Every year arrives with pressure to declare resolutions. We’re not doing that here.

For the Year of the Guardian, we’re choosing something quieter — a word to stand inside, not perform. For me, that word is actually a pair: intentional preservation.

It means moving through life with care and discernment — being intentional about where my energy goes, and preserving what keeps me grounded, steady, and at peace. That choice doesn’t stop with me. It filters into how I show up for dogs, how I support guardians, and how I build this work with integrity.

So here’s your invitation for the year ahead:

Claim a word or two that reflects how you want to protect what matters most.

Not something to achieve. Something to preserve.

Next week’s full issue will build from this place — guardianship rooted in intention, clarity, and care that lasts.

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The Guardian Guide