Let's Go Visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary [Paperback]

This work hits on a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Animals have played a very important part of my life for over sixty years now and they are just as important to me now as when I received my first puppy when I was about three years old. My wife and I have been very involved with our local humane society for many years now. That being said....

This work takes the reader for an inside look at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary located Southern Utah. Thousands of animals have been helped through this organization and Ms. Kelsey has given us a child's eye view of its workings, mission, needs, and indeed, delights. The book is designed to be read to children, and more specifically, is ideal for groups of children, although it is an absolute delight for the adult reader also. The photographs are quite professionally done and are works of art themselves. The author's easy style, humor and obvious enthusiasm for her subject shine through on ever page. She takes us on a verbal tour, supplemented by wonderful photographs, through this great organization. The author takes great pains in explaining the socialization process of these animals, stressing not only their physical needs, but emotional as well. This is a bit different than some of the works in this genre. We are given a peek at the different areas of this sanctuary, the bird house, horse area, pigs, dogs, cats, et al. Some individual stories of these critters are told as well as the source for many of the animals helped here.

This book is certainly designed for the class room. Its easy reading style and humor will be appreciated by the children. Each page is full of useful information and the photographs are well coordinated. Many questions are asked which are ideal for taking the children into a discussion. The author has also provided pages full of ideas for class projects, given some great web sites for further research, and above all, has infused an enthusiasm into her work which is rather contagious. Volunteerism is stressed here and the point is well made that everyone can do their little share to change what has become almost a national tragedy. Now don't misunderstand that statement. This is not a "sad puppy book," something that I find difficult to read to younger children. Everything here is upbeat and positive while still being quite truthful about the plight of these unwanted animals.

A WORD OF CAUTION: I am retired now and spend most of my days acting as a substitute teacher in local schools. We live in an area, Southern Missouri, which is more or less the puppy mill capital of the known universe. This is something my wife and I have fought for years and years. The author is quite harsh, and well she should be, when addressing this subject. The problem comes, in my case, where I will have a room full of about 25 students, and out of that 25, at least six or seven will have parents or grandparents who make their living as puppy mill owners. I plan to use this work at those schools, but I also plan to do a bit of verbal editing when this portion of the book is read to the students. While they need to know about such things, I am not about to be critical of their parents in front of their fellow students. Goodness knows I have had many heated conversations with the parents of these kids on this subject, indeed having been instrumental in shutting a few down, but don't feel the children should be subjected to the same line as I would give their mom and dad.

That being said, I cannot recommend this work highly enough. It is an absolute wealth of information and a delight to the ear and eye. The author has done a wonderful job here. I do wish there were more organizations out there like Best Friends...we certainly need them.

This isn't a book just for kids. Being an animal lover and owned by a variety of animals, I found this a fun, informative book with awesome photographs, and suggestions on how a person can better serve the needy animals in their own community. Heck whose heart doesn't melt when seeing a photo of a cat or dog, horse, cow, even a pig? Recommend this book to any lover of animals. BestFriends.org is the authors site noted in the book.

There is not much I can add to the glorious reviews of this book that others have already left except to say that I agree with everyone 100%.

This is a MUST read book for any animal lover. In fact, I think those THINKING about adopting an animal should read this too. It shows people how having an animal in your home is not something to be taken lightly. It's a serious life long commitment for both you and the animal.

Please give to your local animal shelter. Donate blankets, towels, sheets, and pillow cases for animals to sleep on so they don't have to sleep on cold concrete. Donate food and cleaning supplies. Donate money. Even better, donate your TIME! Visit your local shelter and offer to take a dog for a walk, or to socialize the cats. There is so much you can do to help out. The first step is to stop by your shelter and ask "What can I do to help?". Even an hour of your time is better then nothing. And if you are truly an animal lover you will make an effort to help out as often as you can.

This is truly a MUST READ book. I think it should be read in school too.

Another great book by the same author is "The Night Before a Dogtown Christmas".

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