Journal Entry 1 by ladyveg from Fitchburg, Wisconsin USA on Saturday, July 30, 2005

I was surprised at how good this was. It's not some dry retelling of buildings and grants and land purchases. I became attached to the people involved while reading, and the highlights for me were the actual stories of various animal residents at the sanctuary. A woman who adopted a guinea pig from me gave this book to me four years ago and asked me to pass it on when I was finished. I hung on to it for a while, obviously!

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Library Journal
Best Friends, a domestic animal sanctuary in Kenab, UT, is permanent home to more than 1800 dogs, cats, birds, horses, etc., many of them abused, disfigured, and unadoptable. Glen (coauthor of Search and Rescue) chronicles the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of a small band of dreamers, including Faith Maloney, Michael Mountain, and Francis Battista, who envisioned a refuge where such animals could live out their natural lives in comfort and safety. In recounting Best Friends' 20-year history, the author introduces us not only to the humans who brought the dream to reality but also some of the charming and needy animals who necessitated its creation. Among them are Sinjin, the burned cat; Mollie, the pot-bellied pig, evicted from her suburban residence because of a change in zoning laws; Benton, the lame cat, inspiration for the construction of a special-needs residence; and Ginger, the Chesapeake Bay retriever, rescued from continuous breeding in a puppy mill. A heartwarming and inspiring tale of love, dedication, and courage, this book belongs in every library where there is interest in environmental issues and animal rights.--Florence Scarinci, formerly with Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
 

Journal Entry 2 by ladyveg from Fitchburg, Wisconsin USA on Monday, August 01, 2005

Sent to Firegirl today via media mail. 

Journal Entry 3 by Firegirl from Annandale, Virginia USA on Wednesday, August 03, 2005

WOW! Superfast media shipping from Wisconsin! (The poor book never knew what hit it, arriving here in 104 degree heat.)

I'm really looking forward to reading this. I actually found out about it and put it up on my wish list the same day ladyveg registered it -- definitely a sign. It'll be the next book I read, definitely. Thanks again! 

Journal Entry 4 by Firegirl from Annandale, Virginia USA on Thursday, August 11, 2005

Journal Entry 5 by garnetfairy from Sugar Land, Texas USA on Monday, August 22, 2005

Received in mail today, Thank You! 

Journal Entry 6 by garnetfairy from Sugar Land, Texas USA on Saturday, August 27, 2005

What a great book! Very inspiring and uplifting and encouraging and sometimes sad. I had to have a box of tissues but most of the time they were happy tears. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It should be required reading in school to help develop compassion, responsiblity, and hope.

Thank you so much for sharing your book with me!

I have mailed it on to the next person in line - dancing-dog 08/27/05 

Journal Entry 7 by dancing-dog from Cordova, Tennessee USA on Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Just received it - wow, that was quick! Will get to it asap - looking forward to reading it and looking forward to meeting Firegirl this weekend - she's coming to Memphis - yippeee! 

Journal Entry 8 by dancing-dog from Cordova, Tennessee USA on Monday, September 12, 2005

Greatly enjoyed meeting Firegirl on Sept 3rd - thanks for visiting Memphis! :)

The week before this book arrived I found the Best Friends magazine at a local independent bookstore - it's great - upbeat, informative - I think I will have to subscribe.

I had a hard time putting this book down - it was really interesting to hear how they started the sanctuary and to "meet" some of the people who made it happen. I had heard some of the stories of the animals themselves - a fellow dog-walker at our local Humane Society shared two little books put out by Best Friends - one was about Dogtown and the other was about the cats - so I was familiar with Ginger & the sheriff & Victor the dogfather & Tomato & Benton & Sinjin. Reading this book, I was more touched by the human aspect this time. Yes, there were a few tears but mostly happy ones - it's so wonderful that these animals have a place to live out their lives with love. I wished I lived closer - I would love to visit and volunteer! I think garnetfairy has a good idea on having kids read it in school. Thanks for sharing this book.

Making its way to glade1 next .... 

Journal Entry 9 by glade1 from McLeansville, North Carolina USA on Monday, September 19, 2005

Received in the mail today, along with two other bookring books to add to the ones I already have on my shelf. AAAAHHH! Somebody stop me! I'll get to this one ASAP. More later... 

Journal Entry 10 by glade1 from McLeansville, North Carolina USA on Wednesday, November 02, 2005

What an uplifting book! I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Best Friends and their ups and downs. It's nice to see such communal living and selfless giving in the modern world. The stories of the special animal bonds (like the Sheriff and his Deputy and the cat that "adopted" all the orphans) were my favorites, and I liked how they called death "Crossing the Rainbow Bridge." Another thing I particularly liked was the spirituality of this group of people, their belief that they were called to do this work by a higher force, and their respect for the nature and the native traditions of the area where they settled.

Lovely book! I tried to read it to my daughter. She was enjoying it but it was going far too slowly just reading a chapter every now and then. I may have to get a copy of my own!

