Today we’d like to introduce you to Mel Yackley
Hi Mel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have a varied background which has provided a lot of character and a really strong foundation. I am from a very small town near the South Dakota border called Canby, but I have lived and worked in the Minneapolis area since 2006. I think my small-town roots give me a deeper level of accountability and humility while I embrace the diversity in the people and experiences provided by Minneapolis and the surrounding areas.
I must acknowledge the reason I am even physically present today first – that reason is I have been in recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol since September 2011. That is where I start, as without that I would not have the relationships and stability that I have now. I was able to build a big life in recovery, which is ever-expanding.
My road has not been simple or linear in any way. I lost both my parents between 2017 and 2021 and so by the age of 36, I had navigated caregiving both of them while also maintaining my own life as best I could. In December 2017, I lost my mom; she was 64 when she died, just seven months after being diagnosed with cancer. Losing her catapulted me into a life of adventure, where I would seek out and say yes to new experiences.
This led to some time skydiving, some time traveling, and a lot of time hiking and backpacking. Hiking and backpacking have in many ways become a backbone for my lifestyle – a constant in the face of whatever my world puts in front of me. I am fortunate to have had that to rely on when just 18 months after losing my mom, my dad began to experience health problems. After caregiving for him for over a year, we learned he had an aggressive form of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). I had been watching him lose his ability to swallow, walk, and inevitably – to speak during that time, without having a diagnosis. Once finally diagnosed in September 2021, he died the very next day.
The last day I spent with my dad was my tenth sobriety date. The two dates are forever intertwined, and I know I never could have been present for his death had the first date never occurred. The experience of losing both my parents, who were not elderly, has etched character into me that can’t be compromised or taken away. I’d give anything to have more time with them and simultaneously, I refuse to fail to acknowledge the depths of my character that exist as a result. I am really proud of how I navigated those days, weeks, months, and years in my life. When I reflect back on those times, I truly am amazed at how I was able to show up for them as I did. It was an incredibly exhausting time on every level.
Because of my outdoor adventuring, I leaned into that again while healing from the grief of these losses. My dad is the person who originally brought me into the outdoors, and I continue to honor him and connect with him while in the outdoors. Through this passion, I’ve fostered great relationships, including with an outdoor nonprofit doing work in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (“BWAC”) does trail maintenance and advocacy work on area wilderness trails, bringing volunteers of all experience levels on trips each spring and fall season.
I have worked in the legal field for over 15 years, predominantly within law firms in the Minneapolis area. I have also cared for pets my entire life. I have a young Australian Shepherd named Gaia, who is quickly becoming my adventure partner and best friend. I also have three senior rescue cats. In addition to all the above, I also have a pet care business that I own and operate. I offer sitting, walking, drop-ins, boarding, and other services for pet guardians. I am so happy to be trusted to care for people’s beloved pets – some of my greatest lessons, particularly in resilience, have come from animals, especially my own!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would guess almost no person would say their road has been a smooth one, and I am no different. I have not had a smooth or straight road. My crooked and bumpy road is the reason for my character and personality however, and I would not want to change any of it. My early struggles were self-imposed for the most part. It is because I overcame those at a fairly young age, that I could withstand the larger life struggles that came my way in the losses of my parents through my early-mid 30s without sacrificing my integrity. We never know what may lie ahead for us or what struggles tomorrow brings – I keep this in mind frequently, which is why instead of making bucket lists, I make plans.
As you know, we’re big fans of FurFam Pet Care LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I started my pet care business officially in 2024, though I have had pets and cared for other people’s pets throughout my life. I also fostered for a rescue for a number of years and so have helped animals recover from uncertain situations in terms of health or environment into having stable and predictable day-to-day lives. I wish all animals could feel safe wherever they call home. I do my best to ensure this throughout my interactions with pets, whether they are mine or other people’s pets. I am in tune with body language and really seek to develop one-on-one relationships with pets, so they are as comfortable as possible in my care. I enjoy providing updates to clients when their pets are in my care, with photos and videos included. I am really proud that I can stand behind my experience and know that I am able to offer very high-quality care for pets. It is for this reason and others that clients trust me and are able to develop a longer-term relationship with me. This is a win-win for all of us – especially the furry family members! I currently offer sitting, walks/excursions, drop-ins, and select boarding.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up in a small town in farming country, I stayed active and busy, much like today. I enjoyed school and had a variety of friends from different groups. I also spent time in the arts – with my piano – and in the outdoors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.FurFamPetCare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hike_mel_hike?igsh=cXN1eDhkMjRqNnc4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18WJjBkSY7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
