Wednesday, October 15
Best Friends Visitor Center, Gift Shop, and Auditorium
“Okay, Bridget. This will only take a minute and then we’ll go on the tour.”
I hurry across the parking lot and enter the Best Friends Visitor Center.
The lobby is bustling with people. A woman with a Best Friends name tag greets me. I give her my name and she finds it on her clipboard.
“You can go in and catch the end of the video,” she suggests.
“No, thank you,” I reply. “I’d rather skip the video. I don’t want to start my day with a cry.” The heart-tugging soundtrack emanates from the auditorium as we speak.
“I understand. The tour bus will leave in about ten minutes.” She hands me a sticker with the Best Friends logo on it. I stick it on my shirt. I tell her I’ll be following in my van as arranged yesterday. I return to Bridget waiting in the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
The tour begins!
We turn around in the big RV parking lot adjacent to the equine center.
Before I take you on the tour, I want to tell you something about the tour and, specifically, the photos. Not all the photos you see in this post are mine. I lifted some photos off the BFAS website from the animals available for adoption as I type this. (See lower right corner of photos.)
The tour is excellent for learning how the sanctuary functions, how the animals are treated, the facilities available, the volunteer program, and so forth. However, one doesn’t see many animals up close which makes it difficult for me to collect enough photos for this post.
Gracie, an Arabian mare
The sanctuary gives four tours a day.
Considering this it’s easy to understand why the tours do not expose visitors to many animals. Imagine how disruptive it would be for dogs, for instance. Just as the staff and volunteers are working to prepare the dogs for adoption — to rid them of crazy barking behaviors and nervous excitement, for example — along comes another bunch of strangers, the fourth group of the day, and pandemonium erupts.
Okay, let’s go!
I don’t have time to frame artful photos as I have to keep up with the tour bus.
We proceed through the spectacular scenery of Angel Canyon.
Angels Rest Pet Cemetery
Wind chimes, dedication plaques, and granite markers in memory of pets
Thousands of pets are memorialized here. A memory stone is placed at each marker.
The tour bus leads us further up the canyon.
I’m glad I chose to follow the bus, rather than ride with the group.
We park our vehicles and enter one of the homes in Cat World.
Special care is taken to protect the health of the cats. We are instructed to use the hand sanitizer upon entering and between contacts with any of the feline residents. As we stand in the lobby, the tour guide explains the volunteer duties at Cat World. Then we go into the indoor/outdoor enclosure.
It’s a cat’s dream house!
Walkways all around and above, hiding places, scratching poles . . . . I don’t want to be rude and take photos that include members of the tour group; thus I’m unable to get a good shot of the interior.
I never did catch the name of this lovely feline who hangs out in the lobby (above.)
The facilities are immaculate.
Outside the building our tour guide points out a man pushing a stroller. In this case, the stroller holds a cat being given a ride “for stimulation.”
Such a beautiful face, Annette!
The roads through the sanctuary are a maze.
We pass the Bunny House and Parrot Garden.
The grounds around each building are landscaped and well-groomed.
Feathered Friends Building
We zip by the buildings and enclosures. With four tours a day, there isn’t time for each tour to linger.
I snap a shot of this goose while the tour bus takes off around the corner!
We pass volunteers taking residents for walkies.
A white-brown-black trio!
This volunteer seems to be involved in behavior modification. The dog is attentive.
The signage sets a happy mood for the sanctuary.
A pooch shows off his/her best behavior!
We disembark at Dog Town.
A canine greeter lifts his head and lets loose with a hearty “ah-roooooo!”
As I explained above, we aren’t shown many dogs. We do go into one of the buildings. It’s octagon shaped with openings into each pen facing a central lobby. This enables the staff to see all the dogs simultaneously.
The tour guide explains behavior modification plans and the detailed records kept on each dog.
One dog is brought out for a petting session with the tour group. Unfortunately I didn’t catch his name (something weird like “Tooper”). We’re told he has many health issues, including allergies.
He moves from one person to the next making sure he soaks up love from everyone.
Fozzie Zef Lester
This concludes our tour of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
I hope you enjoyed it!
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Awwwwww so heart warming. Thanks Sue !
Grandjan
You’re welcome, Grandjan! Well, look at you — Number one!
Wow! Second?
Yup. 🙂
I can’t believe I was second…amazing. Thanks for the tour. I want to go there! My girl is begging for her walk but I’m trying to wait a bit for dusk, which is 6ish.
Didn’t do any chores today…totally lazy. Can’t figure out how to get myself going. Ugh.
It’s ok to have a lazy day, DesertGinger. You have had a busy week, with trailer lot window shopping, joining friends for coffee, and joining in a pot luck dinner. You just needed a day to recharge. Tomorrow is another day! 🙂
Chores can wait. Enjoy being lazy. It’s fun!
Thanks for the tour Sue, really enjoyed it.
You’re welcome, Val R.
Thank you for this photo tour, Sue!
In the mid-90’s I used to work for Best Friends for a few weeks each summer. Re: the Dog Octagon named for Amra (in photo above) – Amra was known as “Sheriff Amra” – he was the biggest most giant malamute I had ever seen – and he always wanted to walk between people’s legs. Since I am 5′ tall and back then barely 100 lbs, Amra would tump me over every time. We made quite a spectacle.
I worked in the dog octagon (there were only 3 or 4 back then) early each morning and a team of us made 700 to 750 individual dog meals. Each was carefully prepared for each canine’s special needs. It was like a well-oiled machine! Several other teams took stacks of bowls to dispense to the proper yards and then to each individual dog. There were usually up to 6 dogs in every yard. We’d start about 7:00 and end about 1:00 or 2:00 with a break for a wonderful vegetarian lunch at “The Village”.
Back then there was no landscaping to speak of – just deep sandy roads. Navigating a golf cart through Dogtown meant getting out and pushing the cart out of the sand quite often. Almost easier to walk.
Anyway – this was a trip down memory lane for me, and I thank you so much. Those were very very special days for me. The way the sanctuary has grown and built up is wonderful – very different now – but still full of the same loving care.
Jool in N. Texas
What a neat look back into “the old days” there. Clearly quite a place! Thanks for your time volunteering there.
Wow. Fascinating story. Thanks.
Interesting, Jool! You must have an attachment to Best Friends from your memories of the work you did there.
Thanks for the tour Sue. This looks like a great place but I also think it would be heartbreaking seeing all these animals needing homes. It would just tug at my heartstrings.
You’re welcome, Jolene. It’s not heartbreaking at all. The animals appear to enjoy the “community” in which they live, the companionship of fellow animals and humans.
That is great to hear about the animals. That is one of the few shelters then that the animals are like that. I can hardly bear to go to a shelter seeing them there. So glad this one was a happy place.
I would love to take a vacation volunteering at Best Friends. On my when-I-win-the-lottery bucket list, considering I’m in Wisconsin and work full-time. So cool that you were there and shared it with us. Puppy kisses to Miss Bridget!
