In August, our then 9 month old daughter, was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. We have been in the hospital with her for over 8 months helping her fight this difficult disease as hard as we can. We had a few months of it looking like there could be light at the end of the tunnel, however in April we received devastating news, Melody's body has stopped responding to cancer treatments and she wouldn't make it to her second birthday. On June 23rd, Melody passed away at home in the arms of David and I surrounded by the animals she loved so very much!

We are blessed to live an amazing life as the owners of Walking Wild and the primary caretakers of our amazing animals and to have been able to share that with Melody. She had a love of animals and a gentleness towards them that can't be taught,  she was born with it. With Melody's passing, we are going to be beginning construction on a memorial for her here at Walking Wild. This memorial will allow all who visit Walking Wild as well as family and the Walking Wild team that miss her to continue to feel her as part of Walking Wild. It will be a place to relax, reflect and find joy like she so effortlessly radiated.

This is not a place in life we ever thought we would be. As we work through this heartbreaking time, mourning the loss of our daughter, adjusting to a new normal and continuing to save lives and grow our mission, your support means more than we could ever express.