Soul Paws

The clouds arrive before the sunrise.

They roll across the mountains and wrap the forest in a cold white blanket. Most creatures seek shelter from the wind, but this is my home.

I am a mountain tapir.

The thick coat covering my body is not for show. It keeps me warm as I climb steep slopes and wander through the mist-covered forests high in the Andes. The air here is thin and cold, but I know every hidden trail, every stream, and every patch of tender leaves.

Humans rarely see me. They call me elusive, mysterious, even prehistoric. Sometimes I hear them hiking through the forest below, searching for a glimpse of the shadow moving between the trees.

What they don't see are the challenges growing around me.

The forests that protected my family for generations are becoming smaller. Trees disappear. Trails become roads. The quiet mountains become a little less quiet each year.

Still, every morning I continue my journey through the clouds. I help shape this ecosystem by spreading seeds across the mountains, giving new plants a chance to grow where old ones once stood.

I am not a relic of the past.

I am a guardian of these forests.

And as long as the clouds drift across the Andes and the mountain winds whisper through the valleys, I will keep walking these ancient paths, carrying my woolly coat through a world that still feels wonderfully wild.

Three years ago, a tiny puppy walked into our lives and quietly changed them forever. 🐾❤️

Back then, there were two little puppies living near our neighborhood—a brother and a sister. They were always together, exploring the world side by side. Then one day, the little sister disappeared. We searched and hoped, but she never came back. Her brother was left alone, wandering around with a sadness that was impossible to miss.

Not long after, another tragedy struck. A larger dog attacked him. When we found him, he was lying helplessly on the ground, badly injured and covered in blood. He was so weak that he couldn't even stand. The fear and pain in his eyes broke our hearts. 🥺

We knew we couldn't leave him there.

We brought him home, gently cleaned his wounds, gave him medicine, and showered him with the love he desperately needed. Day by day, he grew stronger. Slowly, the frightened little puppy began to trust again.

Today marks exactly three years since that day.

The tiny puppy who once struggled to survive is now a healthy, happy, and incredibly loyal member of our family. His name is Bobby. 🐶✨

Every wag of his tail reminds us how far he has come. Every playful run around the yard is proof that love, patience, and kindness can truly change a life.

We thought we were rescuing Bobby, but the truth is, Bobby rescued a part of us too. He filled our home with joy, laughter, and unconditional love.

Happy 3rd Gotcha Anniversary, Bobby boy. ❤️ Thank you for showing us that even after heartbreak and pain, life can still be beautiful. 🐾🌈

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Mary Daiss, Mike Graham, Susan Rennie Milford, Lois Jean Lynch Noland