Someday you’ll be out of the rat race, Pam, and oh, how wonderful it is! 🙂
I don’t know what number I am but I’ll tell ya one thing……We missed ya. I’m glad you took the tour and when the time is right, you’ll find what you might be seeking. Remember, you won’t be replacing, you’ll be just adding. Welcome back to the WWW.
Thanks for the welcome back, Jim. I was surprised to find a signal at this new camp. I guess I need to get busy and write a post about it!
Wow – that was interesting – loved your explanations along the way….I am not too sure if there are facilities like that in Aust. maybe in the cities – I am in a country town and you have to go to the local dog pond if looking for a pet…..pay for injections and registrations etc then they are yours. Sometimes they put a picture of a cute dog in the local paper suggesting it goes to a good home…We acquired a second dog in a fashion I explained on my blog.- and now Stray (his name) is right at home LOL cheers for now…..
Hi Leslie…………….I am Aussie too and I don’t know of any places anywhere the likes of what Sue has shown us. Wonderful to know that such places exist.
Hi, Leslie,
Great to see you commenting! A lot of towns in the U.S. are like you describe. The photos of adoptable dogs and cats are printed in flyers and newspapers, both online and in paper copies. I notice a lot of local “shelters” are linked to the big adoption websites like Petfinder.com. If you try to find a dog in the local pound, for instance, you’re linked to Petfinder or a similar online adoption place.
Dog pound sounds better than “pond” LOL could u imagine dogs swimming around waiting for a new owner…….my slip up LOL
I’d fix the typo except your correction is cute!
Oh that place is way cool. I wonder, do they have a place for ME! I would love to lounge around in that Cat House, high up, just to watch the peeps go by.
Great area, too. Beautiful.
By the way… Bloginor Allan, has arrived. A very nice man! I can’t wait to get settled so I can spoil him with homemade soups. Maybe he would like the job of being Soup Taster??? Hum, a thought! We are THRILLED he came on down. I don’t want to take up lovely Sue’s blog… so I’ll share what we’re doing here a CAMP KAY (not the official name) but one that should suffice for now, okay? Over on my blog.
If you’re interested, you can follow along and comment on my blog by clicking on my name.
So AlanOutandAbout is working for soup, eh?
Hey there , We’re # 4, Great photos Sue, That B.F.A.S. is a neat place. We hope you enjoyed yourself, ,,, Timber says Hi Too ,,,,,,,,,,,,,me
Hi, Rusty,
I’m glad you liked the photos. Yes, it was a great day!
Just loved this. Want them all to find “forever” homes.
It was fun putting this post together. Nice to know you “loved” it, Susan!
I don’t know weather to be glad or sad. A very nice place for sure and a 2nd chance for some sweet babies…be safe.
When I see your name Ron Sears…. I am reminded that for eleven years my
surname was Sears…. my first child, only son is Rick Sears….. many good
memories of a good life long long ago….. Are you a part of the Sears family
of Connecticut? Just curious……
No Elizabeth my family is in Virginia and North Carolina mostly..
Rick lives in Sterling, VA.
Oh I loved the gate. Someone put a lot of work and thought in it. I was a little disappointed in the grave markers though…But when you only have so much money you do what you can do.. be safe
Well, money and it’s also space… There are thousands of markers there… They probably don’t want the cemetery to be the largest feature of the sanctuary grounds, keep it a happy place… just guessing.
What a happy, smiling little face Zef has. I love him! Actually, they are all just precious little guys. Thanks for sharing your experience. Great birthday present to yourself.
Hi, Paula,
That Zef looks like a character, doesn’t he? I bet there would be few dull moments with him around.
Yes, it was a great birthday present. I’ll have a long-lasting memory of my 66th, due to the tour and the cake. 🙂
It is a truly amazing place, with many RV’ers giving it a lot of support. I love all the grounds with the different environments for each species, and the beautiful memorial park. What did Bridget think of it?
I don’t have a clue what Bridget thought. I was too busy taking in the sights and snapping photos to notice!
Bless you, Dear Sue, for sharing BFAS with us in your blog!
Wonderful photos!!!
A special prayer goes out to all of those sweet animals & a SUPER SPECIAL PRAYER for all the staff & volunteers!!!
Hi, Lynn,
I’m glad you liked the photos, mine and the ones I lifted from BFAS (I’m guessing they don’t mind).
My husband and I spent a week volunteering there a few years ago. I was expecting to feel those heart string “tugs” each night when we finished our shifts, but……I really didn’t! The animals are in such a lovely, safe and positive place with so many people caring for them and loving them everyday that if they don’t find a forever home, I know they’ll live a better life there than they ever had before. Its a very uplifting place and the animals there are lucky for life.
We’ll go back again to volunteer again for sure, everyone who can should. Its a good feeling to help and your assistance is greatly appreciated by the dedicated staff and the
animals they care for. Its an experience you’ll never forget.
Good for you, Sue and husband, for volunteering at Best Friends…
I realize it isn’t always possible, but I’ll mention this anyway for anyone considering a stint as a volunteer at Best Friends. The tour guide pointed out that BFAS has many volunteers year round, some being local people who retired in Kanab in order to be a regular volunteer. However, the volunteer help drops off considerably during the winter months because visitors to the area are fewer. She pointed out that the workload doesn’t diminish in the winter and it’s hard on the staff and volunteers who are there during the winter months to keep up with the work that needs to be done.
If anyone can volunteer during the winter, go for it!
I remember the tour I took too many years ago….need to go back, looks like they have grown a bit larger.
Hi, Dave,
It’s a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes or so. Beautiful country in addition to what you see at Best Friends.
That place deserves to be called sanctuary ,few places do.No kill facilities ,especially well funded and run ones truly offer that.I’m so glad you got to see and tour it ,and chose to drive rather than ride in their tour vehicle.Even folks that consider themselves animal lovers can say the most astonishing things that conversation with them becomes an exercise in biting my tongue at times.The white,brown and black trio and sign with”make our lives whole” says it all …
It seems that the shelters that struggle financially and so can’t afford much from vets,or to keep critters indefinitely are… -the bittersweet ones to visit-even when you’re able to rescue somebody -guess life can be,too.We really are blessed to have what we do.
Thanks for the tour,I really enjoyed it.With a lot of cute faces , informative pics and descriptions you gave me a real sense of the place.It looks like you got two photos of Lester in there,if so can’t blame you -he’s a handsome little guy!Hope you and Bridget are tucked in somewhere great and that the stillness is hastening her healing,sleep well ,may morning bring delights with it’s dawn.
Hope your coffee was good this morning,Sue ,mine was had looking through a cold misty rain.The foliage here is still quite full and not yet peaked in autumn’s colors.The kitty visit we had was apparently just that-she didn’t even finish the first meal I gave her and has not yet returned,must be she was missed and not again let out.Though she didn’t wear a collar she didn’t look bedraggled-I’m glad to realize she hadn’t been abandoned after all.Wishing you and Bridget a terrific day!
