Melanie’s journey to becoming a part of the Living Free team is one marked by a love for animals and a passion for helping others. She began volunteering at the sanctuary in June 2022 and was immediately struck by its peaceful atmosphere.
“When you enter Living Free, you can feel this immediate sense of calm. At the risk of sounding hokey, it’s a magical and spiritual place.”
Melanie, Living Free Team Member
Melanie and her husband Eric hold a special place in their hearts for Living Free. In June 2019, they adopted two gray tabby brothers, Lenny and Squiggy, from the sanctuary. Tragically, they lost their beloved pets in a horrific house fire in October 2020. After leaving the hospital and finally finding their way back up to Idyllwild, Melanie and Eric knew they needed to find a way to bring animals back into their lives.
Melanie reached out to our cattery supervisor, Haley, who had helped them with their previous adoption. With Haley’s help, Melanie and Eric adopted two more cats – another sibling duo, this time a pair of sleek black cats named Joey and Rosalie Boca. Unexpectedly, Melanie and Eric ended up adopting two more cats – buff orange tabby siblings named Devo Nod and Harlan James. “What can you do, cats pick you!” explained Melanie.
It was soon after adopting their four felines that Melanie decided to volunteer at Living Free. Still recovering from the trauma of the fire, she was encouraged to volunteer somewhere to help get out of the house, become more social and build up her self confidence. Melanie shared, “Living Free was an obvious choice for me. Animals have incredible healing powers and I quickly found that many of the volunteers and staff share the same sentiment. It is a safe space.”
One of the most profound moments Melanie has experienced at Living Free is the memorialization of Lenny and Squiggy at the Forever Free Memorial Park within the sanctuary. “On September 3, 2022, Eric and I spread our boys’ ashes,” Melanie shared. “Their ashes were collected post-fire from each room of the home we had lived in, and their wind chimes now hang from a small manzanita tree with a statue of St. Francis below it. It was an extremely cathartic experience for both of us.”
Melanie is not only a dedicated team member and animal lover, but she also has a few unique talents to her name. “I can tap dance, juggle, and fold a fitted sheet,” she shared. Her joyful, kind presence was a welcomed addition to our community. Soon, she was hired to help out in our administrative office and give tours around the property.
Living Free is grateful to have Melanie as part of their team. Her love for animals, her passion for helping others, and her special connection to the sanctuary make her an invaluable member of the community.
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