Guiding Light for Animals

01/13/2026

The most powerful climate technology already exists — and we walk past it every day.

A tree silently pulls carbon dioxide from the air, stores it safely, cools the planet, and asks for almost nothing in return. No factories, no complex machines, no massive budgets.

It grows on its own, repairs itself, supports wildlife, enriches soil, and sustains life across generations. In a world searching for expensive solutions to climate change, nature has quietly provided one for millions of years — simple, efficient, and incredibly powerful.

01/12/2026

There’s something ancient and wordless that happens when you sit beside a cat—something your body understands before your mind can explain it. Your breath slows. Your shoulders drop. Your thoughts lose their sharp edges. You’re not trying to relax, and yet rest finds you.

What a cat offers isn’t just comfort. It’s regulation: a steady presence that gently reminds your nervous system how to return home.

Cats move through the world with a kind of inner order. Their stillness isn’t emptiness—it’s awareness. Their calm isn’t passive—it’s chosen. And when you’re near them, your body begins to mirror that rhythm. Your heartbeat listens. Your breathing learns. Your mind follows.

That’s why their presence can feel healing on days when you can’t even name what hurts. Your body responds before your thoughts catch up. It remembers how to exist without bracing. How to stay alert without fear. How to be here without being overwhelmed. In quiet company, your system relearns something simple: peace isn’t something you chase—it’s something you return to.

This is the unseen language of connection. A conversation between nervous systems. A soft exchange of calm where nothing needs to be fixed—only felt, only allowed, only trusted.

And maybe that’s their deepest gift. Not just affection. Not just companionship. But a subtle guidance back to your own natural balance.

Save this for the moments when your mind feels too loud.
Sit with a cat.
And let your body remember who it was before the world taught it to rush.

Credits:

01/05/2026

"Learning"

01/05/2026

"Breaking Through"

01/04/2026

A very quick hello today.

I’ve been out with the boys and it was so much easier than yesterday. It’s cold but there’s not that biting wind that just penetrated my whole body.
My hot water bottle remains permanently strapped to my back though.

My family did all make it through Christmas Day in one piece with no major arguments. Though I am still recovering from my Christmas Eve trip to see Avatar.
I have a deep emotional connection to whales and had covered my ears and eyes through large chunks of the second film. This was even harder!
And then the ‘pleasurable’ journey home next to a foolish nephew who complained I wasn’t driving fast enough.
When I taught my son to drive I always explained there were two speed limits he needed to be aware of. The National Speed limit (which is not a target speed) plus Sam’s speed limit. One that allows you to avoid hurting animals. Especially at night. Poor things having to put up with us foolish humans rushing around in their countryside.

That argument will rumble on. And thankfully there will be no more avatar films.

I know that today is another big family day. So I hope that for you it’s peaceful and everyone is being kind to each other.
And if they aren’t, you know you don’t have to stick around. Absenting yourself from this is the least your deserve.

Thank you all so, so much for your lovely messages, your continued support, your kindness to me, my family and my animals. And also to each other on here. It really is such a kind and supportive place. And I honestly wouldn’t do it if it weren’t.

Much love, Sam

01/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AoAuiadSV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We want to share a deeply emotional update about our work, especially in light of the challenges we have recently faced. While we do not always make every case public—particularly during periods of unusually high patient intake—we believe it is important to address a heartbreaking reality we have encountered. Over the past eight weeks, we admitted five majestic bald eagles that sadly succumbed to lead poisoning. These remarkable birds, all five years of age or older with their striking white heads, had already survived the most vulnerable years of their lives. Witnessing them fall victim to a preventable threat has been devastating.

As this is nesting season, it is especially painful to imagine their mates searching for them. These eagles will not return to their partners or their territories, a loss that resonates deeply with all of us. Alarmingly high levels of lead were found in their blood. Some did not survive through the night, while others required compassionate intervention to end their suffering. The number of eagles affected in such a short time is deeply concerning and underscores the urgent need for action.

