Dr. Melanie McNally, LLC

11/08/2025

I’m not anti-AI, but I’m becoming increasingly concerned about the way people are using it to manage their mental health. Chatbots and AI cannot provide therapy, yet many people think that is exactly what it’s doing.

11/07/2025

Happy 12th birthday to our sweet cuddle monkey, Derby! We adopted her from a shelter in Chicago 10 years ago where she had been brought up from Kentucky as a stray. They knew she had had a litter of pups at some point, and it was clear from the get-go she wanted to be a mama. Any dog she’s lived with, she just wants to cuddle. Watson was her absolute best friend and she was so heartbroken after he passed that she stopped eating and going for walks. She’s the reason we adopted Bambi, and we’re pretty sure she now thinks she’s his mama. She’s traveled the country with us and has known every dog that Sean and I have had together. She’s the OG. Happy birthday sweet girl 💗

11/02/2025

This has been the hardest year of my life, but so many lessons to be learned. I’ll be sharing more in my own time, but for now, I’m just so grateful for modern medicine and the support of my loved ones.

❤️ ♿️

10/27/2025

36 hours, 11 waterfalls, countless rivers and trails, 1 delicious RV-made seaweed miso noodle dinner, and a perfect campsite on Lake Superior. The more time I spend away from the internet, social media, and AI, the more time I want to spend away.

10/27/2025

36 hours,

10/20/2025

24 hours of off grid/no service autumn bliss in my favorite part of the UP. Meandering creeks, roadside waterfalls, a perfect campsite, cozy general stores, and perfect tree lined roads that we had all to ourselves….its as though we designed it all. I ❤️ the UP so much this time of year.

10/12/2025

I wish I could fully explain what it is I love about mushing. Part of it is the lifestyle: how the mushers are living a life according to their own passion and values and have no interest in what the rest of the world thinks about them. They’re not getting famous or rich, and many of them live completely off the grid. That alone makes it attractive to me.

Another part is the connection with the dogs: the mushers are so attuned and compassionate towards their dogs, it would shock many people. The dogs always come first, and the mushers know each of their dogs’ unique personalities better than most parents know their own children.

I also love the connection to nature. So much of the lifestyle involves being outdoors. As one musher told me, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.”

And another part that I love is how there are so many bad ass women who mush. The sport is filled with women and they are hard-core. They’ll talk about losing their favorite blade on the trail, ask you how many pounds your hammer can nail, and rip out a fence post with their bare hands. They know how to handle themselves in any situation, don’t mince words, and make demands unapologetically. The world needs more women like this.

The dry land mushing event was filled with people on scooters, bikes, ATVs, and rigs specially designed for this. I volunteered as a handler and got to hold back dogs on the line who were amped up and ready to go until it was time to let them loose. I also was able to meet up with Captain’s old team and fill them in on how he’s doing as a retired sled dog. And while I doubt I will ever be on any sort of rig attached to a dog, I sure love being an outsider looking in.

10/06/2025

I’ve been too busy to do much writing lately, but I couldn’t resist getting this one in print.

10/01/2025

RIP Jane Goodall. You showed the world how to lead with integrity, the importance of having a purpose, and how we all have a part to play in the well-being of the planet. All creatures, large and small, thank you.

09/26/2025

I’ve been intentionally spending less time online and more time on my health and in-person connections. My recent trip to Austin reminded me how grounding that choice can be. Three days filled with meals and mocktails with friends, coffees with clients, and an annual summit with a circle of women entrepreneurs and founders I’ve known for years. Connections so meaningful that I cried the moment I saw them.

I didn’t capture a single photo of these moments. The only images I brought back are from an early morning walk on my last day, when I came across three abandoned dogs in urgent need of help. What followed was a spontaneous rescue effort that pulled strangers together into a team-neighbors, passersby, and even a 12-year-old girl who gently led the dogs to safety until the rescue group arrived.

That morning reminded me how quickly people can unite when there is a clear need right in front of them. It also reminded me of the importance of focusing on what’s truly important in the world. Helping all living creatures in need. The dogs are now in foster care, receiving the medical attention and love they need before being adopted. If you’d like to support the rescue, You can find them online at jackjackspack.org.

09/26/2025

08/30/2025

The last few weeks up north have been bliss. Just us, the animals, and the perfectly changing weather. Oh and there’s been some berry picking and baby bear s**t hand measuring as well.