Best Friends - Day One

(Click on photo to enlarge.) Today was our first day at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah and a meaningful day it was! The ranch is everything we expected it to be. The facility itself is outstanding. The dedicated staff is excellent! This place is an authentic sanctuary for all of these animals. It is the largest "no kill" sanctuary in the United States.

Our day was spent in orientation ensuring we understood the rules and boundaries for our behaviors. For good reason there is more concern about us than there is with the animals! We started our day with puppy socialization. Before Best Friends started this training 35% of adopted puppies were returned to the ranch. Now, they have had only one puppy returned in over three years! Wow! Next Joyce and I swept dog runs for a few hours. Next was more socialization time with a select group of dogs. Following lunch we participated in a training seminar.

We then picked a canine guest for a sleep over tonight! It appears to be working! Say Hello to a wonderful lab mix they named Synergy. Sounds like a "new age" metaphysical name don't you think. Should we decide to keep her, her name will instantly be changed to Faith or Hope. Why? She is ten years old and has been at Best Friends eight of those years without being adopted. That is both Faith and Hope! She is very sweet, well-mannered, and smart. We'll see what tomorrow brings.....