A sanctuary is a place of refuge or asylum. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah is a place of refuge for homeless animals; it is also a relaxing and peaceful place for the humans (like me) who visit and volunteer here. Think of it as a refuge from the rat race of everyday work and life.
If you would like a holiday where you can give back and help homeless dogs and other animals, I hope you will think about Best Friends!
Today was a sad day at the Old Friends kennels of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. When I went to sign in for the afternoon, I was told ‘Old Friends will be closing at 3 today; we’re crossing Eve.’
Crossing, as in the Rainbow Bridge. Eve was a paraplegic when I met her last year, but she had a spirit about her which said ‘don’t pick me up, I’ll get there by myself thank you.’ And her best friend was Dumpling, the little toothless mixed breed girl that I fell in love with.
Eve, in May 2012
Eve’s progress and care was documented as part of the Guardian Angels program, which profiles special animals from around the sanctuary and encourages monthly donations. Caregivers update the Guardian Angel journals on a regular basis.
From a distance, I monitored Eve’s progress through the journal; also hoping to catch a glimpse of Dumpling, which I did through this wonderful video:
Through Eve’s journal, I read about the donation of her mobility cart and options to keep it from chafing. When Dumpling got adopted in December 2012, I read about Eve’s grief at the loss of her friend and the efforts of caregivers to find her suitable companionship. And in March of this year, Eve exited the Guardian Angel program to give way to another special needs dog.
So when I arrived here last week, seeing Eve and other remaining Old Friends was a top priority. It is a comfort to know that I was here at Old Friends today to say goodbye to her.
Eve today, before crossing
A painting of Eve hangs in the foyer of her kennels at Old Friends
A final Guardian Angel entry is now live on the Best Friends website to mark Eve’s crossing. Read it here and perhaps go back in time to read more about this very special, special needs dog.
Eve will be laid to rest at Angels Overlook, the cemetery for sanctuary animals.
Eve’s mobility cart and stroller, which were used in happier days
Today, I ate my lunch at Angels Rest, one of the two pet cemeteries at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. This large cemetery is the resting place of many animals including some sanctuary animals (in recent years, a new cemetery for sanctuary animals and the companion animals of Best Friends staff has been used).
This is truly a peaceful place and a fitting tribute to the role of animals in our lives. It’s a wonderful location for some peace and quiet and reflection.
Here’s a number of photos and a brief video tour of Angels Rest:
Niches within the walls hold urns and other memorabilia
Many of the markers have been decorated by the owners of the animal
Posted in animal welfare, Dogs
Tagged Best Friends, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, grief, pet cemeteries
The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement citing the link between pet ownership and reduced risk of heart disease.
The statement is published online in the association’s journal Circulation.
“Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease” said Glenn N. Levine, M.D., professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and chair of the committee that wrote the statement after reviewing previous studies of the influence of pets.
Research cited to support that statement includes:
“In essence, data suggest that there probably is an association between pet ownership and decreased cardiovascular risk,” Levine said. “What’s less clear is whether the act of adopting or acquiring a pet could lead to a reduction in cardiovascular risk in those with pre-existing disease. Further research, including better quality studies, is needed to more definitively answer this question.”
Even with a likely link, people shouldn’t adopt, rescue or buy a pet solely to reduce cardiovascular risk, Levine said.
Statement co-writers are: Karen Allen, Ph.D.; Lynne T. Braun, Ph.D., C.N.P.; Hayley E. Christian, Ph.D.; Erika Friedmann, Ph.D.; Kathryn A. Taubert, Ph.D.; Sue Ann Thomas, R.N., Ph.D.; Deborah L. Wells, Ph.D.; and Richard A. Lange, M.D., M.B.A.
Posted in dog ownership, Dogs, research
Tagged American Heart Association, dog ownership, health, heart disease, research, risk factors
It’s Mother’s Day and we shouldn’t forget that many of our dogs have been mums too (whether planned or unplanned).
In my case, Daisy has been a mum – it happened before I adopted her. Although I don’t know any of her puppies, I think it is fitting that we celebrate her motherhood status, particularly as she is a senior dog of almost 13.
Happy Mother’s Day Daisy! Your Mum loves you!!!
Posted in Dogs, dogs and holidays
Tagged animals, dogs, Mother's Day, motherhood, unplanned pregnancy
Firstly, I’d like to say that this will not be an x-rated post!
