My friend Sioux is one of those people who is so known for taking in stray humans and animals, that were she living under a rock, I think she’d still be getting calls from friends of friends asking if she had room for another dog. When I was a scared 18-year-old she took me under her wing, and the shape of my life has so much richer and braver and full of adventure because of her ornery, unflappable, nurturing love.

10 years ago, Sioux’s home burned down with many of her beloved pets inside. This was both emotionally and financially devastating, and she has been living in a travel trailer on her property since then because she does not have the financial resources to rebuild.

A dear friend of Sioux died recently, and left a motor coach to her. This would provide her with functional, leak-free housing, which she does not currently have in her deteriorating 40-year-old travel trailer. The catch is that she will need to fly to California to get it, and then drive the coach back home to North Carolina. She has enough to pay for the one-way plane ticket, but not enough for gas to get home.

We’re estimating gas (and maybe accommodation along the way for the cross country drive) will run $1,500-$2,000. Sioux isn’t comfortable asking for this help, so I’m asking for her: if you have a little to spare to help someone who has spent her life showing up, with no expectation of compensation, for people and animals who need someone to show up for them, we'd be so, so grateful!

Xo

- Annie