Early last Thursday morning, just as the light was breaking over the mountains to the east, Savannah passed away. I believe that everything that lives is a container for the sacred. Each blade of grass, each squirrel and bug, every dog, cat, horse, fish, ape, human, and all the trees in the forest—everything is a [...]
What if you’re passionate about compassion, but still working on building your heart into the nuts and bolts of everyday life? What if you care deeply about the forest, but keep forgetting to bring that canvas grocery sac to the store when you shop? Do you write letters to your representatives every time a new [...]
Hard to believe another Labor Day weekend has come and gone. Is it just me, or does each summer go by faster than the one before? No matter. Whenever September rolls around it feels like time to go back to school. But if taking a class at the local college isn’t your cup of tea, [...]
Once you’ve made the commitment to a holistic approach to looking after the animals in your care—starting with excellent nutrition in a safe, nurturing environment—you’ve laid a good foundation for maintaining their health and happiness. But as conscientious as you are, there may come a day when your best efforts can’t prevent an illness or [...]
In Jingling, China, sixteen humans have died of rabies since the beginning of the year. The governor issues an order to kill all dogs within five kilometers of each of those deaths. Rabies squads arrive with clubs and pitchforks, pull dogs from their families, and cart the bodies away. In Petaluma, California, diners clink glasses [...]
Every year about this time, Peña Adobe Park near Vacaville, California, fills up with thirty or forty dogs or more, most of whom outweigh the average human teenager, and all of whom have endured abandonment, abuse, or in some cases imminent execution. This is the annual Great Dane Walk sponsored by Great Dane Rescue of [...]
Summertime is play time, and that means we’re on the go more than ever. Long days lend themselves to after-work jaunts to the park, and warm weekends invite us to head for the beach or an overnight campout. With all the fun to be had, who wants to spend hours in the kitchen cooking dinner? [...]
For five days straight the temperature has soared above 105 degrees. The humidity stays low in this part of the world—often below twenty percent, sometimes into single digits—so it’s easier to beat the heat here than in more humid climates. But we live “off the grid,” and our solar power system can’t handle the energy [...]
Savannah invented a new game this morning. That might not sound impressive, but for a 12½-year-old Great Dane dealing with some age-related disability, I think it’s worth writing home about. She’s always been more of a morning person than I am, but lately it’s become difficult for her to get out of bed without assistance, [...]
I went outside just after sunrise to say good morning to my horses, Tess and Tomar, as they came for their usual early visit at the edge of the deck. It was good to feel the warm sun after so many weeks of California’s winter rain. The air smelled like spring, with the sweet lilacs [...]