Toto, Natibu, and Mwinzi have officially graduated to the Ithumba Reintegration Unit through Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and their story is beautiful. These three young elephants each came from heartbreaking beginnings. One rescued during drought, one trapped in a manhole, and one tiny baby guided to rescuers by the ex-orphan elephants themselves. Graduating to Tsavo National Park to prepare them for the wild is very scary for these babies. They don't want to leave the home they currently have, and especially not their Keepers who have become their foster moms. They prepare these babies for months before, knowing this is the next step for them to live the life they were always meant to live. The heart, soul and love that goes into raising orphaned elephants can never be explained with my words, so I am including this heartwarming story about Toto, Natibu, and Mwinzi below. Elephants are such a beautiful example of a matriarch society. Loving, nurturing, protective, and deeply connected to those they love. With Mother’s Day approaching, adopting an elephant through Sheldrick Wildlife Trust also makes a meaningful gift for someone who loves animals and wildlife. The adoption link is included in the full story about Toto, Natibu & Mwinzi Graduating. Love comes in all shapes and sizes.

Hey all: Just in case you are wondering where I went, I wanted to stop in and let you know I am still here. I have finally buckled down and kicked the fear and doubt to the curb. I spent the weekend learning, building, and enjoying finishing off my POD business, Cause & Chaos. I still have some things to complete, but I will share more when I am done. Enjoy your day, LM

This is Bean. She couldn’t resist the gnat traps. And now we all get to caption it. 🤣 Drop them in the comments and let’s play. P.S. No cats were hurt in the taking of this picture. The human… to be determined

Today is my Jungle’s 11th birthday! Join me in sending him some pawsitive vibes that make catnip look like kitten’s play. Meowy Birthday, Jungle! Wishing my cool dude many more years of playing fetch, snuggles with your Monkee and MaMa, and enjoying all your favorite treats. Life has been a lot more colorful with you in it.

This morning, as I sat out on the catio-patio with my tea, I noticed a towhee bird scratching around for breakfast. After a few moments, the bird flew up into the tree. And of course, my eyes followed. As the bird perched on the branch, a black squirrel chased him off the branch, while another one sat quietly in a neighboring tree, watching everything like they owned the place. I love black squirrels. I didn’t even know they existed until I moved to the Pacific Northwest. There’s this soft, almost mushy kind of love I get in my soul when I see them. The same feeling I get when I see a skunk. If I ever have the chance to work with orphaned black squirrels, it would be another dream come true for me. Black squirrels aren’t a different species. They’re actually a color variation of the Eastern Gray Squirrel or sometimes the Fox Squirrel. That darker color comes from something called melanism, which is an increase in dark pigment. If both parents carry the gene, the babies can be fully black. If only one does, you might see black/brown squirrels with a reddish undertone. Same squirrel, just a different expression. The black is also thought to be an insulator to trap in body heat for the black squirrels. Unfortunately, the fun ended while I watched the two squirrels being squirrels. It was time for me to start adulting. Work cuts right into my social life.