Juneteenth reminds us that freedom grows strongest when we recognize the dignity and humanity in one another. The journey continues. Illustration created with the help of ChatGPT, inspired by the values of unity, empathy, and shared humanity.*** Every year on June 19th, Americans observe Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned […]
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On Thursday, I stood in my backyard watching a massive plume of smoke rise above Tracy from a warehouse fire, and days later, firefighters are still trying to put it out. Thankfully, the wind has been blowing away from our neighborhood, but the sight was impossible to ignore. My thoughts immediately turned to the employees
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Image Credit: Illustration created with the assistance of ChatGPT to accompany my personal reflection on Pope Leo. This image is an artistic interpretation and not an official photograph.I was not raised Catholic. My father was Catholic, and my mother was raised in the Christian Science faith. After they married, my mother converted to Catholicism, but
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Some life lessons arrive gently, and others land with enough force to change the way we think forever. My sweet Teddy taught me one of those lessons. When Teddy became ill, I found myself traveling a road I had never expected to travel. Like many pet parents, I believed I was prepared. I had always provided
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There are seasons in life when simply getting through the day feels like enough. The past several months have certainly felt that way for my family. Between back-to-back health issues, medical appointments, unexpected tests, and the heartbreaking loss of Teddy, life has demanded a great deal of attention and energy. While I have been focused
Growing More Than Vegetables Read More »
Last night, Bear surprised me. I was watching a nature documentary about the frozen north when a large wolf suddenly appeared on the television screen. This was not a quick glimpse of an animal running through the woods. The wolf filled much of the screen and stared directly forward with intense yellow eyes. Instantly, Bear
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A report from Bear, Golden Retriever, and Chief Food Quality Inspector Recently, my doctor informed Mom that I was too skinny. Personally, I preferred the term “athletically streamlined,” but apparently there was concern. During my dental cleaning appointment, the veterinary staff noticed that I weighed only 48.8 pounds and thought I was underweight. They even
Operation: Gain a Few Pounds Read More »
Every morning, Bear begins his daily investigation of our backyard. I usually step outside and notice the weather. I admire the greenhouse, check on my plants, and enjoy the quiet start to the day. The yard looks exactly as it did the evening before. Bear sees something entirely different. Recently, I began listening to Alexandra
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Hi friends, I would like to tell you about something very important. Most people think a dog’s job is chasing balls, barking at suspicious squirrels, or protecting the family from dangerous delivery drivers. Those are all important jobs. I take them very seriously. But there is another job that is even more important. The job is
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There is a reason so many people seek solace in animals during life’s hardest moments. Not because animals magically erase depression, anxiety, grief, or loneliness. They can’t solve every problem, but they offer what many hurting people most need: presence, comfort, consistency, and understanding without judgment. And sometimes that’s enough to help someone keep going.
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