🙂
Hi, weather…
I’m almost 24 hours late in replying, but I know you understand.
You noticed Lester in both photos! You’ve proved to be very observant time and time again.
I shy away from guided tours. Even ones that are handled professionally (without a corny routine or attempt at humor) tend to overstimulate me. It’s enough to see what there is to see without being bombarded with information, however well-intended. And then there are the co-passengers. Tours wear me out. I’d rather tour in silence, take my photos, and read the information on the website.
Have a good night . . .
Thank you,Sue,hope you have a good night ,too.Glad you were able to get settled into a camp again without evening driving being involved , internet signal is a really nice bonus.This kind of stimulation, being the kind I know you’ve missed, hopefully is soon followed by some well earned restful sleep for you both.
Thanks for the tour, Sue, that looks like a wonderful place full of wonderful caring people. How interesting that they have areas for the different species – birds, bunnies, cats, as well as dogs.
There’s also a place for pigs… farm pigs and pot-bellied pigs. The tour didn’t go that way– That’s why I didn’t include it in this post. Maybe they are pigless right now.
And GUINEA PIGS! Faith Maloney invited me to help her feed the guinea pigs when I worked there. They were kept in a big shaded outdoor enclosure and of course with the soil being sandy there were piggy tunnels everywhere. We collected all the leftover veggies from the luncheon and chopped and diced and took them to the piggies. Walked in and Faith called out PIGGY PIGGIES and OMG !!!!! there were at least 50 squealing scampering guinea pigs popping out from everywhere!!!! I loved it !!!!! Faith said, yep, she did guinea pig rescue, and the Best Friends vet was not too happy about having to do all those tiny spay and neuters. (and she wasn’t joking…!)
Thanks for the tour Sue it was so nice to see. I would have wanted one of those chi’s the three looked like a sweet trio.
It’s hard to go to that type of place and walk out without a new baby.
Hi, Deb,
Wouldn’t it be fun to have all three of those chihuahuas? Not for me . . . 🙂
Thank you dear Sue….. Your loving messages warm my heart and bring so much
peace to my life in your love for your Bridget. Thanks for sharing your lovely
life with us…..My life is enriched by my beautiful Maine Coon Kitty cat Clyde who
has been with me for 7 or 8 years…. I cannot imagine life without my beautiful boy!
Forgot to say which Elizabeth I am…..
Great to hear from you again, Etwo! Best wishes to you and Clyde. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Sue. We were not aware of this organization and facilities. Worth touring when next in the area.
You’re welcome, Ed. I’m glad to have introduced you to the organization. Above and beyond touring Best Friends, the area around Kanab is very scenic. It’s “red rock country” and a great town to visit on the way to or from Bryce Canyon or Zion. . . .
You are brave going there Sue…wow…I would have been so emotional…even now today. I cannot have a dog at all right now….but even if I could…I always want to rescue them all. It is lovely to see and hear how well taken care of the animals are at this facility!! Such a cute kitty face on Annette too….and I am not a cat person!!
Oh my, tonight is a misery here….some LOUD beyond all belief yet, group at that community center!! We may have to go someplace else for awhile…not fun to get migraines. YOU, my dear are so fortunate you can leave whatever bothers you…maybe one day we will be so fortunate too!!
Oh darn! I’m sorry you have to put up with noise… and “people noise” is the most annoying of all!
It doesn’t take any bravery to go to Best Friends. It’s like the animals are at a resort. They live better than a lot of people on the planet.
I am sure you are right…it did use to bother me that our dogs truly were taken better care of than so many…even right here in our own country!! How can anyone not try their best, especially with humans?? There are so many homeless around this area and hubby and I wish we could find a way to help them. It is not good to give money as a lot of them use it badly. Plus we don’t have much…guess we just have to keep our eyes and ears open and try to listen to GOD telling us WHOM to help….be it human or animals…
What a wonderful place for those beautiful animals. Thank you for sharing your day with us Sue.
You’re welcome, Teri.
Hi, Sue,
Thank you so much for sharing your visit to the animal sanctuary with us! The pictures of the animals made my heart melt! Fozzie and Zef look like they are ready for a game of fetch!
Sending you and Bridget love and hugs!
You’re welcome, Denise. Glad to hear my post melted your heart! 🙂
Just curious as to your use of your own vehicle on the tour. Is there an advantage vs the use of their van and gas for it? I’d be wanting to have less wear on my vehicle if possible.
At least with your own vehicle , you don’t have to worry about break ins which is a good reason to use your own on tour I guess.
Wayne, the tour is not that long/far so you won’t use $5 for gas; the roads are in good condition so you won’t break springs, etc. BFAS is not prone to break-ins. People that go there have other things on their mind and just don’t seem to be those kind of people that would do that sort of thing…JMHO.
Cat Lady
Guess Sue would see the advantage as riding with Bridget instead of leaving her alone in the PTV?
Yes, Bridget was one reason. She was allowed to ride in the tour bus. There was a beagle in the group. I knew she’d be upset left on the tour bus while we went inside the buildings.
Another reason…. In the tour bus I would’ve had to take photos through a window. If I had an aisle seat, I wouldn’t have been able to take photos at all. In the PTV I had the window down and could angle the PTV and keep it stationary for a photo. Third reason… I could enjoy the “sights” without having to listen to a tour guide and the questions people ask. I’m sure she did a great job and I would’ve learned a lot. It was a gorgeous day and I liked experiencing it in relative quiet.
🙂 All great reasons!
OMG!!!! That Fozzie is too cute.
I know, I know, they are all cute but I’ve always had a thing for blondes. Especially those with big brown eyes and a cute wet nose.
Thank you so much for taking us along on the tour, what a great place full of good people doing wonderful work. Doesn’t get much better than that.
You’re welcome, Rick!
Dear Sue,
Belated Happy Birthday! I spent your birthday on a plane to Germany for my 45 year Highschool reunion. Thank you for the tour of the animal sanctuary. The second to the last picture of the sign made me cry again. Max, the love of my life, died last Monday in his sleep. I know how you miss Spike, I’m happy for you that you have your Bridget!
I wish you a happy and healthy year between now and birthday #67.
Ilse
So sorry to hear about Max and your sadness and tears,praying that you find comfort.
Ilse,
How lucky Max was to have spent his life with you. I am sad for you I know how hard it is for you.
Dear, dear Ilse, my heart breaks for you! I’m so very sorry. I can see Max happy to be trotting alongside you on the way back to your camp at Sidewinder Road. How painful for you to go on without him! As someone said to me upon the loss of Spike, “time is on your side.” You know Max had a wonderful life. You gave him your best.
Thank you for the birthday wish.
Oh my god, what a wonderful bunch of readers you have, Sue. Thank you and everybody so much for your responses. It means a lot to know so many people care!
Take care,
Ilse
Yes, we do care, Ilse. I felt the same way receiving condolences after Spike passed. I hope you are well, as well as can be expected.
