Best Friends: The True Story Of The World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary (2001) - Plot & Excerpts
3.5 stars -- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and its colorful newsletters and mailings, is instantly recognizable to just about anyone who’s ever been involved in animal rescue and welfare. This is their (sort of) story.Best Friends: The True Story of the World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary could have been a far more interesting read with a bit of author disengagement from the title subject; as such, it reads like a better-written, lengthier version of the free paperbacks charities occasionally send out with donation mailings. The beginnings of Best Friends is glossed-over and not given much mention; this is because the beginning of this pet welfare group is well, kind of unpleasant. However, groups that have done bad things are not incapable of also doing great good, and reading the stories contained in this volume will have you convinced that many, many individual animals’ lives took a vastly better turn thanks to Best Friends. Animal lovers will no doubt recognize the great personality, humor, strength, and tragedy of pets’ experiences in the many stories contained here. It should be noted that this book was published before the Michael Vick case and before the battle-scarred fighting dog, rather than the blind kitten or the geriatric Benji mutt, became the face of Best Friends. Some are convincingly arguing that this group has once again been blown off course, leading to some behaviors that can be considered inexcusable. Time will tell if Best Friends remains a dynamic rescue force for all domestic animals, or merely a PR service for the pit bull terrier ownership and breeding lobby.
This book should be required reading for anyone interested in saving animals. It tells the story of a group of friends with a cause and the wonderful amazing result of their determination. I read this book because I had to read a nonfiction book for a summer reading club and I like dogs. I have since volunteered at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary 3 times and will continue to go back as long as my old bones will let me.Indeed I would like to retire to Kanab, Utah and spend the rest of my days volunteering at Best Friends. It is the happiest most beautiful wonderful place on earth!! To read how it came to be and then to see the result is truly awe-inspiring. From a group of determined friends came a world wide movement with a dream of no more homeless pets. Best Friends has outreach programs all over the country and is involved in animal rescues in natural disasters and in man-made disasters such as puppy mills and dog fighting.I cannot stop telling people about Best Friends but I can never have enough words to describe the wonder of this Sanctuary. I am proud to be a member of Best Friends Animal Society and to play even a tiny part its work. Read the book and visit the place. You will be forever changed!
What do You think about Best Friends: The True Story Of The World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary (2001)?
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!
—Margaret
Oh! So many tears, but such happy ones. This is a truly wonderful book, very touching and meaningful. The personalities of, and relationships between, the animals is truly amazing. We could learn so much from them. I had heard of the sanctuary but never realized how close it is to me -- only 6 hours away! My next excursion will definitely be to Best Friends. I simply have to go and see this place, meet these people, walk these precious lands, and surround myself with animals who have been a given a chance when no one else would have them.
—Laura
http://www.bestfriends.org/aboutus/Go to the best friends website and take a look at this amazing rescue sanctuary.In the early 80's a group of friends living in different parts of the country pooled their resources to buy property in Angel Canyon, Utah and moved there. The purpose was to create a sanctuary where unadoptable and special needs animals could live out their lives. The sanctuary grew to what it is today and animals have literally come from all over the world to live at Best Friends.Pretty amazing story about the dedication of the founders and lots of good animal rescue stories.
—Linda