We are committed to ensuring these eagles are honored with dignity. Our conservation officers will retrieve them for placement in the Eagle Repository, and in doing so, we are reminded of the critical importance of raising awareness about non lead alternatives for hunters and anglers. Through the simple choice of using non lead ammunition, sinkers, and fishing tackle, we can collectively protect these magnificent birds and our wildlife.

We recognize that some members of the community may push back against this message. However, it is essential to acknowledge the long term impact of lead ammunition on bald eagles and other wildlife. If change is resisted, responsible practices such as properly removing gut piles and ensuring non target animals affected by lead are handled appropriately must be encouraged. While we have encountered some resistance within portions of the sporting community, understanding the impact of lead is crucial. Fortunately, extensive information on available alternatives exists, and many options are readily accessible.

Though today is a difficult day for our team, the loss of these beautiful eagles reinforces the importance of our mission. Together, we can advocate for thoughtful changes that protect wildlife and help create a healthier ecosystem. Let us work toward a future where bald eagles and other wildlife can thrive, free from the threat of lead poisoning

12/23/2025

Crows don’t just choose a partner — they choose a lifetime. 🖤
Once bonded, a crow couple stays together through storms, seasons, and silence. They protect each other, grieve together, and never abandon their mate. This deep loyalty comes from trust, intelligence, and emotional connection — something rare and beautiful even in the wild. 🌧️🪶
Their love reminds us that true devotion isn’t loud… it’s quiet, constant, and forever. ❤️

12/22/2025

🐿️ The Squirrel: “YOUR PEANUTS FEEL LIKE LOVE. MY BONES CALL IT A DEFICIENCY.”

YOUR PEANUTS FEEL LIKE LOVE. MY BONES CALL IT A DEFICIENCY.
“A peanut-only diet drains calcium from my body. Peanuts are legumes, not nuts—they are high in phosphorus, which forces my body to ‘steal’ calcium from my own bones to balance my blood. Mix in natural foods and let me find wild nuts so I don’t limp into a short, painful old age.”

The Biological Reality: Squirrels require a precise Calcium-to-Phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio. High‑phosphorus foods like peanuts or sunflower seeds, when fed exclusively, cause the body to leach calcium from bones and teeth to maintain blood levels, leading to permanent disability.

📰 FIELD REPORT: The Phosphorus Trap
Angle: Demineralization through “junk food.”
Squirrels are biological athletes that require structural integrity to survive. Peanuts and sunflower seeds are the equivalent of “junk food” for them. When phosphorus levels in the blood become too high, the parathyroid gland triggers the removal of calcium from the skeletal system. This leads to “soft bones,” where a simple jump can result in a shattered pelvis or spine.

🧩 THE ANATOMY OF A HIDDEN DEFICIENCY
1. “Glass Bones” and Paralysis
Extreme Fragility: A squirrel with MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease) can break a limb or its back just by missing a jump by a few inches.

Neurological Failure: Calcium is vital for nerve transmission; severe deficiency leads to seizures, tremors, and hind‑limb paralysis often mistaken for being hit by a car.

2. Dental Malocclusion
Brittle Teeth: Without calcium, incisors—which grow continuously—become brittle and break.

Starvation: If teeth break unevenly, they do not wear down properly, eventually preventing the squirrel from eating at all.

3. The Addiction Factor
Caloric Preference: Much like humans, squirrels will choose high‑fat, high‑calorie peanuts over the mineral‑rich bark and buds they actually need.

🤝 Our Duty: Diversify for Protection
Supporting a squirrel means respecting their complex nutritional needs.

🛡️ The Action: The Balanced Buffet
Limit Peanuts: They should never exceed 5% of their total intake; treat them as a rare “candy,” not a meal.

Offer Whole Nuts: Provide hazelnuts or walnuts in the shell to help wear down their teeth naturally.

