Best Friends
Finding your Best Friend may not necessarily come in human form.
Love
When we drove into Kanab for our volunteer work at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, we were greeted with a sign, “Greatest EARTH on Snow.” I giggled and drove on toward the Roadhouse and Mercantile just a mile down the road. A spin off from Utah’s motto, “Greatest Snow on Earth,” Kanab’s emphasis on EARTH got me thinking.
The truth is, Southern Utah is extraordinary, very Mars-like. Mysterious and telling. The striations in the landscape are filled with history. When I walk with the animals, I don’t need earbuds; the sounds from the wind and birds are all the music I need.
“… if we allow ourselves contemplative time in nature-whether it’s gardening, going for a walk with the dog, or being in the heart of the southern Utah wilderness-then we can hear the voice of our conscience. If we listen to that voice, it asks us to be conscious. And if we become conscious we choose to live lives of consequence.”
This is the view from the deck of Angel Village Cafe - a Vegan menu
For the past 12 years, Abigail and I have been volunteering with Best Friends Animal Shelter and Sanctuary, mostly fostering kittens. When we began, Abigail was 10 years old and a natural animal whisperer. Our Dean of Students, Jennifer Burrow-Sanchez, took note of Abigail’s gifts and suggested we get more involved with the organization, so we took her up on it.
People can be challenging for Abigail’s sensitive soul - animals are not. When we arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, we suddenly felt at home. I’ve often said, “The sanctuary is a place for the animals, the people gotta go home at the end of the day. Every living thing needs a home.”
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Awaiting dinner
“I’m smart. I have a lot of energy. I’m a little anxious. These are my two friends.”
“This is my third walk today. I have beautiful blue eyes.”
Preparing the breakfast meal for the following day. A volunteer helps where help is needed - gladly
The Sanctuary is on 3,700 acres with an additional 33,000 acres leased from BLM property near Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon's North Rim, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Lake Powell. This Sanctuary is home to around 1,500 homeless animals.
Approaching its 40th year in existence, the entire Best Friends organization - originally founded by 10 people wanting to further our moral progress - now hires close to 1,000 employees and organizes 10,000 volunteers.
Last week, I wrote about the necessary steps of following an intention with action; these 10 people are a great example of doing just that, living lives of consequence.
Horse Haven is Abigail’s Haven
Horse Haven “I know, I know. I’m pretty”
“I need (reach) to (stretch) smell you!”
Just one of 1,500 animals who live at the Sanctuary
We travel to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for our own sanctuary needs as well. The quiet noise there allows us to listen to what matters. Regardless if we arrive with the Girl Scouts or just a family trip, we love it here. We are treated with kindness and learn about the history of the animals, taking all of this into consideration with their current care regimen.
In furthering Abigail’s connection with animals, she completed a 6-week internship at Horse Haven a year ago. This natural horsemanship training elevated her level of understanding of care; both within herself and for the horses around her.
She’s good at her job.
Bringing it home to Park City’s Wild Heart Sanctuary, for these past two years Abigail volunteers 10 hours a month caring for wild mustangs. Wild Heart Sanctuary is a forever home for rescued wild horses.
Engaging with the quiet animals can help direct you toward who and what to care for and is a magnificent opportunity to discover that caring for animals teaches you to care for yourself.
I hope you find your own best friends in this numinous quiet!
“Shhhhh! We’re sleeping Here!”
Posing
I need a barrette
“Umm, I thought I could fit”
Walking Kevin
Kevin. ‘Nuff said
Bunnies ‘Off-Roading’ in a stroller to Angel’s overlook
“I find your breed fascinating”
Abigail’s horse project, Jewell.
When Jewell arrived she used to bite people and now she’s a training horse. It takes a village to help each of our animals
Abigail worked with Jewell for six weeks.
