The hard truth behind this move.

Nov 20

A little update from our cross-country crew…

We’re now 35% funded on our GoFundMe, and I’m so deeply grateful for every share, every donation, every message, and every bit of support. Truly — thank you.

Cowboy arrives on Saturday, and I’ve decided to postpone his neuter until we reach South Carolina, where there are several mobile vets who can support him once things are more stable.

I also want to clarify something important, because I understand how things may look from the outside:

This move is not about a change of heart toward Steve.

He is my best friend and the love of my life.

And this is not about choosing the dogs over him —

although I can understand why it may be perceived that way.

I understand I don’t owe anyone an explanation, but I wanted to speak to this directly.

The truth is… while he may not agree with me on anything when it comes to the dogs, this decision comes from a place far deeper than conflict or emotion.

It comes from honoring a promise — a promise I made the day I took Ava and her babies in.

It comes from honoring who I am and who I have always been at my core.

This is who I am as a human being, and it isn’t something I can switch off. It’s simply my nature — and it always has been.

It comes from honoring all of you who have shown up, donated, shared, encouraged, and supported this rescue effort from the very beginning.

We did not come this far for these dogs to have their lives upended again, further traumatized, or — worst of all — to lose their right to their lives.

Here in California, that is the heartbreaking reality for so many dogs.

Shelters are beyond capacity. Resources are gone.

And when there’s “no place for them to go”… we all know what happens next.

Finding good, committed, responsible, invested, and loving homes feels like trying to spot the elusive Sasquatch these days — and it’s just heartbreaking.

I refuse to let that be their fate.

Right now, I’m unbelievably exhausted — stretched beyond my capacity and completely overwhelmed. I’m holding more than I’ve ever had to hold. There are so many unknowns, so many moving parts, and I’m doing everything in my power to make sure the end result is life.

Please, please consider helping if you’re able.

This truly is a matter of life and death, and every bit of support moves us closer to safety.

Ways to Help

1) Amazon Wish List (Road Trip Essentials)

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3FO6IN56H45BD...

2) Caravan Support

If anyone we know and trust is able to caravan even part of the trip, it would make an enormous difference.

Since I haven’t been able to find anyone yet — and because of my mobility restrictions, which require limiting constant in-and-out movement — this is how I’m setting things up:

- Two hard plastic travel crates in the back of the Jeep for Winnie and Cowboy

- Ronin and Ava switching between the front and back seat

- Travel seat-belt harnesses for Ava and Ronin

- Three foldable mesh crates for hotel rooms

No trailer this time — meaning everything has to fit into the Jeep.

I can feel my body starting to break down from the stress of all of this, and I’m hoping and praying throughout the day that it holds up while I move through this next leg.

This entire year has been intensely stressful and deeply disheartening, and it’s why I’m doing absolutely everything in my power to make sure these dogs not only survive… but get the chance to truly live.

To be clear — my plan is not to keep all the dogs.

Once we’re safe and everyone can come out of survival mode, I’ll reassess with clarity and intention.

Winnie will likely be the one best suited for a new home.

She’s highly adaptable, resilient, loves learning, and she’s sassy as all get-out. Truly Ava’s mini-me.

Ava and Cowboy need stabilization, structure, and healing before any long-term decisions can be made. Cowboy especially needs to decompress and reintegrate after everything he’s been through. Ava is still recovering and finding her footing again.

And Ronin… he’s my constant.

But first, we have to get there.

We have to survive this phase and make it safely across the country.

I don’t know exactly what life will look like in a few weeks…

But I do know this:

I will always be loyal to what is pure.

Loyal to truth.

Loyal to authentic, grounded love.

Loyal to the good.

Loyal to the kind.

Animals (in this case, dogs) make this very easy. They always have.

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