I’m a 37-year-old woman, a wife of 14 years, and someone who finds comfort in the company of animals. My home is always alive with the sounds of paws and claws—creatures who bring joy, calm, and a sense of connection. Animals have always been my sanctuary, a reminder that love can be simple and unconditional. But my life has been anything but simple. I grew up in a world shaped by trauma and instability. My mother struggled with a severe drug addiction, and her choices exposed my siblings and me to situations no child should ever endure. We moved constantly, not for opportunity, but to escape consequences. I never completed a full year of elementary school. Each time I began to settle, we were uprooted again. As the oldest of six children, I became the caretaker. While the adults around us failed to provide safety or stability, I did everything I could to keep my siblings fed, clothed, and protected. I was a child raising children, navigating a world that felt cold and unforgiving.