So sorry in the loss of your beloved pet, Ilse!! Sending hugs your way!!
Aw, Ilse, I’m so sorry you lost your Max. A dog knows when he’s the love of your life – how lucky for him. I’m so sorry about your pain and missing him now.
Oh Ilse…so sorry you lost Max. Hopefully you will find room in your heart for another animal friend someday. Feel better.
I am so sorry for your loss of Max, Ilse. I will keep you in my prayers. Take good care of yourself.
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
My heart breaks for you Ilse! I, too, have felt that pain, sadness and emptiness. Though no one knows your most intimate grief, I would endure it for you if I could…
I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your Max, Ilse. He must have been a happy guy for all the love you gave him. My heart goes out to you.
Lise I am so sorry for your loss of your dear little friend.
Ilse is what I typed but this I Pad seems to have a mind of it’s own….
I volunteered quite a few times at Best Friends 2000 thru 2007 . Love that place. The animals are so well taken care of that it isnt so sad as some would think. Well, sometimes there are sad circumstances but they are better cared for then many shelters . Mystical place too.
Hi, Sue,
It must be gratifying to volunteer there. There’s no doubt that you’re helping those who deserve it!
I’ve always been curious about that place. Thanks for the tour Sue! What a beautiful place for animals to live while they wait for their forever homes.
You’re welcome, Glenda.
You’re right. It is a beautiful place, so nice, in fact, that one doesn’t feel sorry for the animals. They look happy.
Thank you RVSue for the fabulous tour. Soooo many adorable faces. Hummmm maybe I should adopt a cutie????
Hi, Krystina,
You’re IN the Grand Canyon? I hope you can get out! 🙂
Best Friends is running an adoption special for the month of October… Only $40 with all the shots, spay/neuter, and microchipping done…
Sue, Thank you so much for the educational tour! All of our dogs have been pound or rescue dogs and whenever I would enter the shelter and see all of the wonderful animals waiting for homes, I would always tear up. In the 18 years we’ve lived here, in the country, we’ve had 8 sweet, lovely, dynamic dogs and now we’re down to 2! Over the years we’ve had 10 cats that have wandered in our hearts and now we’re down to 2 cats! For most of us our pets are our children….Thanks for sharing all your pictures! Love them! Kay from Kansas City
Hi, Kay,
Nice to see you here! You’ve been the recipient of a lot of love and devotion over 18 years, as well as the giver of the same. I’m sure you’ve shed some tears along the way, too.
Thanks for including the picture of the sign about dogs making our lives whole. It is so true! I just lost my beautiful, loving, red Golden Retriever. People who don’t have pets cannot understand our loss. But then I think of the loss in my life if he hadn’t been in it!
Sorry for your loss,love the sentiments you expressed in your comment,be especially good to yourself for a while
Carol,
I’m sorry you lost your beautiful companion, I know how very painful it can be…
I’m very sorry for your loss, Carol. You’re right… Our pets give us joy and laughter beyond measure, and that’s worth suffering through the awful pain when they go. Take care.
So sorry, Carol, in the loss of your pet!! You are in the company here of many who have also walked the same path!!
I’m so sorry to hear that, Carol. Goldens have a special smile. We’ll be thinking of you and your pal here.
So sorry for your loss, Carol. Keeping you in my prayers.
What a wonderful sanctuary. I’d love to tour it someday. The folks who volunteer there are truly angels.
Hi, Marcia,
Reading your comment, particularly the phrase “truly angels,” reminded me of what I saw at Best Friends… Two ladies walking a path with pooper scoopers in hand. 🙂
I called this place last week asking questions and they said I couldn’t drive my RV thru and dogs weren’t allowed on the tour. They said I had to leave my dogs in the RV while I rode with the tour group. How did you get permission to follow them in your vehicle?
The website says they have a few RV rental spots. Did you see or hear anything about them? Are they just for volunteers?
I’m planning my trip to Utah. 🙂
Patty, I have volunteered several times at BF. It makes sense that dogs would not be allowed on the tour. You actually go into the buildings that house the animals. They actually have RV spaces that they rent but I think you have to book well in advance because there are just a few. And if you are into boondocking , I believe there is a road off to the right as you go onto best friends road that has boondocking.
bestfriends.org should have info on the RV spots. And one more thing . They have a cafateria with wonderful , wholesome veggie and vegan food . You can eat lunch there for a great price . Buffet style and the views are wonderful too.
Patty…
You are allowed to bring one dog along with you on the tour bus as long as the dog can be left on the bus and behave while you go into the buildings.
My guess re: no RVs following the tour bus is due to the winding, narrow roads. A van, pickup, or car is okay. Just let them know when signing up for the tour.
I don’t have info on camping at BFAS. It’s my understanding that a volunteer commitment gives you access to a camp spot.
At the end of this post I put a link to the sanctuary. There’s a lot of info there.
Oh, you’re planning a trip to Utah? Lucky YOU! 🙂
Happy Birthday late, we are the same age and I so admire what you are doing and how you live your life..The blog about the sanctuary is wonderful I volunteer for a no kill place an angry guy calls the cops because dogs bark, one day I told him sell your home and move, this is a free country and dogs are gonna bark and kitteh cats are gonna meow meow, my prayters were answered he is selling, the lady who runs it it is all donation some big wig from Seattle donated a million to build a state of the art facility, with many dog runs, a/c and heating ventilation, insulation, cat rooms, laundry rooms for the cat stuff and many nice things for the doggies too. Miracles do happen..I love your blog and follow it regularly have a spectacular birthday (late) and a year of lots of joy, happiness peace and love, smooches to Bridget too, what a cuttee pie!
Hi, Mary,
How good of you to volunteer at a shelter! I’m glad you enjoy my blog. Thank you for the wonderful wish for my happiness. The same to you!
Sue,
Really enjoyed seeing your tour photos and reading all the comments. What a special and wonderful way to celebrate your birthday!
I’m also curious about how Miss Bridget took to the tour. Did she have any reactions to any of the places you went…dog town and the cat community? I know she could not have gone inside with you but animals do sense their surroundings and all. Did she like being there too or did you have to assure her you were not sending her there, lol. Anyway, it was an interesting tour and one that Miss Bridget hopefully enjoyed too. Maybe Miss Bridget will do a ~Corner~ for us and let us know her viewpoints about the tour…now that would be fun reading, for sure 😉
Have a fine day Sue and Crew.
I hope you had a fine day, Pamela.
Maybe I’ll turn the blog over to Bridget for a Canine Corner one of these days.