Here's a link to the Best Friends website: www.bestfriends.org

I will PM Lucinda right now for an address to get this moving again. Thanks very much for sharing this wonderful book, Firegirl!

Update: Mailed to Lucinda on 11-7-05, media rate. 

Journal Entry 11 by Lucinda from Ventura, California USA on Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Just received and I can't wait to read it! 

Journal Entry 12 by Lucinda from Ventura, California USA on Monday, November 21, 2005

I have been a member of Best Friends for over ten years. It was such a treat to read of how the sanctuary came to be. Now when I read the magazine, I feel like I am reading about friends I know, instead of just about people I admire greatly. Thanks, Ladyveg!

Mailing off today. 

Journal Entry 13 by AnonymousFinder on Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Arrived in the mail last week.. very promptly, I might add. I took it upstairs so I'd be sure to pack it for my trip but never got around to having it near the computer so as to put in an entry.

Anyway, I'm on my trip, finished the book I was reading and happily jumped into this sweet book. Am up to Chapter 16 here at the hotel.. will finish soon (have a couple of jams I'm in when I return hope tomorrow, but I'll still manage to read.. and then pass along to next on the list.

CAUGHT IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY CA USA 

Journal Entry 14 by SeamonkeyofTVCH from Fountain Valley, California USA on Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Journal Entry 15 by mysteryfan03 from Moberly, Missouri USA on Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Got this in the mail yesterday with 2 others!! Thanks!! I will try and get to it, probably after the holidays since I have rings in front of it and company coming:+) It looks great!! 

Journal Entry 16 by mysteryfan03 from Moberly, Missouri USA on Tuesday, January 10, 2006

This was such a great book! I bet that they could write one every year with the stories of the animals! I liked the website also, and viewing the pets that are up for adoption or sponsorship. Thank you so much for sharing this book and story with us! I had never heard of Best Friends, but now I will be on the watch for them in the news. I will get this out in the next couple of weeks. 

Journal Entry 17 by Lobodyke from Bardstown, Kentucky USA on Thursday, February 09, 2006

I was really excited to get this in the mail today -- thanks for starting the ring, Firegirl! This has been on my wishlist/TBR for some time. I've belonged to Best Friends for about 1 yr. and have known of their wonderful work for about 3. I, too, wish I was closer so I could visit Angel Canyon, but I figure that volunteering at my local shelter also contributes to "no more homeless pets." I'm going to start reading it right away, and having had to put one of my dogs to sleep just 3 weeks ago, suspect it will make me boo-hoo. Oh well, I can't imagine a life without both the joy and the sadness that having animals in our lives brings. Bless my fellow animal lovers out there! 

Journal Entry 18 by Lobodyke from Bardstown, Kentucky USA on Wednesday, February 15, 2006

This book was great - I consumed it voraciously and could hardly pull myself away. Like ladyveg, I wasn't sure that I would enjoy the initial parts about how the sanctuary was established and built but I did. It was very inspiring, and really reminds you what can be done if you just make up your mind to do it and are willing to make some personal sacrifices. The stories about the animals, of course, were wonderful and made me cry. It makes me want to drive out to Utah right now and start working at Best Friends. I just wish there were more books like this for ADULT animal lovers. It will be on its way to mirp by the end of the week. 

Journal Entry 19 by mirp from Dublin, Co. Dublin Ireland on Friday, March 24, 2006

Received today! I'm looking forward to reading it, although having just read the first few pages, I've a feeling I'll be crying a lot! :)

Thanks so much for the bookmark and cute postcard Lobodyke! 

Journal Entry 20 by mirp from Dublin, Co. Dublin Ireland on Friday, April 14, 2006

Finished this book today. I enjoyed every page of it. So many stories, the one that really got me was the story of Rhonda and Amra. I loved the fact that there were photographs, it was really lovely to read a story and look at a picture, it made it so much more personal.

I could not read this book without taking some kind of action, so I donated $25 and hope that someday I'll be able to visit dogtown.

Thanks so much for sharing this book. It has completely renewed by faith in people.

Posted today - 18 April 06 

Journal Entry 21 by whitehorsy from Hasselt, Limburg / Limbourg Belgium on Monday, May 01, 2006

This book already arrived at my parent's house last week... only had a chance to journal it now. My previous ringbook is almost finished, so I'll start this one pretty soon! Thanks for sending it along mirp. 

Journal Entry 22 by whitehorsy from Hasselt, Limburg / Limbourg Belgium on Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Journal Entry 23 by areir on Monday, May 29, 2006

This book arrived today!
I have two more rings waiting but I hope it won't take long! 

Journal Entry 24 by areir at to a bookcrosser in sent by mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (7/11/2006 UTC) at to a bookcrosser in sent by mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to AmberC...

Sorry for keeping it for so long... 

Journal Entry 25 by amberC from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Wednesday, July 19, 2006

One of 5 bookrings received today from 5 different countries.

