Field Notes: Beneath the Flight Path

A slurry bomber heads toward another Northern California wildfire on a hot July evening. Watching these aircraft pass overhead, I found myself thinking about the people behind the mission.

Northern California
Saturday Evening – July 11, 2026

It's just after 8:30 pm on a warm July evening in Northern California.

Velvet is asleep on the floor, stretched out in the coolest spot she can find. Every fan in this tiny room is running, trying to push back another day of unseasonably hot weather.

Then another slurry bomber flies overhead.

And another.

And another.

Earlier today, a wildfire ignited. Within hours, thousands of acres were burning. As the aircraft continue their repeated flights toward the fire, I find myself thinking less about the planes and more about the people inside them.

What does it take to keep climbing back into that cockpit, making pass after pass over rugged terrain, knowing that every drop matters?

Then my thoughts drift to the firefighters on the ground.

The animal control officers.

The veterinarians.

The shelter staff.

The volunteers.

The neighbors loading horses into trailers.

The person patiently trying to coax a frightened dog into a crate before the flames get any closer.

And the wildlife, who receive no evacuation notice at all.

For most of my life, my heart has been drawn not only to the animals but also to the humans who dedicate themselves to protecting them.

Animals are often the visible reason we respond.

The people behind the response are too often the invisible story.

As I listen to the aircraft disappear into the distance, I'm reminded that every emergency has two kinds of victims: those directly affected and those who willingly step forward to help. The helpers carry burdens that most of us never fully see.

Perhaps that is why The Dog Goddess has always been about more than dogs.

It has always been about relationships.

Velvet- There Is No Grander Earthly Privilege Than To Have Been Loved By A Dog.

The bond between humans and animals.

The courage to care.

The willingness to keep showing up.

And the quiet hope that, even in the face of suffering, compassion still has the power to change lives.

Tonight, my prayer is simple.

May the crews be safe.

May families find one another.

May as many animals as possible be rescued.

And may those who spend their lives protecting others remember that they, too, deserve care, compassion, and moments to simply breathe.

Sometimes the most important stories are not about the fire.

They're about the hearts that continue flying toward it.

Sometimes the most important stories are not about the fire.

They're about the hearts that continue flying toward it.

Field Observation:

Sometimes the loudest part of a wildfire isn’t the fire itself. It’s the sound of ordinary people quietly flying toward extraordinary responsibility.

For much of my life, I've been drawn to the people behind the mission.

The firefighters. The rescue workers. The veterinarians. The volunteers. The conservationists. The advocates. The people who quietly give so much of themselves in service to animals, wildlife, and one another.

Their work matters.

They matter.

That is one of the reasons The Dog Goddess exists.

Part of my work is helping people whose lives are devoted to animals reconnect with their own resilience, clarity, and purpose—so they can continue making a difference in the lives of others, both human and animal.

Because when we care for the humans carrying the mission, we strengthen the mission itself.

If today's Field Notes resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you.

Perhaps you have your own story of an animal who changed your life, a rescue that touched your heart, or someone quietly serving animals who deserves to be recognized.

You can connect with me through The Dog Goddess by visiting our Guest Goddess page to share your story, Nominate someone whose dedication deserves recognition, or explore opportunities to become one of our Gratitude Partners as we continue building a community devoted to the well-being of both animals and the humans who care for them.

And if you're someone who has devoted your life to animals and finds yourself at a crossroads, know that you're not alone. Part of my life's work is helping people reconnect with their own clarity, resilience, and purpose so they can continue making a meaningful difference in the world around them. ~With gratitude for all who serve, Kelli & Velvet The Dog Goddess

One Brief Moment from this evening. The sound says more than any photograph can.

How You And Your Pets Can Live Safely And Peacefully With Coyotes

We had originally written this article on coyotes regarding the return of warmer temperatures, however, the information contained in the article is pertinent to all seasons.

Did you know that Coyotes play a very important role in our ecosystem by controlling rodents and other potential disease carrying animals often times referred to as ‘pests’?…  Coyotes are often more active in the Spring and Fall because they need extra food for their young pups, and like most intelligent, resourceful creatures, they remain active all year round; especially at dawn and at dusk.   Just so that you are aware- in Most parts of the USA/North America; January- March is Coyote Mating season. This means that coyotes will be out and about searching for a compatible mate and looking for or creating places to serve as their family home- otherwise known as a ‘Den’ in the Canine world. Please do be Respectful and know that these creatures have just as much of a right to be here as any other, and all they want to do is create and raise their little families in peace and harmony with as little interaction with humans as possible. * It’s a bit ironic, but in Summer months, that is also the time that is the smartest for all animals, including us humans, to go out exercising ourselves and our pets; so just be aware. Not afraid or ‘fearful’; aware.

Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits, but as highly intelligent, resourceful creatures they will take advantage of any available food source including pet food, garbage, and wild animals such as the red fox, and domestic animals such as small dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds.

