It has been a while since we last drove up to Arnold in the California Sierra foothills. A place that has always felt like home to me. The air carries a familiar scent of pine earth, which feels like a steadying hand on my shoulder. Unfortunately, California is prone to wildfires. Global warming has intensified …
Some days seem to spin too fast, the to-do list is long, the news is noisy, and even the dogs seem to sense the weight in the air. That’s when I like to turn things over to my in-house expert on calm living and soulful rest: Dr. Teddy. Today, he’s offering some wise (and very …
I remember the first time I saw a picture of Jane Goodall. It wasn’t in a textbook or a formal documentary. It was a simple, black-and-white photo of a young woman with a kind face and a blonde ponytail, sitting quietly in the forest, her gaze fixed on a family of chimpanzees. There was a …
This morning, something wonderful happened: I woke to the soft, steady sound of rain. Instead of rolling over in bed, I wanted to get outside and feel it. Rainy days hold a magic I can’t resist. Leaving Teddy and Bear home, I grabbed my umbrella and stepped into the quiet, rain-washed world. The October rains are …
I remember the first time I held each of my sons, that overwhelming wave of love and a silent promise to protect them forever. As a mother, you feel this instinct deep in your bones. But what happens when the world you’re preparing them for doesn’t fully understand how their mind works? This is a …
There’s a special magic in the first crisp fall day. You can feel the shift in the air, promising something cozy ahead. For me, fall is more than a season; it’s a series of small moments that bring warmth, reflection, and joy. It feels like the world takes a deep breath before winter arrives. After settling …
The teddy bear’s origin is a tale of compassion and creativity. It begins with an American president. In November 1902, President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt went on a hunting trip in Mississippi. The hunt was slow. To avoid sending the President home empty-handed, his guides cornered and tied a black bear to a willow tree for …
My path to leadership didn’t start in a classroom. After high school, I didn’t have the opportunity to attend college immediately because my family needed me, and I had to get a job to help my mother pay the bills. That early responsibility shaped so much of who I am. I spent years juggling work …
It feels like every time I turn on the news or scroll through my phone, there’s another headline that makes my shoulders tighten and my stomach clench. The world feels heavy right now, a complicated mix of uncertainty and division that can be hard to carry. Some days, it’s a genuine struggle to find the …
There are moments in life that feel like quiet secrets, small pockets of pure joy. For me, one of those moments comes almost every day when, after a long day, I sink into the couch. The gentle weight of either Teddy or Bear, my golden retrievers, settles on my knee. As I meet their eyes, …
The Unspoken Bond: Puppy Dog Eyes and What They Mean Read More »
