Leah and Rendal live in Kamloops, in a neighbourhood tucked against the forested slopes of Juniper Ridge. Most days, they walk their husky Lola along the trails just above their home, passing through quiet groves and open views where they often spot deer, owls, hawks, and, on occasion, a bear ambling in the distance.
“I’ve always felt a deep connection to animals,” Leah says. “There’s something humbling about sharing space with creatures that have lived here long before us.”
Leah’s love for wildlife began long before Juniper Ridge. She grew up on a tiny farm in Little Fort, surrounded by animals. As a child, she spent hours collecting frogs and salamanders. One of her earliest memories is a close encounter with a cougar when she was about six: “I knew what to do. I slowly backed up, and it was not a problem.”
That moment sparked a lifelong awe for the natural world. Now, when Leah and Rendal hike with their dog, she says she’s never afraid of the wildlife they encounter. Every sighting brings her joy. “It just puts a smile on my face.”