Timothy is my Sleepover Dog tonight from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Timothy was abandoned at the sanctuary, left to fend on his own on the property until someone found him. This is a risky strategy because the area is home to mountain lions, rattlesnakes and other deadly creatures.
Because of the nature of his surrender, there are no records on why he was abandoned. He’s a young boy of just over a year and he’s very sociable.
You may notice in these photos that Timothy is wearing a green collar. Green collars signify dogs that can be handled by adults and children who visit the sanctuary.
Timothy enjoyed riding in the car on the way home tonight. He also let me know that he prefers to sleep on the bed, not the blanket that accompanied him in his overnight pack.
I particularly find Timothy’s underbite appealing and so far, the only negative behaviours he’s shown is a liking for digging in the rubbish (a common characteristic of many dogs, which is very manageable) and a dislike for two people wearing large cowboy hats.
I’ll be submitting a full assessment form when I return Timothy to his kennel in the morning.
Timothy is a very trainable dog (he already knows sit) and would make someone a lovely pet.
The Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is pet-friendly. Through discount site Coupaw, it is currently offering a 3-day/2-night stay for 2 adults at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for $30. The voucher for this deal includes a Las Vegas BITE card which provides the cardholder with other excellent deals on a wide array of food and entertainment throughout Las Vegas.
As with many pet-friendly hotels, there are restrictions including breed specific ones 😦
The fine print says:
2 Dog maximum – $25 additional fee – per dog/per night. Pet fees are paid directly to the Riviera Hotel. All pet arrangements must be made directly with the Riviera Hotel. Pet friendly rooms are located in classic room types – San Remo tower. Dogs cannot exceed 50 lbs. Dog Owner must provide proof of current vaccinations including exhibiting current rabies tag on check in. Dogs that are excluded to stay in pet friendly rooms include but are not limited to: Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Chows, Doberman Pinschers, English Bull, Terriers, German Shepherds, Mastiffs, Pit Bulls, Presa, Canaries, Rottweiler, or any dog with a bite history. Coupaw is not responsible for the Riviera hotel refusing to accommodate specific dogs for any reason.
It’s been almost a year and a half since I wrote about the alpha roll myth. Yet, there are still dog trainers who are using methods that are based on outdated thinking about animal behaviour and training.
Here’s a great video by L David Mech, who wrote “The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species” in 1968. The book, published in 1970 and re-published in paperback in 1981, is often cited as the reason why ‘dominance’ and ‘leadership’ models for dog training are acceptable.
L David Mech now admits he was wrong and has publicly announced on his website that he has pleaded with the publisher to stop publishing his book.
“Alpha” implies competing with others and becoming top dog by winning a contest or battle. However, most wolves who lead packs achieved their position simply by mating and producing pups, which then became their pack. In other words they are merely breeders, or parents, and that’s all we call them today, the “breeding male,” “breeding female,” or “male parent,” “female parent,” or the “adult male” or “adult female.”
In the rare packs that include more than one breeding animal, the “dominant breeder” can be called that, and any breeding daughter can be called a “subordinate breeder.”
I’m a supporter of positive reinforcement training. Please be on the lookout for trainers who still use outdated information and possibly damaging training techniques.
When traveling, it helps when you can stay in the home of another dog lover. Here’s just a few of the decorations that were in my guest bedroom last night:
The quotation reads ‘A friend is not a feller who is taken in by sham; a friend is one who knows our faults and doesn’t give a damn!’ From the writings of J A McEvoy
With thanks to my hosts:
Abbie
Rosie and Liam
Louis
and their person, Betsy (sorry, no photo of Betsy!)
Open a copy of United Airlines’ flight magazine and there will be a full page ad of a man and his dog. The ad is for Tito’s Handmade Vodka, a vodka made in Texas. The man is Tito, and the dog is resident distillery dog, Roscoe.
United is now serving Tito’s vodka, which is huge exposure for a company with humble beginnings. The company also has a long association with animal rescue.
Over 30 homeless dogs and cats that have passed though the distillery grounds and all have been brought to good health and absorbed by Tito’s employees or their extended family. The company also sponsors Emancipet‘s low-cost spay/neuter programs through events like its annual fundraising luncheon.
Roscoe was a rescue dog, too. After claiming that Roscoe winked at him, Tito had a yard fenced and a house built for him. He is now the ‘poster dog’ for the brand.
Posted in Dogs, dogs in advertising
Tagged Dog, Emancipet, magazine, Roscoe, Tito's, Tito's Handmade Vodka, United Airlines
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