Miss Sue,
Today was my husband’s birthday weekend. We left out mid afternoon to take him to his favorite Greek Eatery but the first stop was Wally-World to pick up some cake for later. Well…in the parking lot was a nice lady with two kittens to-good-homes. I had to stop having read about Cat World. All those kittens in need of a forever home. Turns out she had the perfect kitten for us! Born in early July, litter box trained, and a real lover cozy-bunny -PURRfect! We have named her Sadie. She is a Pearl Gray and White Short-hair. Needless to say, we spent much time getting her new food, food bowls, kitten sweaters, a Winter jacket, collar and lead. Too Cute she is!!! All because of your postings and visit made all this wonderfulness happen! Two years ago we had our Gray Russian cat, LEO, pass over the Rainbow. We have missed him something awful so it was time to bring a new kitten into the fold. Tomorrow I will be taking photos of Miss Sadie and training her to walk on her new lead. If you would like to see her photos then please check Flickr.com later tomorrow afternoon. The photos should be posted sometime after 4:00 PM Atlanta, Georgia, EDT time. I’m CameraGirlUSA on Flickr. Simply do a search in the search box there or I can send you a guest pass if you are not on Flickr already. Needless to say, hubby and I had a wonderful day, dinner and found our Sadie, Pretty Lady!
Nite to you and Bridget. Sleep well and know that your blog helped to rescue a kitten today 🙂
That’s wonderful, Pamela! I’m absolutely thrilled for you and your husband! 🙂
What a lucky kitty Sadie is…. She is being spoiled already, I’m sure.
Belated happy birthday wish to you husband. This is a birthday he will always remember.
I’ll check Flickr later. Have fun with you new pal!
Miss Sue,
So very glad you saw my latest posting. I am running behind on posting to Flickr the photos of our Sadie…truth be told we both fell asleep early afternoon today and I just got up from that much needed nap! Sadie did wonderfully sleeping through the night last night. It was a big day for her too! New clothes to try on…a first for her 🙂 And the lead…another first. She found that the lead doesn’t go all that far. I had to grin as she tried to control it to no avail. She gave up and complied after a few tugs…she will learn in time 🙂 And then there was Sadie sleeping in her new soft-side kennel bed…a small bundle of gray-n-white fur nested into a pink sweater with white polka-dots, complete with a bow design! Cuteness-overload if ever there was! Then there was the wet cat food! I don’t think she has ever had Fancy Feast wet cat food before. It took her a time or two before engaging with it, lol. “Yes, honey, it’s food…you can eat it now. No, the lead is NOT food.” It’s hard to be young for kids and critters 😉 Well, enough about my falling asleep today. I’m certain you and Bridgie have had that happen a time or two…it happens. I will try to post them tomorrow before 1:00 PM, EDT, for sure. I promise! I wanted you to know so you could better use your time and not be looking on Flickr for them yet. Miss Sue, I can’t thank you enough for lifting me up with your crew stories. Truly because of you hubby and I took that next huge step and found our Sadie, Sadie, Pretty Lady.
Well, Sweet Lady and Cutie-pie Bridget, I should run now and make ready for hubby to be home soon…dinner awaits my attention.
Oh yes, I know about those afternoon naps. Bridget and I often snuggle and rest around 4 in the afternoon. That’s when my biorhythm is at low ebb… 🙂
You are having so much fun with your new kitten! Sadie is receiving royal treatment… a new wardrobe, gourmet cat food, plush bed…
Thanks for the alert on the Flickr photos. Have fun with your little baby!
Omygoodness, That place is so special.
I love to hear how people have volunteered there, over the years and that your sharing brings those memories back to them.
I lost my golden/collie mix a number of years ago; his ashes are scattered on our farm, which we no longer have…but I have the rock/marker I placed for him, and his photo and tags — right along with the photos of the kids and grandkids. They are always in our hearts.
Happy Belated Birthday if I forgot… 🙂 Sounds like you did a good job of your own celebration, YOUR WAY.
Hugs from Hoquiam!
Barb
Thanks for the birthday wish, Barb. A golden/collie mix — He must have been a handsome fellow.
Good Morning, Bloginors…
It seems the 1000 mg of Amoxicillin last night may have nipped this ickies in the behind. However, I’ll continue taking it for the next 5 days. I can now confirm it is “officially” October. Check back in the spring, when I will confirm that season too. Ugh, hate these yearly illnesses. Been going through this for over 50 years, it’s getting OLD.
Such a beautiful, sunny day and I feel like crap. Hot soup would really help. But, I’ll settle for Hot Jell-O water instead.
PS…. Thank you dear woman, who strolled through the grocery store hacking, and spreading your germs to the rest of us… it was ever so kind of you!
Hope you’re right about it having been nipped,take it easy anyway.
Rest up and feel better, Miss Energizer Bunny!
I hope you feel better soon, Kay.
Drinking hot milk with overload of salt at the moment. The pain was so intense last night on my tonsils, so I took a loading does of Amoxicillin, two Tylenol and drank some hot tea… woke up about 4AM, afraid to swallow because the pain was so bad when I went to sleep. It was much better, then fell back to sleep again, and when I woke up the pain was gone. Nose starting running to Mesa and back, and now… a bit sore, or pain, can’t decide which. Hot salty milk being choked down while hubby stretches carpet in house. Maybe I will go paint the LAST wall in dinning room…. MAY-BE.
Just thought… I would mention….
“Nameless has mentioned, he’s getting low on SCREWS.” Now, he’s either used them all or he’s got a few boxes misplaced again. I think, really, I should start a manufacturing plant right here, then I would not have so far to get them.
Boy, this salty milk don’t taste as good as the ice cream I had earlier.
I think, maybe tomorrow we will move into the house. Will have to see if I can find some energy to go finish up.
Allan is here, and he is awesome…. I also found my camera…. now if I can locate the cord, I can recharge battery and start sharing some photos. The iPhone is a PITA with this computer.
Okay, carry on… Glad you have internet Sue….
Get a good night’s rest, Kay…
HI, BLOGORINOS!
Bridget and I are on the road today. Before we left Kanab this morning, I attempted to respond to comments but soon gave up. We are moving eastward in order to go south. For those of you not familiar with the southwest of the U.S…. we have to go east because there’s a big hole in the way — the Grand Canyon.
The scenery is astounding… too immense to capture in a photo.
We drove past Big Water a few minutes ago. I pulled over to let Bridget go potty and also to make myself a sandwich for lunch. It’s nice to travel when pulling a fridge and rest room behind you!
Someone asked how Bridget reacted to the tour of Best Friends. She behaved how she always does, quiet when we’re going down the road and throwing a fit when I leave her in the PTV. No different than when I go in the grocery store.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and appreciation for the tour in photos I posted.
I’m not sure where we will spend the night. I hope there’s internet. If not, carry on as always!
Love y’all!
Sue
Thanks for the update,hope you find a nice place to stay,love ya ,too
Happy Trails to you and Bridget. Enjoy the Beauty, and take your time. We’ll all be here, waiting for your sweet return….
I appreciate that, Kay.
Love you and Bridget, too! Safe travels!
We will be glad when you are back online. We carry on while you are away, but let’s face it….YOU are the reason why the blogorinos are here! 🙂
Miss ya!
