Why everyone should vote for my animal
Nootka has been my loyal hiking companion for a decade, but this alpine hike made me realize that our big adventures together have come to an end. At 10 years old, it was simply too much for her. This photo captures more than just a moment—it marks a shift in life, a quiet acknowledgment that my best friend is aging and that I, too, must adjust.

Yet, in this image, she is radiant—happy, carefree, and living in the joy of the trail. I’m grateful she got to experience this, that our last big hike was filled with excitement, and that her final summit was one of pure happiness.