Careful

I happen to frequent the Best Friends web site just to see what's happening over there in Kanab, UT and keep up on happy endings (as I recall, the president of the organization insists on printing happier editorials contrary to the heart breakers I find posted in ASPCA ads). I'll admit I have a soft spot for this place. I've spent many weeks over multiple summers - as my vacation - volunteering to walk young dogs, brush the older ones, play laser tag with kitties, and scoop buckets of rabbit pellets. The place is like nothing I could have imagined from the website alone. The canyon is beyond beautiful and the heat, if you enjoy that, was superb. What struck me most was that there is always a place for the animals there... until the end of their time if needed. And they have it good, too! Cats are in plush rooms with amazing outdoor climbing structures. The bunnies have all that red sand to dig all day in. The donkeys from the old Grand Canyon tours can eat until they have to lie down. And the dogs... they have cots, air conditioning, hydrotherapy, and are grouped by personality type.

I was fortunate to have met Springfeather on my first visit. I was told she was the oldest of the dogs there and uniquely a coyote mix. She had arrived with her two siblings who had been taken from their dens, yet were too old to be reintroduced to the wild after their rescue and rehabilitation. She refused to sleep indoors in winter; opting to burrow her own long passageways in the deep snow. A bit of a recluse, but had perfect manners. I was able to spend a few hours with her and her pod; watching her and eventually sitting side-by-side on the porch together. She was different than any dog I'd ever met. Although she obviously couldn't talk, it was clear she was wise beyond anyone's comprehension. I felt so honored to have been able to rest a hand on her back and get a nose snuzzle before my trip was over. Later that year I sent a giant care package of tennis balls, squeaky toys and cookies to her 'cabin.' A kind staff member wrote back to me of her death. Even though we had a rather short acquaintance, I was deeply affected by her passing.

It's in that memory that I keep going back to read what's going on at the Sanctuary.

I took photos of all the dogs I played with on two of my visits. When I page through them now I can still remember their names and some part of their personality that made them special. Lake was one such dog. Tonight while browsing the adoptables I saw her. Lake is blind, but wicked smart. She knows such words as sit, shake, step up/down, and my favorite: careful, in which she'll snug in closer to you for safety. I spent a long time brushing Lake and petting her soft ears. She's a special needs dog, but that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve a forever home any less. In this case, I'll post her link, but take note that Best Friends is a no-kill rescue. Lake has a home there as long as she needs. If she's the one for you than please do visit. But, if you know of a 'kill' shelter in your area, please try to adopt there first and save a life! Lake