So long story short, I had to say goodbye to an old briend, Bubba my dog of 12 years, on Dec 23rd. It made for a rather difficult christmas but the good part is it finally jump-started me on a trip to Best Friends. I wanted to spread his ashes in Kanab Canyon near Best Friends animal sanctuary and put in a day of volunteering in his memory.
If you haven't been it's just outside of Kanab which is freakin AWESOME if you are an old western movie fan like myself. Outlaw Josie Wales was shot there. One of the final scenes was shot across the way from the welcome center of Best Friends. The Lone Ranger, Grizzly Adams, Stagecoach and many more were also filmed in and around kanab.
So back to Best Friends. AWESOME. Thought I'd share some pics.
My best bud Amy, myself and Sis-in-law Ginger @ the Welcome Center
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Tony and I at the Welcome Center
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Angel's Landing. If you watch DogTown you'll recognize it.
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I spread Bubba's ashes under this tree into the canyon. Afterwords Tony pointed out this knot that looks just like a heart Aaaaaaaawh
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Full Version: I Finally Made It To Best Friends Animal Society
The boys went over to dogtown for their volunteer work. They got to take a dog out on a field trip. Screech was a Hurrican Katrina rescue, he's a favorite of volunteers but still waiting for his forever home. Tony and Aldo fell for him but I guess he doesn't care for kitty kats and both have some at home so he had to stay. They did take him over to the Pink Coral Sand Dunes from some sandy good times though 
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The girls went over to Kittyville. In Dogtown and Kittyville they have multiple buildings. Each building has a theme be it feral animals, shy, special needs, senior animals, etc. We put in our time at the 'Colonel's Barracks' this building is for cats that spook easy or feral cats that are just starting to like people. They are shy at first but with a little patience they start to come out to say hello.
First order of the day was cleaning. We cleaned one of the rooms at Kittyville. Each room houses 10 or so kitties and the whole thing has to be scrubbed! Bedding is checked and washed if needed. Hair has to be brushed off of everything. All surfaces are wiped down, etc.
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Even poop had to be scooped
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But afterwords came the loving! Best Friends encourages volunteers to interact with the animals, especially in buildings like this. The more the animal knows how to behave around people/in a home the better chances of finding a forever home!
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Ginger was bent over petting another cat when this one jumped down onto her back. Tangerine started rolling over on her belly and was quite content with her new spot!
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First order of the day was cleaning. We cleaned one of the rooms at Kittyville. Each room houses 10 or so kitties and the whole thing has to be scrubbed! Bedding is checked and washed if needed. Hair has to be brushed off of everything. All surfaces are wiped down, etc.
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Even poop had to be scooped
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But afterwords came the loving! Best Friends encourages volunteers to interact with the animals, especially in buildings like this. The more the animal knows how to behave around people/in a home the better chances of finding a forever home!
Click to view attachment
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Ginger was bent over petting another cat when this one jumped down onto her back. Tangerine started rolling over on her belly and was quite content with her new spot!
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Thank You for Sharing
Cool, I watch Dogtown a lot.
Now that's awesome.. I love the pic with "Tangerine & Ginger"Thank you for sharing.. Makes me think that maybe this could be an option for me when deciding my puppy's fate... Of course i'm afraid i'd be tempted to take home another
thats neat
very cool, thanks!
Way coolage! Got a link to this place?
Yes Sir! Best Friends Animal Society
Just to provide a little information. Best Friends takes in Animals that MOST Rescue groups/humane societies etc can't or when there is an enormous amount of homeless pets due to a disaster like Hurrican Katrina OR pet hoarders and puppy mill rescue operations. They take in animals with extreme temperment issues, health issues, feral instincts, etc. They are like a last chance for these animals. They work with the animals including training to better their chances of adoption.
Their most famous residents were 22 of the 40 or so Michael Vick dogs. The Humane Society of the United States expressed to the court that and I quote: “Officials from our organization have examined some of these dogs and, generally speaking, they are some of the most aggressively trained pit bulls in the country,” HSUS president and chief executive officer Wayne Pacelle told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in early August. “Hundreds of thousands of less-violent pit bulls, who are better candidates to be rehabilitated, are being put down. The fate of these dogs will be up to the government, but we have recommended to them, and believe, they will be eventually put down.” PETA sided with HSUS!!!