You can help protect yourself, your pets, your property, and the coyotes themselves by following some Simple “Common Sense” Tips.

Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes no matter how cute they may look

Do not leave uneaten pet food outside

Pick up your pet’s waste

Bring pets inside at night and do not leave them outside unattended-ever; they are ‘pets’ and depend on you for love, comfort, protection, and survival.

Put garbage in tightly closed containers that coyotes and any stray domestic animals like cats, dogs, raccoons, possum, etc. cannot tip over.

Remove easy sources of water

Pick up fallen fruit from your trees- *a coyote’s diet consists of approximately 25% fruit, and remember to cover your compost piles, and DO consider a fence if need be.

Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote ‘prey’.

Install motion sensor lights, as coyotes do NOT like bright lights and loud noises.   * Just remember to ‘be courteous to your neighbors’ and not to install a ‘disco’ atmosphere, or you may get a call from your local HOA or City Code Enforcement.

Remember, If followed by a coyote, make loud noises, or if the coyotes do happen to get aggressive, which is not typical; you could get loud and throw rocks to ‘scare’ them away.  * we are NOT saying throw rocks to hit or hurt them.  We are saying for their own well being as well as yours and your pet’s, do not ever turn your back on them, and ‘yes’ do get loud and throw rocks IF you or your pets feel aggressively threatened by them.

*Share these tips with your neighbors*

A Natural part of our mountains and deserts, and countryside, beautiful coyotes are here to stay; because after all, this was their home FIRST, way before humans ever built their homes here and it will always be their home.  We can be respectful of one another.  You can do your part to encourage coyotes to remain in the wild where they are most safe and comfortable, by not doing anything foolish to attract them.  *Leave them alone to raise their families in peace and harmony with nature as they were meant to do, and they will leave you alone.

You and your pets will live more peacefully with coyotes if you have less contact with them and if they remain wary of you as humans. This is true for ALL wildlife species, including the squirrels you feed in your local parks. Remember- they have families they love, care about and protect, just the same as we humans do. Be respectful.

How You And Your Pets Can Live Safely And Peacefully With Coyotes

We had originally written this article on coyotes regarding the return of warmer temperatures, however, the information contained in the article is pertinent to all seasons.

Did you know that Coyotes play a very important role in our ecosystem by controlling rodents and other potential disease carrying animals often times referred to as ‘pests’?…  Coyotes are often more active in the Spring and Fall because they need extra food for their young pups, and like most intelligent, resourceful creatures, they remain active all year round; especially at dawn and at dusk.   * It’s a bit ironic, but in Summer months, that is also the time that is the smartest for all animals, including us humans, to go out exercising ourselves and our pets; so just be aware. Not afraid or ‘fearful’; aware.

Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits, but as highly intelligent, resourceful creatures they will take advantage of any available food source including pet food, garbage, and wild animals such as the red fox, and domestic animals such as small dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds.

You can help protect yourself, your pets, your property, and the coyotes themselves by following some Simple “Common Sense” Tips.

Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes no matter how cute they may look

Do not leave uneaten pet food outside

Pick up your pet’s waste

Bring pets inside at night and do not leave them outside unattended-ever; they are ‘pets’ and depend on you for love, comfort, protection, and survival.

Put garbage in tightly closed containers that coyotes and any stray domestic animals like cats, dogs, raccoons, possum, etc. cannot tip over.

Remove easy sources of water

Pick up fallen fruit from your trees- *a coyote’s diet consists of approximately 25% fruit, and remember to cover your compost piles, and DO consider a fence if need be.

Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote ‘prey’.

Install motion sensor lights, as coyotes do NOT like bright lights and loud noises.   * Just remember to ‘be courteous to your neighbors’ and not to install a ‘disco’ atmosphere, or you may get a call from your local HOA or City Code Enforcement.

Remember, If followed by a coyote, make loud noises, or if the coyotes do happen to get aggressive, which is not typical; you could get loud and throw rocks to ‘scare’ them away.  * we are NOT saying throw rocks to hit or hurt them.  We are saying for their own well being as well as yours and your pet’s, do not ever turn your back on them, and ‘yes’ do get loud and throw rocks IF you or your pets feel aggressively threatened by them.

*Share these tips with your neighbors*

A Natural part of our mountains and deserts, and countryside, beautiful coyotes are here to stay; because after all, this was their home FIRST, way before humans ever built their homes here and it will always be their home.  We can be respectful of one another.  You can do your part to encourage coyotes to remain in the wild where they are most safe and comfortable, by not doing anything foolish to attract them.  *Leave them alone to raise their families in peace and harmony with nature as they were meant to do, and they will leave you alone.

You and your pets will live more peacefully with coyotes if you have less contact with them and if they remain wary of you as humans. This is true for ALL wildlife species, including the squirrels you feed in your local parks. Remember- they have families they love, care about and protect, just the same as we humans do. Be respectful.