 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
DEACON
is a “wiggle worm” who greets everyone with a wag that
takes over his entire body. He came to us from southern Utah when
his person could no longer care for him. Here at the sanctuary, this
Lab mix sailed through a Canine Good Citizen class and has the technique
of walking on a leash down cold. |
|
CHESTER
has more energy than he knows what to do with. But this former stray
dog has been able to focus on the team effort required for the world
record. However, he has taken a few flyers into the goldfish pond
at the sanctuary Welcome Center when his trainers weren’t looking.
It’s the Lab in him … what can we say? |
|
BEAU is
the stoic, mature member of the team. He lost his family when they
lost their home and had to move in with a relative who is allergic
to dogs. At the sanctuary this cattle dog shed 20 pounds, got into
shape and reminds his trainers of the middle-aged man who finally
makes the weekend club football team. |
|
SYLVIE
is really something of a couch potato. Already adopted by Best Friends
dog trainer Ann Allums, she may not have a lot of drive but she
blends into the team and has the cuteness factor going for her.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
SUNDAY
is the mom of the team and has a definite air of shepherd authority
with the other dogs. She may be an older athlete but she has proven
she has the stamina and insists on being in front. Before coming to
Best Friends, Sunday lived outside all of the time and raised at least
one litter of pups. |
|
PENELOPE
had to overcome an existence where she never got enough to eat; she
was ultimately abandoned before being rescued and brought to the sanctuary.
She has “bulked up” for the event and is giving it her
all. This boxer mix has the endearing trait of constantly muttering
under her breath at her teammates during the practice session. |
|
GINNY
is a most unusual cattle dog – easygoing and mellow. This petite
miss is happy to let others hog the limelight; she just wants to be
part of the team. But don’t mistake that sweetness for a lack
of backbone: She has overcome knee surgery to be part of the team.
She was rescued when she was found wandering around the rim of the
Grand Canyon. |
|
TIBET
is a great big gamboling puppy. Under a year old, she is “gifted”
with the nose of a hound and the drive of a border collie. She’s
happy to be part of the team, but she has the focus of a future team
leader. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
SHREK
is the team sparkplug. He was brought to the sanctuary by the local
police who found this “scary-smart” cattle dog puppy with
a broken leg. All healed now, he doesn’t let his bum leg get
in the way and even helped “sweep up” after the practice
sessions when he appropriated a broom as his favorite toy. |
|
ROLLIE
is a “pure-blood attention hound” according to his person,
Best Friends dog trainer Pat Whitacre. His biggest challenge is taking
his eyes off Pat and paying attention to the path. |
|
DEUCE
is everyone’s hero. This lionhearted dog knows how to play through
pain. Rescued as a stray on the Navajo Nation, he had been hit by
cars at least twice, according to eyewitnesses, and many of his teeth
were broken out. At one point he had just one front leg and one back
leg that worked. He went through a lengthy rehabilitation and now
has three functioning legs. No matter what happens, he’s a winner.
|
|
ZEBRA
is an older dog who is going to make the younger dogs prove their
worth. He constantly “trash talked’ during the training
sessions. But the younger dogs quickly figured out he’s full
of guff and accepted the old man as one of them. He was rescued off
the railroad tracks in Los Angeles. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
BRIDEY
is the most improved member of the team. She started out as a feral
dog sent from a rescue group in Las Vegas, New Mexico. This gorgeous
Lab mix worked through her painful shyness to accept walking on a
leash and has become the “Zen” dog of the team who stays
calm no matter what. |
|
SEVEN
is a mellow puppy who is coming out of his shell in leaps and bounds.
He was found tied to a stop sign in Utah. Seven is a great hopper,
like a deer in tall grass. If he were in high school, he would be
on the track team, maybe jumping hurdles or running long-distance.
Seven has recently been adopted by Best Friends staff member Lorraine
Johnston. |
|
DARBY
a last-minute addition, was just the magic this team needed. This older girl gets along with every dog and is a favorite with visitors to the sanctuary. When she was diagnosed with a thyroid condition, her previous family felt they could not afford to give her the care she deserved, so they relinquished her. She's looking at this walk as the start of something good, perhaps pointing her toward a new home. |
|
SHAYLA
,a beautiful young dog with kitty-cat eyes and an easygoing nature, is such an asset to the team. She was a rescue who came from California with an old injury that left her with a crooked front paw. After surgery, she still has a little kink in her front leg but it doesn't get in the way. She has been adopted by staff member Jane Besmehn. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
SONNY
was brought to the sanctuary by the animal control officer from nearby
Fredonia, Arizona. He was a little shy at first but has gained self-confidence
from his participation on the team. He likes everyone he meets. |
|
CHICO
is kind of a different dog. In fact, if Woody Allen were a dog, he
would be Chico. He’s the guy that the rest of the dogs pick
on but they love him anyway because he works so hard at being a part
of the team. And there is fire in his belly; he almost died from a
blood immune disease and fought back from it. |
|
RIGBY
was found on the Navajo Nation with a broken hip. This border collie
mix is using his participation on the team as a motivator to build
up his muscles. His person is Best Friends dog expert Sherry Woodard.
|
|
SHADE
is the perfect walker, the Nadia Comaneci of the team. No matter which
dog acts up, Shade will not pull. In fact, he will sit down rather
than pull. There’s Border collie in him and he has a job to
do! Like Rigby, Shade was rescued as a stray on the Navajo Nation
and now shares his life with Best Friends dog expert Sherry Woodard.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
SAM
JOHNSON was a travelin’ man before coming to Best Friends.
He lived in vehicles and on the byways before his person disappeared.
This boxer mix has cruised through the workouts just like he cruised
through his former life. Nothing blows Sam’s cool. |
|
MONA
sees this walk as a celebration of her new slim lifestyle. When she
came to the sanctuary a few year ago from California, this knee-high
cocker-something dog weighted 91 pounds. She could barely walk and
did not want to move at all. Through gentle persuasion she was coaxed
into exercise and looked forward to pats, not treats. Now a svelte
40 pounds, Mona shares her life with Best Friends Dogtown kennel manager
Michelle Besmehn. |
|
RADAR
What a gentleman! This shy young man will shake your hand when you
meet him, just to show that he’s an up-and-up guy. Radar’s
loyalty spans from his dog family at The Fairway to the human caretakers
who have known him for two years. While Radar does seem to have a
liking for ladies, he says hill give a nice man a chance to win his
love. Radar is originally from Colorado so he loves outside activities
and taking a run to let off some steam. And, just so you know, when
inside, Radar loves to be showered with toys! |
|
WOLFIE
came out of retirement for this event. She lives with Best Friends
dog trainer Pat Whitacre and brings her sage and experience to the team.
Once the record is secured, Wolfie is going to secure her spot on
the bed. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
