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.

My wildlife rehabilitation journey started with All Things Wild. That’s where I learned what it really means to care for wild lives; up close, hands on, and with a lot of heart. One of the things that still makes me smile is feeding baby birds. They eat every 15 minutes from sunup to sundown. We would set a timer, and like clockwork, the second it went off, the room would come alive. Every tiny beak open, and every voice calling out at once. It was loud, chaotic, and beautiful. As each baby bird was fed, they would settle down, one by one the room got quieter until silence filled the air. Then 15 minutes later it was a perfect choir of cacophony again. That experience shaped so much of how I see animals and the role we play in their lives. And that’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this with you. This Saturday, April 4 at 11 AM PST, we’re having our first live stream inside the community, and Helen Laughlin, the founder of All Things Wild, will be joining us. She’s going to talk about something that matters more than most people realize. How to know when an animal truly needs our help, and when the most loving thing we can do is step back and allow them to be babies in nature to do what they are meant to do. If you’ve ever come across an animal and wondered what to do, this will be a really meaningful conversation. And a little piece that is very close to my heart too. The children’s book I wrote, Love Doesn’t Stink, was inspired during my time rehabilitating skunks with All Things Wild, and the net proceeds go back to support their care and protection. Mark your calendars, I’d love for you to join us on Saturday.

March 23rd is National Puppy Day and Cuddly Kitten Day 🤍 A gentle reminder of how much love, comfort, and joy these little souls bring into our lives. If you have a special furry one in your life, give them an extra cuddle today. ❤️ They never ask for much… just love.

I came across this little bird and honestly, this little creature feels like something out of a painting. The common kingfisher is small, but incredibly powerful. They can dive into the water at speeds up to 25 mph to catch fish, and it depends on clean, clear water to survive. What amazed me most is how it sees. They have a special transparent eyelid that acts like goggles when it dives, and its eyes are designed to see both above and below the water. Even their colors are a bit of magic. That bright blue isn’t actually pigment…it’s light reflecting off its feathers. A tiny bird… built with precision and beauty. How incredible is this masterpiece of nature? 💙🧡🤍

I am cat sitting for a friend for a week and my time is on the tail end. She has two beautiful meows that miss her a lot. One meow, Sally, allows me to see her, and last night while I took a catnap with her sister, Pearl, decided I wasn’t the cat eater she thought I was and showed herself after 5 days. Pearl is a flame point Siamese with stunning blue eyes and a gray smudge mark on her face that tempts me to do a mama wash, and her sister Sally is fluffy orange meow, with a sweet face and beautiful green eyes. She took a few moments this morning to decide if my big toe tasted like chicken and I am going with no, since she traded that in for a shoulder massage and belly rub before she strolled over to the breakfast I made for her. I started this post while she munched to share a quote I read from my Tid Bit newsletter today; it felt like Truth to me and I hope it lands with you too. “Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.” ~ John Updike May this bring peace, knowing, and encouragement if needed, as you keep sharing your gifts with nature, animals, and the world. Every dream has a purpose. Let it shine. ❤️ The picture is of the 3 mule deer that just strolled past the window, Mama and 2 yearlings. 😊