You thought you saw it all...

i don't like cats much, but i love this trip!

I think I'm going to pretend to be allergic to cats. I don't think i can be around cats for a very long time. But the rest of the week was amazing! I got to spend time with dogs, bunnies, puppies, parrots and many other animals. I think this was one of the best experiences that i have had. The first day was just great because being there for five minutes and listening to Kris talk about all the animals made me want to work there. I think I got emotional every time I left because I wanted to stay with the animals. I will admit that there were a couple of things that I didn't enjoy doing but being around family just made all the things I didn't like doing the most awesomest things in the world. but I don't think there is such a word as awesomest but oh well! Cant wait to go back and tell everyone of my adventures! Colorado here we come! Again.

-Andreina

"...we're supposed to see THE CATS!!"

Who needs London when you have the Puppylympics?

Oh the excitement...

Tomorrow is the day. The day I finally get to see all of those cute furry cats. I can't wait to arrive at kittyville and just roll around the floor with all those adorable cats! After that I'll pet them and feed them and play with them. I think I might find my forever home at kittyville. I probably won't sleep tonight.

-Jesus Ortiz

Subs FTC challenge

Jesus hanging with Adam

Paw and Disorder

Olive's Smile

Elliot... our sleep over best friend!
Although he likes to eat banana peel

Today I got reminded of the importance of giving back and the significant impact a human can make on an animal. As we stated our day cleaning the homes of many adorable dogs at Best Friend, I thought to myself “How cute and happy they (the dogs) look”. Then we meet Kris, our guide, and she started talking about her experience at Best Friends and how much of an impact it has had in her life, to the point that she has chosen to move to Kanab to spend the rest of her retirement time. On my walk with Kris and Olive (a dog), Kris told me the story of Olive and how much he had suffered due to a hording experience. At the moment, I got reminded of how much looks can be deceiving. Through Olive’s smile, I would have never imagined that he was a victim of animal cruelty. By the end of our work day, I became to appreciate even more all the volunteer and staff at Best Friends because they can and have truly changed the lives of many animals and people as well.

Ray and Nugget on a walk

-Esmeralda Rodriguez 

weeding at Dogtown

Jingle Bell Rock

Did you know?

-The parrot-smuggling industry is more profitable than the cocaine-smuggling industry in the United States.

-Rabbits poop 360 times a day.

-Christmas music on a playlist is still magical in the middle of July (thanks Jorge).

Today I learned...

That this group of people is special.  Really special.  Actually, I already knew that.  But I would guess that a Best Friends guide has never had to ask a group to turn down their energy and excitement a little bit after telling them that they'll be cleaning up rabbit poop for the next two hours.  Just sayin'.

-Jeff 

Ochoa's Animal Hour

Mork and Mindy.  Mork has been living
with leukemia for the last 2 years.  Best Friends
is essentially his hospice home.

      My first day at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was awesome! I did not know what to expect...I thought there was just going to be sheds and animals in them. I soon learned there was so much more to the animals we saw, along with housing and nourishment. We began the tour of where we would be helping, in which we saw raptors and tropical birds. These raptors and birds were either injured or were around human interaction too much and would not be able to live a regular life in the wild. It was sad to see all the birds because they were so beautiful and people that gave them to the shelter did not want them anymore or could not keep them anymore. We were also told there was a certain way to groom a bird but many people who just buy a bird do not realize that. This is important to know because in the wild, grooming the back or under the wings means that the bird is ready to mate. So this causes problems for the birds because they are confused and they begin acting out towards their owner by being really loud and biting.

Andreina utilizes her bird-whisperer
skills with Seppi

We were then dismissed to lunch and we headed toward a really amazing resting area. It looked like a naturally formed theater with some improvement of tables, bathrooms, a stage, and perfect grass.

15 bags...all filled with cocoa puffs--I mean, rabbit poop.

After lunch we began to do the dirty work, which is essentially why we are here to help--not just observe. This part of the day made my day basically. We were instructed on how to hold rabbits, clean, and open the rabbits cages. It seems like a boring task but when everyone is as excited as yourself to help it becomes a fun activity. We observed that rabbit droppings looked like cocoa puffs which was kind of funny how we thought about food as we cleaned poop. Everyone got to check out how the injured or sick rabbits were being cared for. We learned that most of the rabbits came from a hoarding situation that happened in 2006 and that was cool for me to know. That meant these animals actually needed help and were living in a bad environment and by me helping I am in a way making sure a good environment is being maintained for the rabbits. The dirty work was done and we had a refreshment of ice pops but one more task needed to be met, giving the rabbits some treats. I thought it was fun but weird because i had no clue rabbits loved cilantro. All and all it was a great day of hard work and education with the animals we are helping out.
                
 - Jesus Ochoa

"Are you taking a video...or a picture?"

Road Trip!!!!

Early in the morning, you may think it is boring,
But not with us because we are going on a ROAD TRIP!!!
We have our vans packed with all of our snacks,
listening to music and waving our hands.
Trying not to think about eating any meats,
because we're on our way to give furry animals some tasty treats!

-Daisy Espino

In the words of Rafiki: "It is time."