Melissa Gilbert is slowly stepping back into the public eye — but it appears she’s doing so on her own terms.
The former “Little House on the Prairie” and Hallmark star, who’s appeared on the last two seasons of “When Calls the Heart,”recently shared a personal update with fans after returning to Instagram earlier this month, though one notable move has made it clear she is setting boundaries online.
On Friday, May 22, Gilbert gave followers a glimpse into her “life lately” by posting a pair of sweet videos featuring her beloved pets inside her home.
Gilbert’s Recent Social Media Post
The clips showed her dog, Sundance, and rabbit, Billy Bibbit, spending time together and seemingly forming an unlikely friendship.
“Life lately…Sundance is OBSESSED with Billy Bibbit and vice versa. #besties #angora #aussie @myalpacapet,” Gilbert captioned the post.
While the wholesome animal clips quickly caught attention, fans also noticed that comments had been disabled — a decision Gilbert appears to be making more frequently since returning to social media.
The actress also turned off comments on another recent Instagram upload, a makeup-free selfie she posted on May 18 while promoting her lifestyle brand and digital community, Modern Prairie.
The candid image was part of the company’s “Finally Getting the Picture” campaign, which encourages women to embrace authenticity and self-confidence.
“Ok @officialmodernprairie so many women posted photos on our app, I’ll accept the challenge and bring it here to IG,” Gilbert wrote alongside the post.
“This is me. No make up. Early morning. Jammies. No filter. Definitely getting into the picture of my life today. So much more to come,” she added.
The post also included hashtags that hinted at resilience during a difficult chapter, including “#wecandohardthings,” “#keepmovingforward,” “#nevergiveup,” and “#lovelifeevenwhenitshard.”
Gilbert’s careful approach to social media comes after an emotional and highly public period in her personal life.
Gilbert Returned to Instagram After a Break
Earlier this month, she made her return to Instagram after stepping away from the platform for four months following legal troubles involving her husband, actor Timothy Busfield.
Since returning, Gilbert has posted selectively while limiting public interaction on certain uploads, a move many believe is intended to avoid online negativity and speculation surrounding the ongoing situation.
The actress previously opened up about how dramatically life has shifted for her family during an emotional interview on “Good Morning America,” her first major public appearance following Busfield’s arrest.
Appearing alongside attorney Larry Stein, Gilbert candidly reflected on the toll the ordeal has taken.
“We are grieving what we had – all of our plans, all of our dreams, all of our ideas, all of our projects,” she said. “For Tim, it’s done. He’s canceled. Even if he’s exonerated, he will always be that guy.”
Despite the challenges, Gilbert has continued sharing small glimpses of joy with supporters.
Earlier this month, she celebrated her 62nd birthday with a touching surprise organized by friends and shared through Modern Prairie’s Instagram account.
In the sweet video, Gilbert was seen quietly knitting before friends entered singing “Happy Birthday” while carrying a cake topped with candles.
The actress laughed through the moment, embracing the celebration with her signature warmth and humor.
For now, Gilbert appears focused on moving forward — one carefully chosen update at a time.