Direct Calcium: Leave a cuttlebone or naturally shed deer antlers in the yard; squirrels will gnaw on them for pure calcium.

Plant for the Future: The best help is planting native oaks, hickories, and maples that provide natural, mineral‑rich buds and mast.

A squirrel’s agility is its only defense. By balancing our offerings, we ensure these backyard acrobats keep the strong bones and sharp teeth they need to thrive in the canopy. Don’t turn a wild athlete into a fragile pet.

12/20/2025

Dear Santa Claws, please stop listening to the lumber industry.

Signed, the Barred Owls.



12/18/2025

🦔 The Porcupine: I CANNOT SHOOT MY QUILLS.


🛡️ The Scenario: The Passive Defender
Porcupines are the ultimate pacifists of the forest. They have no interest in conflict and move at a leisurely, waddling pace. Their defense system is entirely reactive; it only functions when a predator (or a curious dog) initiates physical contact.

I CANNOT SHOOT MY QUILLS.

That is a cartoon myth. I only release quills if you touch me. If your dog gets quilled, it’s because he bit me; I did not attack him. I am slow and peaceful.

📰 FIELD REPORT: The Mechanics of the Quill
Angle: Why a "defensive" weapon is often mistaken for an "offensive" one.

[BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION] A porcupine possesses roughly 30,000 quills. These are actually modified hairs coated in thick plates of keratin with microscopic, backward-facing barbs at the tip. They are held loosely in the skin, but they require physical pressure to be "driven" into an attacker. There is no muscle or mechanism in a porcupine’s body that allows it to eject a quill through the air.

THE ANATOMY OF A MISUNDERSTOOD ENCOUNTER
1. The "Contact-Only" Defense
The Slap: When threatened, a porcupine will turn its back, tuck its head, and lash its powerful tail. If the tail hits an attacker, the quills are driven into the skin. To a human observer, the speed of the tail flick can look like "shooting," but it is actually a physical strike.

The Latch: Because of the barbs, once a quill enters the warm tissue of a dog's muzzle, it expands slightly and hooks in. It is the victim's own movement that pulls the quill out of the porcupine and deeper into themselves.

2. The Gentle Herbivore Lifestyle
Solitary and Slow: Porcupines spend most of their lives alone, high in the canopy or tucked in rock crevices, eating bark, twigs, and leaves. They have very poor eyesight and rely on smell and touch. They aren't "hunting" for trouble; they are just looking for their next meal of pine needles.

The Warning Signs: Before any contact occurs, a porcupine will give clear warnings: it will chatter its teeth, emit a strong musky odor, and raise its quills to look larger. A dog that gets quilled has usually ignored every one of these "stop" signs.

3. The Salt Craving (The Real Conflict)
Human Interactions: Like deer, porcupines crave sodium. In the American wilderness, they may chew on canoe paddles, wooden tool handles, or even car tires because of the salt residue from sweat or road treatments. This "nuisance" behavior is just a search for essential minerals.

🤝 Our Duty: Supervision and Boundaries
Protecting your pets and respecting porcupines requires human intervention and training.

The Action: Respect the Waddling Pace.

Leash in the Woods: The best way to prevent a "quilling" is to keep your dog on a leash in wooded areas, especially at dawn and dusk when porcupines are most active on the ground.

The "Leave It" Command: Training your dog to have a strong "leave it" response can save you thousands in vet bills. If your dog corners a porcupine, their instinct is to bite—you must provide the override.

Proper Vet Care: If your pet is quilled, do not cut the quills. This makes them harder to remove and can cause them to splinter. Seek a veterinarian immediately, as they often need to sedate the animal to remove the barbs safely.

Give Space: If you see a porcupine waddling across your path, simply stop and wait. They are slow; give them the 30 seconds they need to climb a tree or move into the brush.

A porcupine is a peaceful neighbor in a suit of armor. By understanding that they don't attack, but simply exist, we can better protect our pets and appreciate these ancient forest dwellers.