I'd like to be remembered for being a good-hearted soul that left this planet better than I found it.

My main message to folks who love animals is that you can do something every day to help them.

I'm not sure what gave me empathy for animals, but I do know that I have always loved animals since I was a very young child. I always felt a need to nurture and protect them. Perhaps I could see they needed that, and caring for them made me happy.

Spreading the word about real issues is still helping. Just being conscious of helping animals every day will help guide you to make beneficial decisions for animals.

I always felt that with luxury came cruelty. I do my best to live a happy, prosperous life, but I don't indulge in a lot of luxury. My husband and I are very mindful of what we eat and what we wear. I don't visit places that exploit animals or buy things that are derived from cruelty. I'm sure I'm not perfect, but I make a conscious effort to do no harm and always support people, places, or things that are on the up-and-up.

I started Eastwood Ranch Foundation a few years ago after I developed, co-starred, and produced a show for Nat Geo Wild called Animal Intervention. I always loved animals but when I got to travel the U.S. and see what was really going on in our country, I decided to take action and be a real advocate for them.

It's easy to just see what you want to see in your own comfort bubble, but to really get out there and experience the suffering of animals is an awakening. I had to become proactive and take a stand.