving every life, big and small.