Best Friends fought to keep the animals from being euthanized. They took in 22 of the 47 dogs. The 22 they took were determined to be the 'worst' medically and tempermentally. I am proud to say that of those original animals 19 are now in homes. 3 are still at Best Friends, 2 of those dogs will never be up for adoption. This isn't the choice of Best Friends rather the court decided it to be so. They will reside at Best Friends for the rest of their life, thankfully it is a great place to be. They have been extremely careful with placing the dogs. The owners had to go through some pretty extensive pre-adoption checks.
Here's a link to the Vicktory Dogs
What I love most is they focus on the cause and not just the symptom. Not only do they care for homeless animals but they have many education programs and work hand in hand with many rescue groups and local humane societies to reduce euthansia rates, manage feral animal communities, etc. They are working to put a stop to puppy-mills, and encourage people to consider adopting a rescue. They do their best to answer every question. They might not have a spot to take in an animal but they will put you in contact with local rescues, etc. If cruelty is suspected even at the rescue or humane society they will work to put you in touch with the right people and have something done. I love the nation-wide and sometimes even global stance they are taking to reduce the amount of homeless pets.
Here's a link to their cause No More Homeless Pets They currently have four campaigns, Focus on Felines, Pit Bulls; Saving America's Dog, Puppies aren't Products, and First Home Forever Home.
I could go on and on especially since I just returned from there!
Just to provide a little information. Best Friends takes in Animals that MOST Rescue groups/humane societies etc can't or when there is an enormous amount of homeless pets due to a disaster like Hurrican Katrina OR pet hoarders and puppy mill rescue operations. They take in animals with extreme temperment issues, health issues, feral instincts, etc. They are like a last chance for these animals. They work with the animals including training to better their chances of adoption.
Their most famous residents were 22 of the 40 or so Michael Vick dogs. The Humane Society of the United States expressed to the court that and I quote: “Officials from our organization have examined some of these dogs and, generally speaking, they are some of the most aggressively trained pit bulls in the country,” HSUS president and chief executive officer Wayne Pacelle told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in early August. “Hundreds of thousands of less-violent pit bulls, who are better candidates to be rehabilitated, are being put down. The fate of these dogs will be up to the government, but we have recommended to them, and believe, they will be eventually put down.” PETA sided with HSUS!!!
Best Friends fought to keep the animals from being euthanized. They took in 22 of the 47 dogs. The 22 they took were determined to be the 'worst' medically and tempermentally. I am proud to say that of those original animals 19 are now in homes. 3 are still at Best Friends, 2 of those dogs will never be up for adoption. This isn't the choice of Best Friends rather the court decided it to be so. They will reside at Best Friends for the rest of their life, thankfully it is a great place to be. They have been extremely careful with placing the dogs. The owners had to go through some pretty extensive pre-adoption checks.
Here's a link to the Vicktory Dogs
What I love most is they focus on the cause and not just the symptom. Not only do they care for homeless animals but they have many education programs and work hand in hand with many rescue groups and local humane societies to reduce euthansia rates, manage feral animal communities, etc. They are working to put a stop to puppy-mills, and encourage people to consider adopting a rescue. They do their best to answer every question. They might not have a spot to take in an animal but they will put you in contact with local rescues, etc. If cruelty is suspected even at the rescue or humane society they will work to put you in touch with the right people and have something done. I love the nation-wide and sometimes even global stance they are taking to reduce the amount of homeless pets.
Here's a link to their cause No More Homeless Pets They currently have four campaigns, Focus on Felines, Pit Bulls; Saving America's Dog, Puppies aren't Products, and First Home Forever Home.
I could go on and on especially since I just returned from there!
Do they take trade-ins? I could take Janet there and get another Rottie...
Very cool pics! Thanks!
Very cool pics! Thanks!
I forgot to put this one. These are deer crossing the dunes - CRAZY
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It would be different riding there thats for sure!
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It would be different riding there thats for sure!
WOW!!! This is so cool 
I love animals
I love animals
Very cool! Good on you for helping out 
Lena! I am so proud of you for doing that, I don't think there could be a better final resting place for your best friend. DogTown is a wonderful place, thank you for sharing.
Wow, that is awesome! You rock!!!!
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