by Jane Corona

Created on: June 22, 2010

After visiting the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Angel Canyon, Utah last weekend, I am more enthralled than ever at the adaptability and love that animals show.  The animals can teach us acceptance, forgiveness, unconditional love and the hard to learn lesson of moving on. 

This beautiful 33,000 acre facility is the home of 1700 animals on any given day.  It was established in 1980 and is the largest no-kill shelter and rehab animal clinic in the nation.  Dog Town is here, as are Cat Town, and other animals like sheep, horses, birds, rabbits and pigs.  During the Katrina catastrophe, a family of tarantulas lived here for awhile.

The motto and goal of Best Friends is "No More Homeless Pets" and this is achieved through educational outreach, workshops, newsletters and a fantastic web site, www.bestfriends.org.  This is an amazing organization that will not turn away even the most dire and hopeless of situations that animals may find themselves in. 

The tour van drove us around the facility and allowed us to visit Dog Town and Cat Town.  After seeing the National Geographic program, "Dog Town",  it is truly remarkable how hard the 400 volunteers and employees strive to do what is best for each individual animal.  Each animal has their own personality.    Their needs are all heeded and provided  for.  There is a puppy preschool, clinic, hydrotherapy building, an older dog area, and a special needs area.

Of course, 22 of Michael Vicks' pitbulls were brought here for medical attention and rehabilitation.  They are called the Vicktory Dogs and the guide was quick to point out that this breed has been given a bad reputation because of irresponsible owners.  They are a friendly and sweet breed  but these particular dogs have been so abused, it's unsettling  to read their life stories.  Also, many Katrina animals are going through rehabilitation, as are any animals that need special attention.

What can animals teach us?  Starting over after a life of pure torture, these amazing creatures have given us another chance.  Each day they love, play and learn new habits from us. We, the ones that abused them.   They have courage and stamina.  Throughout the surgeries, scars and fears, they are willing to give it another go.

With wind chimes all alive,  the breezy walk through Angel's Cemetary  is heart wrenching.   The moving tributes to all the pets buried there give us pause.  Decorated with tiny colored stones, old collars, and food dishes, gravestones remind us that we are their stewards, to protect and love back.   These animals are teaching us to persevere and to keep on trying even in the bleakest of situations.  Listen to the wind chimes.

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