True love is a rare and precious thing—a bond so profound that it transcends words, born from a deep connection rooted in trust, honesty, and mutual growth. Claudia’s journey began as a child, brimming with questions about life’s purpose and a yearning for warmth in a world that often felt cold and routine-bound. She found solace not in society’s rhythms but in the silent language of nature and her connection with animals, where she discovered the purity of unconditional love. Choosing to live her life by the wisdom of love over fear, Claudia wove her dreams into reality, crafting a life rich in authentic connections and boundless purpose.

Our collaboration with Claudia began through a chance encounter—a product shoot where she breathed personality and soul into Anifurry’s faux fur blanket. Today, she continues to bring Anifurry’s creations to life through her evocative lens, capturing the spirit of our blankets in ways that resonate deeply. The following is Claudia’s story, told in her own words, along with our interview.

For me, there’s only one answer, the question itself doesn’t matter: LOVE!

Like all good stories, mine began in my childhood. I often found myself wondering, almost daily, if this life could be all there was. Why is everything so cold, loveless, and routine-driven? What’s the purpose of all this? The getting up each day, forcing ourselves into routines, pushing through daily struggles that didn’t seem to bring any joy to the people around me. People complained about a seemingly unhappy existence, yet no one did anything to change it. Worse, they were suffocated by fear. On TV, there was war, hunger, and humanity seemed stagnant… What did any of it have to do with life and love? Was I the only one who felt differently and spoke out about it? What about the worlds in my books and stories? Where were they? Was it all just make-believe? Or was that the real world that no one else seemed able to see?

I didn’t learn any answers to these questions in school. The only light in an adult’s world seemed to be the evening television programs. So, I tried the same escape, watching shows like Fury, Black Beauty, Janna, Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella, "Pippi Langstrumpf" and the true heroine of my childhood: Princess Fantaghirò with her horse, Goldenmähne. Today my absolute favourite movies are "Lord of the rings", The Hobbit and Harry Potter.

Today, my daughter, now eleven, is also captivated by the brave warrior princess from my childhood. This princess spoke the language of animals, fought for justice and love with courage, humor, and passion. She overcame every obstacle effortlessly, with cleverness and love.

We can always choose: fear or love!

Back then, I felt validated in my sense that this connection between humans and animals, combined with the courage, adventure of life, sincerity, honesty, love of nature, and joy of life and being, truly existed. I found more truth, honesty, and parallels in my fairy tales and stories than in real life.

Even as a child, I struggled to trust people because they seemed so doubtful in everything. None of them was authentically living what they dreamed or implemented what they truly wanted. So, I entrusted myself to animals! They had never disappointed, hurt, or lied to me. In everything they did, they were always authentic, honest, and fully in the present moment. This is something we can learn from animals, especially horses.

I wanted to live my dreams, to make them real. I wanted to live this way, to be this way, and I was even willing to endure the suffering and sacrifice my fairy tale heroes did if it meant being rewarded by life, so long as I remained virtuous, honest with my feelings, true to myself, and steadfast on my path.

Many days and years of dreaming passed. I would sit in class, dreaming of horses. I dreamed of freedom, self-determination, and love. At seventeen, through a series of fortunate events, I acquired my first horse, Kitty. She was on my father’s farm, seemingly uncared for, and I could take her over for a bit of pocket money. In that moment, all the dreams I had so often and vividly manifested seemed to come true.

Even back then, I put the needs of the animals above my own and felt pure joy in giving love to these wonderful, unique creatures on this Earth, proof to me that our world is a paradise. They were, and still are, the true companions of my life.

Sadly, Kitty was too wild for me then, and I was too inexperienced, so our paths parted. Years later, while visiting my brother, I met Nico, my white stallion. My brother and his friend showed him to me at a riding stable. He was nearly five years old then, a beautiful stallion, locked up in a dusty hall, running around, clearly wanting to be out in nature. Sunlight poured into the hall, stirring up dust and sand, flooding the space as he moved and danced. I looked at him breathlessly, with only one wish: to grant him freedom.

I felt his yearning for freedom so painfully, it was as if I was trapped myself. I had lost my heart to this beautiful creature. After days of researching, I discovered there was a chance to buy him. And so, everything happened as I dreamed. Nico was sold to me as "difficult" and "not exactly rideable," handed over with a stallion chain for transportation. He came to a nearby location, so my brother and I simply walked Nico to his new pasture.

I was so excited, so happy, so full of love. During the transfer, I sat on him for the first time, without a saddle, only a stable halter and two ropes, and I knew, This is my horse!

Today, my gorgeous Lusitano stallion is twenty-four years old! He is without a doubt the love of my life because no one knows me as well as he does. Our communication, interaction, and being together has always been peaceful, honest, respectful, filled with love, trust, and harmony. There have never been difficult situations or conflicts. We continue, as we did back then, riding without a saddle or bridle, freely exploring nature, and I trust him blindly. Nico is wonderful in every way, and he learns tricks quickly since he loves treats. Together, we have formed a truly trusting team. We explored forests, swam in lakes, and enjoyed life. Back then, I even taught children and adults to ride on Nico. He is one of the kindest, most patient, and loyal creatures I know.

In 2009, my second horse, Zorro, joined us. I worked at a Western-themed town, Pullman City, as a show rider with Nico and organized trail rides with tourists. Nico was in constant use, so I wanted a second horse to give him more free time.

After years of this wonderful life with Nico, I wanted to fulfill my dream of a black horse. I had always dreamed of a black horse galloping across wide meadows toward me in slow motion, our spirits as one—probably the dream of many girls.

Years passed, and Zorro eventually came into my life. He has taught me so much about patience and letting go. In all things, my horses have been my rock, my family, my life. We know each other, we love each other in the way all beings and creatures should love one another: honestly, unconditionally, with complete devotion, trust, and understanding, with the mutual gift of growing through one another.

It is a TRUE LOVE, the kind I have rarely found in this world.