Best Friends
Hey everyone - been a long time, and I had no idea there were so many fellow animal lovers around here! I second all of the sentiments expressed so far in this thread - my wife and I have our little "Boxer Boy" Buster Brown (11), Chloe the Aussie (12), 3 kitty Cats and one "Puppy cat" (2-13), a Sun Conure, Senegal Parrot, and a Cockatiel. They are all truly members of our family, and we love each of them dearly, and spoil each of them rotten. Coincidentally, I was the middle child between 2 sisters too! Losing one of our furry/feathered friends is just devastating, but better to have loved and lost, etc. and more importantly, better to have given these little guys a safe and loving home to live out their days - who could ask for more?
There is a large scale no-kill animal sanctuary called "Best Friends" in southern Utah. We have been supporters and fans of theirs for years. Just recently, they have a new series on the National Geographic Channel about Best Friends. They are a wonderful organization that does so much good for animals. Recently, they took in a number of Michael Vick's dogs, and are showing the world that even these poor abused pit bulls are by nature wonderful, sweet and noble creatures when treated with kindness and decency. They take in every kind of animal that needs a home - Dogs, Cats, Birds, horses, pigs- you name it. Even ones who can never be pets for whatever physical or behavioral reason. They take care of them for the rest of their days, and help them to live in safety, comfort, and dignity. Many of the animals get adopted out to loving homes.
Best Friends lives off of donations, and they are my favorite charity, along with the local humane society. My wife and I are the ones who take the local strays to get spayed and neutered, shots, necessary surgeries, etc... For birthdays, etc, any more, my wife and I just say "make a donation to Best Friends". Because these little guys are just that.
http://www.bestfriends.org/
"If dogs don't go to heaven, I want to go where they go."
Ghostrider