On our lunch break we went down to Angels Rest again just to be there. It's so wonderful to see the memorials left there for all the departed animals that brought such joy into their owners' lives, and it's so peaceful. To me, there isn't much that's more relaxing than hearing those wind chimes in the breeze. When 1 PM rolled around, we got back in the car and drove back to Dogtown HQ to get our last volunteering assignment.

We had wanted to take a dog on an outing, and after referencing our list we decided on going back to the Fairway, where Bramble lives. We drove over to the Fairway and asked what we could do to help. They needed some help with cleaning so we offered to help with that and then maybe take a dog on an outing afterwards. The caregivers there showed us where the mop bucket and brooms were, and all we had to do was go into a few of the runs (some of them had been cleaned already), and get everything off the floor in the interior section and sweep and mop it, and then go out into the run and sweep all the sand off the concrete walkway that rings the run.

This was a good amount of work, but it was fun because we got to hang out with the dogs, and the dogs of the Fairway are always fun to spend time with. First we did Julep's run, and she was very mellow and affectionate. She liked being petted and didn't mind at all that we were cleaning up her area. Then we went next door to Pogo and Enzo's run, two very friendly and energetic dogs. They spent most of their time running up and down the length of the fence barking at Chico, their next door neighbor, but Pogo made time to jump on me affectionately and lick me.

Sadly, as volunteers, we can’t!

When we stopped to take a break in the middle of their run, Pogo came over for some pets and attention, which we gladly gave her. Enzo continued to race up and down the fence as if to emulate his namesake. We got their run cleaned up and moved over to Chico's run. Chico was a bit more mellow, like Julep, but he was affectionate as well. We cleaned his run and then we started on the main floor of the octagon. We got it all swept up and mopped, but then we realized we had missed the big off-leash walk that had been scheduled for 2 that afternoon.

We decided then that we would grab a dog for an outing instead, and we chose Spuds, since he hadn't gone on an outing in a while. The caregiver went in to leash him up, and brought him out into the main area of the octagon. Right then something caught my eye, and I turned to my right to see Pogo and Enzo literally bouncing off the wall in their run. They would jump really high, then kick off against the wall to get even higher. The funny part is that they were both doing it, and alternating. We wanted to take a video of them doing it but we weren't fast enough. At least we found out how Pogo got her name.

We got Spuds and he climbed into the back seat of the car, and we left to go check him out at Dogtown HQ. We only had about an hour, so we drove out to the front entrance of Best Friends to take some pictures, then we headed into Kanab. We drove around some of the developments in Kanab, looking at the houses and townhouses that were available, trying to figure out a way to move up there so we could volunteer at Best Friends all the time. Spuds hung out in the back, seemingly happy to get out and about for a while.

Spuds keeps an eye on us through the mirror

We headed back to Best Friends, checked Spuds back in to HQ, and dropped him off at his home at the Fairway. Then we were done with our duties as volunteers for the weekend, and we said goodbye to all the animals as we drove out to the welcome center. It's hard not to buy stuff there since they have so much cool stuff and all the money goes to a good cause. I bought another shirt, a catnip toy for my cat and a license plate frame. An bought some more chocolate and a t-shirt.

Exhausted and happy, we turned out onto the main road and went back to Kanab to get something to eat before driving home. Just like last time, our weekend at Best Friends was an exceedingly rewarding experience. We got exercise and fresh air, we helped the animals in our own small way by walking them or cleaning their areas, and we made some new friends, both human and animal. I'm never going to forget how Rebo flopped down against me and put his head in my lap, or how Miss Heidi began to timidly lick my face after showing her some affection.

You can't put a price on that.

In the time between this past weekend at Best Friends and finishing this writeup, I have applied to adopt Dakota, the big Siberian Husky living in Conrad's. With any luck, I'll have the opportunity to provide a home and a family for a dog who needs one.

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“Just like last time, our weekend at Best Friends was an exceedingly rewarding experience...

You can’t put a price on that.”