Hi, Denise,
I’m writing this from our new camp and it has a fairly decent internet connection. Yay! I missed being a part of what goes on here.
Hi, Sue,
It is so great to see your comments! Glad you have plenty of bars for conmectivity!
Sending you wishes for a peaceful night!
I’ve been looking at maps and I’m guessing you will stay more or less with hwy 89 all the way to Congress area. Of course I don’t know where there is to camp. The Grand Canyon is nice to look at, but does get in the way, doesn’t it?
Anyway, good to hear from you. I think we all understand that you are pretty much in re-positioning mode, just to get further south, and don’t really have time or interest in putting time into seeking out Internet friendly parks.
It just started raining here! I thought monsoon was over, maybe not. I have to make a run to drugstore so maybe I’ll go do that before it gets worse or things get flooded.
Carry on blogorinos! I’ll be back!
What a wonderful place! I went to the website but your post is so much better at showing what is going on there. They should keep a permanent link to this on their site.
Very nice compliment, MJ. Thanks.
At some point you mentioned adopting and your life style, you could always explain how you live and point to your blog for the home visit.
Just a thought.
The blog might help. I’m not in the frame of mind right now to face a struggle to prove I’m worthy to adopt. That’s all I need — get my heart set on a dog and then be denied. Besides the vagabond lifestyle in a 17 foot trailer, there’s Bridget gimping around, overweight and looking pathetic with her bum leg. Not exactly a poster dog for excellent canine care!
First, Happy Birthday!
I ran across your blog somewhere and starting reading it. I liked it so I started at the beginning and finally finished. You’re blog is easy to read.
Condolences for Spike, it is always hard to lose a loved one.
I will be joining you on the road in a few years if you are still out there and hope to meet you some day.
Well take care, best wishes and keep us up to date.
Thank you for the birthday wish and the condolences, George. Welcome to my blog (even though you apparently have been with us for a while). I’m very pleased that you were interested enough to read my blog from the beginning. Best wishes to you as you plan for the road!
Wow Sue………………..what a wonderful place. I know of no other like it in Australia. Thanks for showing us and telling us all about it. Warms my heart to know that their are places in this world where animals are so well cared for……….birds too………..so nice!
You’re welcome, Glenda,
I was happy to see a parrot house. You know they live such long lives, more likely than other pets to outlive their owner, and after so many years, it must be hard on the birds.
Happy belated Birthday! Thanks for the tour. It is a bigger and fancier version of our favorite rescue shelter, Desert Haven in T or C, NM that also rents out a few RV spots and provides campsites for volunteers. Don’t worry, your next furbaby will FIND YOU! Safe travels for both of you.
Thanks, Chuck, for the birthday wish. I have fond memories of the birthday I spent with you and Geri. It’s the closest thing to a surprise birthday party I’ve ever had! Hope everything is back to normal at your campground….
We just moved back in yesterday! I’m happy because now we have a strong WiFi signal again, it was very ” iffy” at Volunteer Village! Tonight we have 3 campers! Feels good to be back in the woods with the turkeys and deer!
I loved the tour of Friends. Every time we went by it was summer and we didn’t want to leave the boys in a hot truck while we toured! Glad to get a sense of it now! Thank you very much!!!
You’re welcome, Geri. Good to know you’re “back in the woods.” It’s amazing how happy one becomes when receiving a strong internet signal. 🙂
You are definitely very brave to have gone and I’m so glad they let you just follow along so you could keep Bridget with you. I will think of that when I’m on the road too. You made me so smile so widely while I was reading through this post – my ideal life would involve me working at an animal sanctuary like that one and living in an RV (which might just end up being a Casita, by the way…) Very smart of you, too, to know what you can handle and what you can’t handle – the video would probably make me cry too.
Hi, Terri,
I’m pleased reading your comment… It’s obvious you got a lot out of this post and that makes ME smile.
You know what I can’t handle? The video images and voice over wouldn’t bother me at all. It’s the music that makes me cry. It was three years after my mother died before I could bear to listen to Christmas music. I couldn’t go to the mall or stores (no big loss) or turn on a radio…
I watched an earlier version of the video when I visited BFAS in 2012 and, yes, it got to me then.
So glad You got to explore Best Friends. It was one of our first stops when we started RVing. I’d wanted to volunteer there for years and just loved the experience! Belated Happy Birthday to you!
Nina
Thanks, Nina. It’s Arizona desert time already. Where did the summer go?
Hi Sue.
What a wonderful place for animals. Bless those volunteers. Once again, it warms my heart to hear of people giving loving care to animals in need. Love it.
If all goes as planned, my house sale will close next month. I will have another month here then be on the road fulltiming in my Casita. There is so much to do and I don’t even have a tow vehicle yet!
You had a good experience with Todd at Wades Used Vans. I’m in the market for a good, used van but, they are very hard to come by around here. Todd has one I am interested in but, of course, I’m nervous about buying one that is so far from here. I would fly down and drive it back. Hopefully, I could get someone in Atlanta to check it out for me, also.
I won’t hold you to it, of course, but I’d appreciate your thoughts about Todd’s reliability.
Also, do you use a weight distribution hitch or sway bars?
I hope you’re doing well.
Jane
Hi, Jane,
Boy, these are exciting days for you! I’m happy your house is sold and soon you will be living full-time on the road!
I had an excellent experience with Wade’s Used Vans. Todd was helpful. He knew exactly what van I wanted simply by what I explained over the phone.
I don’t know much about buying used vans. It seems there ought to be a good place for you to shop for a tow vehicle that’s closer to home. Have you done a search for “van fleet sales in Illinois” or in a city near you? Buying a van from such a distance as Atlanta is complicated and adds to the cost, as I’m sure you know.
The easiest place to find a van is at a place like Wade’s that buys up fleets. I hope you can find one near your home.
I have an anti-sway bar … I believe it’s a Curt brand (I’m writing this after dark). It was part of the package from the Casita factory. It has served me well. If I forget to put it on, I notice it right away.
Good luck!
A good used, Suburban will also pull that kind of trailer very nicely. I have a 4WD full size. I have pulled many different kinds of trailers with mine. Good example, the mobile kitchen! My average MPG is 19.2 unless I am pulling a super heavy trailer. I pulled hubby’s tow low camper and made 12.9 MPG and it was loaded over board, too.
The nice thing about the full size Suburban is that all the seats in the back can lay, you can take out the very rear seat and it feels like you have a short box truck, just enclosed. They come with tow packages, and mine for example has the quad seating. I LOVE IT, LOVE IT. Very comfy to drive and if I need 4WD, hasn’t been often, but if I need it… I got it. Now, I also tow with all wheels down. My 4WD can be put in N and follows me around better than hubby does! Least, I never have to go search for it!!!! Now, I also have a full size 3/4 ton Chevy Van. I LOVE that van too. I pulled all kinds of stuff with that. INCLUDING…. a Ford of a friend, a Dodge of another friend when they was BROKE down. I am a Chevy girl, so I would recommend CHEVY of course. You could also look at a pickup. Personally, if it we’re me…. I’d be checking a Chevy Van, and 2nd option would be Suburban, and 3rd, Chevy Truck and keep in mind you could always add a topper to a truck! Or, rig up your solar batteries in the back of a truck too, if you did solar.
