DAY 4: An Easy Day To Be A Volunteer

Super smooth day for us at DogTown!
Our alarm clock didn't wake us up and we didn't have our Ogy Dog so when we awakened at 7:30am instead of 7, normally we might have been concerned, but not at Best Friends. They're so easy breezy here, and we rushed a bit, so arriving at DogTown HQ around 8:40am instead of between 8 & 8:30 was no problem. We were sent to the Deja Lodges because we look "young and spry and can walk big dogs." Dana wasn't so sure that's what she wanted, but I knew it would be great. Healthy dogs ready for walking - that's my thing!

We were sent off as a two humans for one dog team with Purdy. "Usually docile, but can turn at a second" was her description. We chose to just walk with her and not make her stop to smile pretty though she is called 'Purdy Girl' because she's such a pretty girl! Dana wanted to know her breed or breeds and I said I couldn't tell.

Next we needed to take Tiki and Snapple, run mates, on at least a half-hour walk. Tiki, a no one knows what but Dana thought a pitbull mix, and Snapple, a Shiba Inu, had Dana totally stressed. Her dog Allie was attacked by a Shiba Inu about 2 years ago and that was on her mind. Tiki and Snapple couldn't have been easier. We soon found out that they had just been on an hour long hike...well they enjoyed their 40 minute walk too!

Dana with Tiki & Snapple

Dana brought tennis shoes as her closed-toed shoe of choice.
(Best Friends' website tells volunteers to wear closed-toed shoes.)
As we were walking in sand dune-like sand, she says, "My shoes are full of sand. I wish they'd have told me that. I would've bought different shoes for the trip if I would've known there'd be so much sand."
I said calmly, trying not to bust out with You-Are-So-Crazy laughter, "We're in the desert. Deserts are known for sand."
Dana: "Well, yeah, but they only tell you closed-toed shoes. They don't tell you there'll be so much sand!"
Me: "They did suggest you'd be more comfortable wearing your glasses instead of your contacts because of the sand."
Dana: "Oh, that is right. Hmmmm."

It seemed quiet around the Deja Lodges and we were asked to sit with Gramps. A sweet old dog who didn't enjoy the section for older dogs called "Old Friends," so he lives in Deja Lodges and hangs out next to a chow mix of some kind. We were to snuggle him and brush him and sing to him and pet him. He seemed to think of us as "His Ladies" and was very sweet, BUT he knew it was almost meal time and ALL the dogs had their eyes and bodies directed toward where the food cart was going to pull up! So we enjoyed sitting with him and brushing him and then it was on to our next assignment.

Gramps is leaning on me!

Our next assignment was to sit with Sunshine. We saw that she had on a purple collar which means only adults can interact with her, but she was most interested in looking for the food cart! She said hello to us in a sweet doggy way by giving me her butt to pet and scratch and then was back to running her fence line with her lodge mate, an active Schnauzer of some kind. She was completely fine with us hanging out in her run, but all eyes were toward the food cart parking spot!

Sunshine's waiting for food!

We helped with a couple of feedings and then it was back to the kitchen to wash and sanitize bowls. We were so speedy, all the jobs were done before volunteers are kicked out at noon!

Back at our cottage, we had some lunch! Dana had a bit of chicken quesadilla and spicy rice - part of last night's dinner - and I made some chicken salad with chicken (obviously), onion, celery, red grapes and walnuts, just like I've seen at the Whole Foods prepared foods counter. So good, I ate 2 bowls. It would NEVER be eaten by Jason for various reasons, but a big one is the mayo. Ooooo, I love mayo, but Jason denounces all white condiments. The only partially approved white condiment is Cool Whip for some desserts. Well, I love all white condiments and restrained myself from putting a ton of Hellman's in the chicken salad. I think I got it just right!

Today's trainer demonstration was at the Fitness Center. Hydrotherapy! So fun! There was Pickles, a pitbull we'd spent time with on our 1st day at Best Friends, waiting patiently for his water treadmill time. We heard about the many animals that have benefited from hydrotherapy at Best Friends and got to hang out with Pickles during his.

Sweet Pickles waiting for the water to fill the tank!

Pickles at work on his arthritic legs
XOXO

It came up in the conversation that all dogs could benefit from hydrotherapy and treadmill work, so I mentioned that our Luna LOVES the treadmill at home and everyone seemed genuinely surprised! It was cute to talk about how it's just a regular people treadmill and since it gets icy in Michigan and can be unsafe to walk some days, Luna loves her treadmill time and will walk as long as I want her to. Most of the time we walk together, but sometimes she walks alone while I work out on the mat next to the treadmill. It just so common at our house, I'm still surprised when others are surprised that our dog LOVES the treadmill.

Two things we've forgotten to mention:
#1
We learned a new word - Zoonotic
Zoonotic: a disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans
Here, I'll use it in a sentence:
Kennel cough is not zoonotic.
That's been important for us on this trip!

#2
We went to the beautiful and reverent cemetery at Best Friends called Angel's Rest. It was easy to feel all the love there among the sadness. Humans really really really love their pets as well as animals that lived their lives as potential pets at Best Friends.

Angel's Rest

THANK GOD we got our Ogy Dog Monday night because we are not allowed to have a sleepover dog tonight. We are going to the Volunteer Welcome Wagon Meet and Greet where no dogs are allowed. Since you're not allowed to leave your sleepover dog, there's no way we could have gone to the volunteer get together if we'd gotten a sleepover dog. We have wanted to do everything we could at DogTown, and looks like we're doing just that.

The Volunteer Meet and Greet was GREAT! We talked with Gabriel, one of the Founders of Best Friends and he told some great stories of how it all started and some of the things they learned the hard way along the journey. He said it wasn't until 1994 that he knew Best Friends was really going to make it and everyone still thinks in terms of how to be the best.

Leanne, Gabriel (one of the Founders of BF), and Dana

After the Welcome Wagon, we've decided to eat just junk for dinner.
Ruffles & French Onion Dip for Dana. Cream cheese (another white thing denounced by Jason) with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce and Wheat Thins for Leanne.

We are living large in all ways at Best Friends!
There is some sadness in saying goodbye to this Sanctuary, but also renewed appreciation for all we have and all we can do with our lives.
We'll see the Grand Canyon tomorrow and expect to be overwhelmed in another way with the magic of Mother Nature.