The wild spaces of Montana keep presenting me with animals who need help. I've always feared diving this deep into their suffering - the crushing mix of love and worry and bone-deep weariness of it all. But here I am.

Tonight, my heart is tired. My brain is, too. But my soul has a few words to share, thankfully.

N U R T U R E /ˈnərCHər/ verb: to care for, protect, feed one's soul with love-induced purpose

I felt it again today - that fierce activation of love that makes my heart soar and sink in the exact same breath.

A hungry bird. A limping stray. An orphaned pack. Each one guides me toward sweet devastation.

This wild compulsion mobilizes my entire being, drains my body with worry, floods my mind with endless to-dos.

But - I cannot look away. Could never walk past. Would never choose different.

For this is the weight we animal lovers carry - hearts too massive to ignore suffering, souls too raw to preserve ourselves, hands too capable to stay still.

My day ends with empty energy but a somehow fuller heart, knowing I answered every call that love asked of me today.

This is nurture - untamed heart, willing sacrifice, pure instinct.