Any vehicle you get, buy a carfax report. Keep in mind of the past big bad storms and floods. You do NOT want an older one that COULD have been in a flood. So, do your homework. I’d stay clear of any vehicle that would have been on the roads during all that Midwest, Southern flooding.
And, one more thing… When I bought my Van, I immediately switched to Castro Oil. I’ve NEVER had an ounce of problems with that van.
It’s all what your preference is… what you will be comfortable driving since you will be towing. Don’t forget CAR FAX!!!
Thanks Kay!
I didn’t understand that you could buy a carfax report. Awesome. I will, by all means.
My preference would be a Chevy cargo van, but I haven’t found one with the miles and price I need. I hear Fords are not as comfortable for one thing.
I might have a look at a Suburban, but I don’t think it would haul (inside) the bike I want to take. The mpg and comfort sound great. Those would be wonderful.
Yes, I have thought about the vehicles with flood damage out there waiting for some unsuspecting buyer. That’s one thing about the place Sue got hers–they don’t take in junk or damaged vehicles.
I’ll remember Castro Oil.
Kay, I sure appreciate your suggestions and help.
I hope I get to come to any Blogorino get-together at your campground!
Blogorinos are always WELCOME here at “Kay’s Camp.”
Yes, that CAR FAX report will also give you accident info and will let you know if it was a “salvaged unit” or not.
I love the Suburban, if I want to haul people, I can haul 6. If I want 4X6 plywood, I can do that to. If I want to sleep in it, an air mattress fits perfectly… and with my remote start… hehe I can have heat or AC in the back. I done them all. It’s a nice smooth ride… but if I want to go through the desert, I can do that too. The other thing, I really loved when I bought was the built in map system… awesome if you need it. I use mine simply to locate campgrounds, or historical sites… sometimes I’ve used it to find food in a town. Best of all, the comfort and gas mileage is the best…. I tow mine behind my 40″ RV, I have it trained so well to follow me wherever I may go!
BLOGORINOS:
Please share any advice or ideas that will help Jane search for a tow vehicle, specifically a van.
What about autotrader.com or any of the other online sites that list dealers of used vans? Any experience to share?
Thanks!
If she is on Facebook there are groups that will help her with that. I know people in my RV Tips group will give advise on kinds of vehicles and then we have a file with the links to other FB groups that buy and sell RV’s and Tow vehicles. You just have to be really careful but if she is on FB, I can get her in touch with places to help. I can be emailed at joleneb2@yahoo.com for more information.
Thanks very much Jolene.
Unfortunately, I’m not on Facebook. The Casita forum is where I get most of my towing info and it’s great. I haven’t seen tow vehicles in it’s classifieds–mostly I shop local lots, auto trader, car gurus and whatever else I find online. I will email you.
Used vehicle shopping is not fun!
Thanks again for your thoughts.
Why, thank you, Sue.
I will gladly take all the help I can get!
Since arriving at the decision to get a van, I have been on line researching and window shopping ad nauseam. Seeing a Ford cargo van at Wade’s, I called Todd. Before I had a chance to comment about an increase in prices since you got yours (a very good deal, indeed), he said the supply has diminished. Somehow newer ones are made differently and the older, higher powered ones are hard to find.
During the night when I should have been sleeping I remembered a guy I know who is a retired Ford mechanic and will call him later for his take on the one at Wade’s. I would rather have a Chevy but, if I get all green lights, I would bite the bullet and make a trip to Atlanta.
Thanks for a call out to the cavalry. I appreciate it!
You apparently have done a lot of homework and put a lot of thought and effort into your search. I didn’t realize it was more difficult to find a good used van in your area, nor did I know about the diminished supply that Todd mentioned. (I do believe him; he has a good business that’s based on honesty.)
Your situation makes me more aware of how fortunate I was to find the PTV as easily as I did.
Holy smokes, Atlanta. I just left there on the 12th. How long have you lived there. I suspect you might know my cousin Sarah Speciale and her husband Tom. My mother and Sarah were Millers and grew up in Armington. What a small world. To other bloggers Atlanta is on the old Route 66 and still has many of the old sites, including a huge statue of Paul Bunyan carrying a hot dog. It is a town of around 1600 while Armington had around 200 when my mother lived there but is now up to 400+
Atlanta Illinois?
Yes, Alan, were you talking about an Atlanta, Il? I’m sorry, I wasn’t clear. I was talking Atlanta, Ga.
Hi, Sue. So you went past Big Water, Then you went past all the painted rock formations that look like dribbled sand castles only hundreds of feet high, It is truly a remarkable bit of landscape. Other than the marina campgrounds at Page and the Lees Ferry campground there isn’t much in the way of camping, it is all Navajo reservation. Piece of history. when you went thru the pass from Page toward the main 89 you came to an area know as Bitter Springs. I think there is a road side. It used to be a special place. Back in the early 1900’s it is one of the places where the missionaries came to help help the Navajo become “Civilized”. Interesting term – “Civilized”. Anyway what they primarily taught them besides Christianity was silver-smithing. It so happens the person who taught me how to develop and print film, Richard Renaud aka Mac, was the grandson of one of these missionaries. He was also an accomplished silver-smith himself. But he also had in his possession a collection of B&W photos taken at the time when his grandfather was there. Some really amazing images there that captures a very pivotal time in Navajo history.
If you are staying at Lees Ferry there are some wonderful photo ops of the Vermilion Cliffs as well as going up the Paria river. A mormon family ran a ferry service across the Colorado there , hence its name. Their cabin is still preserved there.
Having a good time here at Kays, they have been wonderful. Did some painting today to further along their move into the house.
Well, happy trails and enjoy.
Hi, Alan,
Interesting comment! I did stay at Lees Ferry for a few days, I think in 2012. I know you wish I’d hike to the Paria canyons and rocks. I’m limited in what I can do because of Bridget’s leg and the need to move ourselves along (We move at a very slow pace!).
I’m excited about you, Kay, and her family meeting and working together. People of like minds meeting each other is a wonderful result of my blog which delights me very much. Krystina and Micky found and met each other along an interstate… Love that!
I bet it’s a morale-booster for Kay and her husband to have a volunteer worker show up. Thanks for the update, Alan.
Hi Sue, if you ever get the chance to take that hike, you will not be disappointed for sure. It’s been many years since I was there, but oh WOW what a memory of the beauty I have.
Yes, Alan arriving really is a moral booster. Hubby was sick of 3 females….. two which bug the crap out of him… 😉
Hi, Kay,
I didn’t want our first experience at that place to be half-baked, not being able to hike and really enjoy it. Someday….
Good for hubby to have another man around. He’s been outnumbered too long!
