Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Click the "Create Account" button now to join.

To disable ads, please log-in.

Shop at TeamEstrogen.com for women's cycling apparel.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 29
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    757

    Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

    To disable ads, please log-in.

    Well, we just returned from a long weekend at Best Friends, I believe it is the largest animal sanctuary in the US. There are 1600 animal on the grounds. We volunteered all weekend, with the cats, bunnies and dogs. We stayed in one of the cabins on the grounds, and I have to say, it was a life changing experiences.

    We met two particular cats that touched our hearts. Smokey, a 3 year old female Russian Blue cat, whose rectum was destroyed by someone who stuck a firecracker up her bum. Thumper, a paralyzed black cat, from a dog attack.

    We were the first ever to do a cat outing up to Angle's landing with a paralyzed cat. Smokey, who is harness leash trained, had a marvelous time running around the area of grass. We spent much of our time at the Cat Motel, where many cats are housed who will probably not be adopted.

    There are over 600 cat and 600 dogs there. Horses, pigs, bunnies. The sanctuary covers acres, and if you have not visited the Angel's Rest Cemetery, even the toughest of you will cry. Chimes hanging and ringing everywhere....

    Tell your friends about Best Friends. I am amazed how many do not know about it. Donate your time, and even money. It's an incredible place.

    And for those of you that know Michael Vick, the football player, his dogs ended up here. Georgia, whom we did not meet this time around, a female pitbull whose teeth were removed by some veterinarian. She was tied to a chair, and forcibly raped by the male pitbulls. She is incredibly friendly from what others told us.

    Check their website out at www.bestfriends.org
    Lisa

    Bacchetta Ti Aero
    ICE B1
    Bacchetta Cafe Mountain Bent

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    1,333
    oh, I am SOOO jealous!!

    I've been watching Dog Town, and it never ceases to amaze me just how wonderful that organization is, and if I ever win boatloads of money in a lottery, I would create a sanctuary like that up here in Canada.

    If I lived closer to Utah, I seriously would try to get a job there or at the very least do what you did and have volunteer trips.

    I'm glad you had such a great experience there, and thanks for sharing your story!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Limbo
    Posts
    8,769
    I do know about that place. I'm pretty sure I couldn't bear a visit. I can't even visit the animal control adoption center
    2008 Trek FX 7.2/Terry Cite X
    2009 Jamis Aurora/Brooks B-68
    2010 Trek FX 7.6 WSD/stock bontrager

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    355
    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Traveling Nomad
    Posts
    6,763
    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
    Emily

    2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
    2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
    2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Mrs. KnottedYet
    Posts
    9,152
    Quote Originally Posted by lunacycles View Post
    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.
    Local group, BADRAP, got involved helping train and rehome many of the Vick dogs. It's remarkable how well many of them are doing.

    http://www.badrap.org/rescue/news.html

    Thanks to all the volunteers especially those who foster animals. Please support and adopt from a shelter if you want a pet.

    As for Vick, this said in the most friendly, forgiving, non-violent, peaceful, loving all things spirit but for as long as he remains in pro football I hope that opposing teams get the biggest, baddest, dog lovinging'est, defensive line they can find and have them read this before every game with him.

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...scol110309.DTL
    Last edited by Trek420; 07-05-2010 at 02:20 PM.
    Fancy Schmancy Custom Road bike ~ Mondonico Futura Legero
    Found on side of the road bike ~ Motobecane Mixte
    Gravel bike ~ Salsa Vaya
    Favorite bike ~ Soma Buena Vista mixte
    Folder ~ Brompton
    N+1 ~ My seat on the Rover recumbent tandem
    https://www.instagram.com/pugsley_adventuredog/

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    1,333
    Quote Originally Posted by emily_in_nc View Post
    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.
    Last edited by badger; 07-05-2010 at 02:20 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    757
    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.
    Lisa

    Bacchetta Ti Aero
    ICE B1
    Bacchetta Cafe Mountain Bent

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Mrs. KnottedYet
    Posts
    9,152
    Quote Originally Posted by itself View Post
    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.
    Last edited by Trek420; 07-05-2010 at 04:13 PM.
    Fancy Schmancy Custom Road bike ~ Mondonico Futura Legero
    Found on side of the road bike ~ Motobecane Mixte
    Gravel bike ~ Salsa Vaya
    Favorite bike ~ Soma Buena Vista mixte
    Folder ~ Brompton
    N+1 ~ My seat on the Rover recumbent tandem
    https://www.instagram.com/pugsley_adventuredog/

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    Thank you for volunteering.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Western Massachusetts
    Posts
    304
    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
    Please visit my etsy shop and support avian rescue and sanctuary efforts:
    http://www.BagsofAFeather.etsy.com

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Traveling Nomad
    Posts
    6,763
    Quote Originally Posted by badger View Post
    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.
    Emily

    2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
    2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
    2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    1,333
    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.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    1,372
    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?
    My photoblog
    http://dragons-fly-peacefully.blogspot.com/
    Bacchetta Giro (recumbent commuter)
    Bacchetta Corsa (recumbent "fast" bike)
    Greespeed X3 (recumbent "just for fun" trike)
    Strada Velomobile
    I will never buy another bike!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Lake Superior in the summer; southern WI the rest of the year
    Posts
    67
    That's the most heartbreaking, haunting article I've ever read. We have two rescued pit bulls, and when I look at them, I think of the terrible things Vick did to similar creatures. It's hard to imagine or to bear.

 

 

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •