Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

[lunacycles]

I worked for a local sanctuary whose director annually for a few years would go to Best Friends and spend a week volunteering and learning. She went at the time the Vick dogs were brought there, and was really blown away at how damaged they were, that this was the only facility capable of taking them on and providing quality of life to them who, as you noted, have been unimaginably abused. Animal cruelty is so hard to bear, and such a lesson for us. I adore Best Friends. And all people who do this kind of work in their own little ways. That is so great you got to visit.

Zen, the beauty of Best Friends (I think) is that even though the past was not ideal, they are animals who are being treated well and with love/respect now, and thus you see how resilient the dog (or cat, human, or any) spirit is in the right conditions. It's not depressing; it's inspiring.

[emily_in_nc]

Best Friends is a wonderful organization! I became aware of them through watching Dog Town on NGC, which sadly is no longer on. I am so thankful that there are so many kind people to work and volunteer at such an important facility. itself, thanks for helping out there. I bet it was a very fulfilling weekend!

Emily

[badger]

Best Friends is a wonderful organization! I became aware of them through watching Dog Town on NGC, which sadly is no longer on. I am so thankful that there are so many kind people to work and volunteer at such an important facility. itself, thanks for helping out there. I bet it was a very fulfilling weekend!

Emily

WHAT?! it's not on anymore? as in they no longer air it or they no longer produce it? I thought it was such a valuable show to highlight the cruelty/sadness/rehabilitation/dedication/inspiration that's in every single episode.

I was especially moved in the episode where they showed the guy who works full time at the cemetary, how he cares so deeply about every single animal that crosses the rainbow bridge and does little ceremonies for them. The episodes where the animals die are so sad, but they all were shown love in the time they were there.

[itself]

Trek420,

Thank you for posting the article. People too easily forgive him.

The universe will take care of him. He is evil and it will come back around.

[Trek420]

Trek420,

Thank you for posting the article. People too easily forgive him.

The universe will take care of him. He is evil and it will come back around.

Yeah, karma's a b*tch. But she takes too long. I'd like those big pitt-puppy doggie loving defensive linemen to say "that's for my shelter adopted pitt, next one's for Hector, then one's for Audie, then we'll work on each of the dogs in the pool ...." as they trot back to the line.

I'm not a football fan but this does make it interesting.

Meanwhile thank you everyone who volunteers for animals and adopts.

[OakLeaf]

Thank you for volunteering.

[bambu101]

Best Friends has a wonderful reputation in the rescue and sanctuary community. Someone from a parrot board I am on is now the manager of the Parrot Garden section there. I would love to go there someday.

There is a great book about the beginnings of Best Friends in 1982:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Friends-W...8379222&sr=1-1

[emily_in_nc]

WHAT?! it's not on anymore? as in they no longer air it or they no longer produce it? I thought it was such a valuable show to highlight the cruelty/sadness/rehabilitation/dedication/inspiration that's in every single episode.

I was especially moved in the episode where they showed the guy who works full time at the cemetary, how he cares so deeply about every single animal that crosses the rainbow bridge and does little ceremonies for them. The episodes where the animals die are so sad, but they all were shown love in the time they were there.

No longer produced, unfortunately. I read a blurb about the show being over not too long ago. That's not to say that NGC might not show reruns -- I hope so, though I haven't noticed it on lately. I didn't see the episode you mention; I hope I get a chance to. Every episode seemed to make me laugh and cry.

[badger]

I wonder why?

the episode I mention isn't all about him, it's actually a small part. It came about when one of the vets took a seriously sick dog home as foster when he just went straight downhill and he had to euthanize him at home. I had a hard time watching that episode and pretty much started bawling when they showed the cemetery scene.

[TsPoet]

Most of the people I know are not thrilled with the place.
I watched the first episode on Vick's dogs. I cried, I laughed a little, I went to bed feeling ill and so happy that place existed...
and I woke up upset and dismayed.
I can't remember the numbers now, but they discussed one of his dogs that was not adoptable and how much money she was going to cost them a year for the rest of her life - but they'll happily pay it (bring on the tears)... The amount of money the organization I work with could use to save approximately 100 dogs. That's right, 100 adoptable dogs that don't have a chance because we don't have any funding.
I'm not saying those 100 dogs have more right to life than the one dog, but really? Can't the money and expertise they employ there be used to help more?

[badger]

If you want to talk about disparity, how about the local spca I volunteer for? A couple of years ago they lost all public respect because it came to light that the AGM was giving himself huge raises to the point where he was making over $200K!! How he sleeps at night is beyond me, canvassing the public for funds to help the animals when he was stealing from them.

Every place (and people, too) will have their fans and nay-sayers. Poet, you bring up a valid point, but I still think they do right by the animals.

[nancielle]

...
I was especially moved in the episode where they showed the guy who works full time at the cemetary, how he cares so deeply about every single animal that crosses the rainbow bridge and does little ceremonies for them. The episodes where the animals die are so sad, but they all were shown love in the time they were there.

I remember that episode so well. It was for Bruno, the elderly Chow Chow with the neurological problems (listed to one side, had difficulty walking, had gone home with one of the vets so he could be monitored more closely.) The ceremony is so touching. I love the windchime "garden" they have there...every time you hear the chimes it's the spirit of the animals who've passed on letting the people know they're ok. Since seeing that I've given small windchimes to people I know who've lost their pets. I have one in our back yard for a cat who had somehow gotten into our basement (probably for warmth, it was winter), couldn't find a way back out and died. He was found when another tenant went to check on the furnaces.

Itself, sounds like you had an incredible experience. A firecracker? Really? Who thinks up this sort of thing to do to an animal. I hope they caught the person who did this to that poor cat.

I wish they'd make more episodes of Dog Town.

[indysteel]

Watch this heartwarming PBS video of what's happened to Vick's dogs:

http://video.pbs.org/video/1757336290

I don't post that to get into a debate about Pits. I understand that they engender very strong reactions. I just think the love and care that's gone into rehabilitating these dogs is fantastic. I also think it's incredible that their rescue was the result of another dog's police work. Yay for our four-legged friends and those who work to protect and care for them.

[badger]

Indy, thank you SO much for posting that. Seeing things like that really restores my faith in humanity, that there are enough people out there who care about that breed and want them to be viewed as the good dogs they are. It just strengthens my desire to be a guardian to a pit bull all the more.

[indysteel]

Indy, thank you SO much for posting that. Seeing things like that really restores my faith in humanity, that there are enough people out there who care about that breed and want them to be viewed as the good dogs they are. It just strengthens my desire to be a guardian to a pit bull all the more.

You're welcome. I wanted to reach through my computer and give all those dogs and their humans a huge hug. Bless their hearts.

Where are you in the adoption process?