RV Sue,
It’s late tonight but I left you a reply to your response to my earlier posting of today.
Please read, we rescued a kitten today! It was time to add a new one to the fold.
Sadie, our new Pretty Lady. Her story is posted above in my reply.
Hugs to you and Bridget,
Pamela and hubby.
Pamela! You are so excited you’re bursting with the news of your new kitty! Haha! I love it! I know how you feel….
I saw your comment first thing this morning upon opening up my laptop. You gave me a chuckle and a smile….
Thanks for sharing, Sue. I never knew such a place existed. It makes me feel good. Any animal that can be helped makes a huge difference. Our best dog ever was a rescue dog. Although it was great to get him there, it was so heartbreaking to go in and leave the rest behind. The shelter was probably a more typical one – nice, dedicated people doing their best with limited resources.
Love all of their faces!
Hi, Applegirl NY,
Your statement says a lot — “Our best dog ever was a rescue dog.” It sounds crazy but my experience with rescues has been that they seem to have an attitude of gratitude.
During the summer months when I wasn’t teaching and I was fostering dogs until homes were found, I’d go to our local kill-shelter on Tuesdays which was the day before kill day and pick out a dog. This was after one of my foster dogs was adopted, thus making room for another to be saved.
It was emotionally grueling to walk up and down the aisles looking at the sad, scared faces in the pens, knowing many of them were living their last day. I tried to choose a dog that was adoptable, yet easily overlooked –a scruffy dog in bad need of grooming, for instance, or in poor health from living on the streets.
It was painful to go there (I’m still haunted by some of those faces), yet the reward of bringing a dog to glowing health, well-groomed, all the way to being placed in a loving home was worth facing the horror of that place.
When people refuse to go to a kill shelter, they’re thinking of themselves more than the poor animals who are confined there. It is a difficult thing to do and I realize not everyone is able to go through it. Not being judgmental, just pointing out the good that can be accomplished if one is willing to absorb the emotional toll for the sake of a helpless creature.
Good for you– and your “best dog” — for suffering the temporary heartbreak in order to remove him from a shelter!
I used to volunteer at a small animal shelter before I moved, we struggled for funds and volunteers but somehow always managed. It wasn’t ideal but I always felt good about the animals because at least they were : warm, fed and loved while they were waiting for forever homes and usually in better condition then where they came from.
One of the reason I enjoy reading this blog is how much we all love animals, and by the way Sue, I think any animal living with you would be a very fortunate dog with an ideal life. Blessings to you and all the kind Blogorinos out there.
Hi, Willow, and blessings to you, too, especially for your work at the shelter . . . .
You make a good point… A shelter might not be as well-equipped as Best Friends and yet it provides warmth, food, and affection for the downtrodden dogs and cats.
Good Morning Sue,
Hope you’re having good coffee and a sunshiny day.It’s bright and beautiful here now,the hundreds of tiny colorful clouds that were glowing at sunrise have left.This place is one big circle of yellows and oranges from the leaf covered ground to the treetops.Hope Bridget’s leg is a lot better.Here’s to the whole day being as nice as it’s beginning!
Good morning, weather,
Your “circle of yellows and oranges” has me sighing as I remember the glory of colors at Ivie Creek. We’re in the desert now… drab in comparison until one becomes acclimated and lets its beauty reveal itself.
Your descriptions often evoke memories from my childhood… “leaf covered ground”… *sigh*…. I can hear and feel those leaves as I rolled around in them and tossed them above me… so long ago!! Thank you for reviving those memories.
Bridget isn’t healing as quickly as I’d like. I want instant results! She’s still limping, at times less than other times, so she’s making progress. Fortunately we’re at a place, while it’s in the desert, it has a paved road on which I can push the stroller.
Yes, I hope your day is as nice as its beginning… 🙂
Picturing you rolling in leaves is fun even for me ,and I wasn’t there-another predictor that you would grow into one who celebrates creation!Sorry the instant healing you want seems more of a progression,yet progress instead of worsening is a wonderful indication-that she’s on the mend and that you’re doing it right!The more abundant oxygen and warmth you’re driving through and into will likely add the finishing touches she needs-I continue to pray for you both 🙂
Thank you, weather. You always lift my spirit.
🙂
Hi, Sue,
Hope you and Bridget are having a good day! It is sunny here, with white, gauzy clouds stretched across a bright blue sky. We are expecting rain later this week, so I am soaking up and enjoying the sunshine! More than two days of rainy, gray days are two to many for me – I need my sunshine!
Glad that Bridget is slowly improving. Maybe a slow recovery is better….she will heal wholly, and may be less prone to aggravating the old injury. However, there is the possibility that she will get accustomed to being carried or carted around on her throne! After all, she IS a little princess! 🙂
Hope you and my fellow blogorinos enjoy the day. Happy Monday to all!!
Stand by its heading your way! We had snrain yesterday! That’s snow and rain for you west coasters!
Been raining for 4 days straight!
Snrain – yuck!
Keep warm and batten down the hatches, Cindy! Be extra careful if you all need to venture out, as that nasty combination is the perfect recipe for slick surfaces and a fall.
Hi, Denise,
I’m glad you are enjoying a beautiful day. I like your thoughts on Bridget’s slow recovery. Yeah, I can already see she is accustomed to me waiting on her, carrying her, pushing her in the stroller, lifting her up into the BLT….
Happy Monday to you, too!
🙂
Ah Sue, it’s a beautiful day in southern AZ. We had rain yesterday and today the air seems fresh and clear. I have lots of chores today the, later, going to meet with people re my tax problems. I hope you have a lovely day, wherever you are camped! Welcome back to AZ.
Thanks for the welcome to AZ and the wish for a lovely day. It is lovely here. 🙂 It’s such a delight to read your comments… I’m happy that you can do stuff like “meet with people re my tax problems.” Did you ever recoup the $25 from the Amazon order that was stolen from the post office?
turned out to be $30 and yes, they gave me a refund. Bought some probiotics at Walgreens.
I was going through files, looking for papers for taxes…ugh. Got what I could find, but I moved this year….who knows where stuff is! I haven’t filed taxes in several years because of an issue I had that is still pending: they want me to pay taxes on the 220k that was stolen from me. That is not gonna happen, I promise. So…I’m going to meet with them and start the process. Wish me luck.
Got my wound re packed today…it’s getting less painful thank god. Everything is moving along.
Who gave you a refund? Amazon or the post office?
Good luck with the tax issue…
What a beautiful place. Thanks for the tour!
You’re welcome, Cinandjules!
Hi Sue your tour was about like mine only I did opt to go with the group…I do wish they would allow more interaction with the dog area…I used to support them with a $25 check now and then, but found my money had to stay here to help the now 3 dogs we have rescued. I tried to get help from them when I found 7 puppies left on the side of the road here…they were no help. I ended up finding homes for 5 and kept 2 my beautiful girls! I do think they do good work! I would love to go volunteer for a week and work with the horses!