 

Journal Entry 26 by amberC from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Tuesday, August 08, 2006

A lovely story of people doing wonderful things for animals in need.

Thankyou for sharing.

Posting to gypsyrose02 tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 27 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Tuesday, August 15, 2006

arrived today. this looks like such a gorgeous read. thankyou for including me. 

Journal Entry 28 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, December 13, 2006

reserved for azuki. will go out as soon as i get an address. sorry for the hold up guys. 

Journal Entry 29 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Monday, January 01, 2007

going out today. 

Journal Entry 30 by azuki from Miami, Florida USA on Monday, January 15, 2007

Thanks, I received it on Saturday. Along with four bookrings to add to the two on my shelves. Argh! (And just last week I had none on hand!!) So I will try to read it soon. As a hopeless animal lover I am sure I will love reading this book.

BTW just want to share that I "adopted" a hen at Farm Sanctuary, a similar organization in California (and NY). Last week I got a call and someone wished me Happy New Year on behalf of my hen. I imagine the chicken sitting on lounge chairs in the sun, sipping margarita, with some hard-working human secretaries typing and making calls. I guess animals do have a good life at the sanctuary. 

Journal Entry 31 by azuki from Miami, Florida USA on Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Absolutely worth the time reading it. So many heart warming stories. I always enjoyed volunteering for animal care but this book really rekindles my passion. I am starting to think that a few weeks at an animal sanctuary is one version of perfect vacation, though my husband's opinion is in the extreme opposite. Well, maybe one day...

This book will be mailed to AngelfireStar this week, along with the labels it came with.

ETA: 2/1 - Received a donation solicitation fm Best Friends! From Michael Mountain at 5001 Angel Canyon Road! Wow. I won't call them simple coincidence.
 

Journal Entry 32 by AngelfireStar from Falls City, Nebraska USA on Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Will read ASAP. Thanks 

Journal Entry 33 by AngelfireStar from Falls City, Nebraska USA on Thursday, August 23, 2007

Finally got an address for this one. It will be out today.

Great book. Loved to read about the animals. I even checked out their site. Sounds like a great place to visit and volunteer at. 

Journal Entry 34 by eeyore75 from Washington, District of Columbia USA on Friday, October 19, 2007

Just got this last week. I am in the process of moving, so I'll try not to hold onto it too long. 

Journal Entry 35 by eeyore75 from Washington, District of Columbia USA on Tuesday, December 11, 2007

What a great book! I was just going to skim parts here and there so I could get it mailed off before I move (tomorrow), but I ended up reading every word. I hope to visit Best Friends some day.

Thanks for sharing!

PMing jlautner 

Journal Entry 36 by jlautner from San Luis Obispo, California USA on Wednesday, December 19, 2007

I got this in the mail a few days ago. I look forward to reading it, as I have volunteered at the Best Friends sanctuary. 

Journal Entry 37 by jlautner from San Luis Obispo, California USA on Sunday, January 13, 2008

A very easy read, as others here have said. As a member of Best Friends Sanctuary I was particularly interested in its origins and this book gave me that information. It also recounts many rescue stories, with as happy endings as are possible.

It sounds like an unusual and remarkable group of people who started Best Friends - and the organization is really named after them, although it incorporates their feelings about animals being their own best friends, too. What I missed was how each member of the group met the others initially, and I hope to read that somewhere some time.

A personal gripe I have with the account is the pervasive sense that "fate" was directing everything. Given that I have in the past had feelings that I was "meant" to do this thing or meet that person, I can understand that sometimes we feel that way, but I believe that if you believe in fate wholeheartedly you would also have to believe that fate meant people to harm animals, and I doubt that would sit well. So personally I would prefer to give the credit to the several best friends themselves, their dedication and hard work, and their commitment to animals, than to some unknown fate.

The book reads rather like a puff piece for Best Friends, and certainly it was written with the full cooperation of the group. I don't object to its positive approach, as I have developed a great fondness for the organization myself. I think it represents how well such an organization can be run, as compared to how poorly so many are, and therefore is a great model of competence as well as compassion. A lot of other organizations could learn from these lessons.

The stories of the animals are wonderful. The commitment to providing a rich life for all animals in its care is one reason I keep contributing. I wish I had read this before my first visit there, and would recommend that others do so.

 

Journal Entry 38 by jlautner from San Luis Obispo, California USA on Thursday, January 17, 2008

A new bookray begins!

Shelly-Sparkles is the first. 

Journal Entry 39 by jlautner at San Luis Obispo, California USA on Monday, November 03, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (11/3/2008 UTC) at San Luis Obispo, California USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to a fellow bookcrosser, 1lilbookworm, to read and do with as she wishes. 

Journal Entry 40 by 1lilbookworm from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Wednesday, November 12, 2008

thank you so much for this book
I plan to read it , then pass it along to a good friend of mine who does dog rescue and is sure to enjoy it as well