Animals have changed my life.

In 2000, I came to a cabin on a mountaintop in the country with two yellow Labs, Julius and Stanley, to be a search for a spiritual life, and for a meaningful life. They were my companions on that mountain.

More than a decade ago, I began sheepherding to help train my border collie Orson. I fell in love with farms.

In 2003, I bought Bedlam Farm, some sheep and a donkey and came to live there. I wanted to explore the human – animal bond in my writing, my life. Orson led me here.

In that same year, I bought Rose, and she helped me survive the farm and learn how to live there.

Two years later, when I was dying of loneliness and disconnection, I got Lenore and she became the love dog

and kept love alive for me.

When I was struggling with depression, I got Izzy and he brought me into hospice work, and helped me find the human

connections I needed to heal.

When I was looking for a human partner to share my, I met Frieda, and she brought me to Maria. And to real love.

When I was seeking to open myself up, Simon came into my life and helped to open me up.

When we decided to leave Bedlam Farm and began looking for a new home, we could not find one. Until I saw Rocky, a blind

pony who led me to Florence Walrath and our new home.

When Izzy and Rose died, and I was seeking a new dog, Red entered my life, and he is my companion and lifetime dog now.

If you are open to it, animals can change your life. On Facebook, I’d like to ask you how animals have changed yours.