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Summary: A book for all animal lovers
Review: "Best Friends" will make you feel both joy and sadness. Joy for every animal saved and sadness for the reality that there are many people who treat animals as nothing more than disposable objects.As for the writing, the author was able to bring out in me the full range of emotions that I experience as a pet owner. The day to day happiness they bring, the worry when they are ill and the sadness when it is time to say good bye.
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Summary: Best Friends Story Evokes Strong Emotions
Review: February 11, 2001 Two emotions accompanied me throughout the reading of Samantha Glen's Best Friends, a beautifully written history of the country's most beloved animal sanctuary. The first was surprise. I couldn't believe how riveting such a simple story could be. Ms. Glen did a marvelous job developing the characters, both human and animal, into personalities I wanted to wrap my arms around and know more about. She writes with the same understated, sensitive and respectful tone I imagine permeates the entire compound. Without being sentimental or syrupy, she manages just the right balance between gritty realities and poignant moments. Much of my interest in the Best Friends saga results from my membership with the organization over the last five years. The book made me want to know more about the place: how it started, how it operates, what it looks like from the inside. I wanted especially to know more about the care-takers. For a precious few days, my primary goal returning home from my uninspiring 8-to-5 job was to continue reading about theirs. Perhaps this explains the other--surprisingly strong--emotion that accompanied my reading. Simply put, it's envy. (It says something about my own life when I start coveting the lot of hard-working, poorly-compensated people who live in trailers and rotate the shoveling of manure!) What I realize I envy, however, is not the trappings of their work but rather the purpose in their lives. I envy the passion and purity of their mission, their singular commitment to a universal no-kill policy and to putting an end to all 'homeless' animals. I envy their long-standing friendships; their respect for each other; their unconventional lifestyles. Mostly though, I envy the often immediate and always palpable rewards of their ministrations, the hands-on love and gratitude of your furry, feathery charges. These people are part of something elemental and essential. They nurture and heal and educate. As businesses, professions and avocations go, they're as closely connected to their 'bottom line' as it gets. One final emotion tugged at me as I finished the book: sadness. Not only for the departure of some of the 'best friends,' but for the care-takers, for whom I developed a great fondness. The passage of time always reduces me to a teary-eyed mess. Here, it brings me to the wistful realization that the current generation of Best Friends founders is getting older too. The maudlin part of me finds that depressing, but I'm sure all the Best Friends founders would puzzle over that kind of sappy self-indulgence when there are so many positive developments to focus on. And indeed there are. Treat yourself to this book. Speaking of treats, read it out loud to your four-legged friends. The true ''Babes' among them will get a real kick out of it.
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Summary: Make these people & animals your Best Friends!
Review: I bought this book when I visited Best Friends about 2 years ago but only just read it. Why the delay? I was expecting lots of negative stories - people abusing animals, etc. When I finally picked the book up to read I zipped through it quickly amazed at the powerfully positive messages. Yes, there are stories of the bad things that humans do to animals but these are used to highlight the good things that humans can do if they make the choice to care. Almost more than the animal stories are those of the people who made Best Friends real. The compassionate people who saw a need and, out of their own pockets, decided to make a difference. Although the organization became (and is) public it began as a labor of love. If you love animals you will find this book one of hope and passion. It made me wish I could pack up and move to Kanab, UT to become a full-time volunteer! Read the book and, if you haven't already, visit the sactuary itself. It's truly a testament to what love can do.
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Summary: Best Friends
Review: I had heard about Best Friends several years ago and had joined as a member never realizing the enormity of this endeavor. I visited Best Friends in November, 2000 and could not believe what I saw. Best Friends is truly a magical and spiritual place. It is a safe haven for those abused and abandoned; a place where a second chance is given for safety and love. Samantha Glen has captured this magic and spirit of this sanctuary with her words. She has told the story as no other can. As you read each page you become one with each founder, understanding their excitement, their pain and feeling their losses. I cried tears of sadness for each individual as they realized what they had taken on was, at times, larger than they ever realized. And I cried tears of joy when others opened up their hearts to support their cause. Having visited Best Friends I was able to remember some of the furry beings that were mentioned in the book, even having pictures of several. It made the story told all that more endearing to me. Best Friends is truly magical, and Samantha Glen captured that magic in her writing. The only problem I found with the book is that it ended!!!! I would have read on forever!!! Please, anyone out there who reads this book, go one step further. Join Best Friends and help support one of the best sanctuaries in the world.
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Summary: This place is for real!!!!
Review: I just loved this book!!! I have been a member of Best Friends for a few years, receiving their mailings, their magazine, and sending them donations to help all the critters they rescue. Needless to say, I have been a dedicated animal lover for many years!I finally got the opportunity to visit Best Friends and work there as a volunteer last Fall. The sanctuary is 1000 times more than I ever expected. The place is huge, beautiful, spotlessly clean and the atmosphere is totally filled with love. The physical and emotional well being of the animals comes FIRST, period! It is truly a sacred place. I advise you to get this book and read it. I assure you.... Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is FOR REAL!
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Summary: Heh... Sure. If you ONLY KNEW.
Review: I loved this book! I'm ordering another one because mine is getting so dogged-eared from passing it around. I work with many animal organizations and am truly impressed with Best Friends! I was hestitant about ordering another animal story book because they often have heartbreaking, awful stories about the misery of so many. This book is different! It gives hope and a wonderful feeling that there are so many out there to help our animal friends. It tells the story of the people who pulled this wonderful organization together and of the many residents who were so fortunate to find their way to this sanctuary. I really felt like I got to know all the animals written about in this book. It was delightful to get to know all different personalities! Thank you for telling the story in such a positive, up-lifting manner! Not only am I making it a point now to visit Best Friends, I have become a Guardian Angel supporter!
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Summary: A Must Read for Animal Lovers!!!!
Review: I loved this book! I'm ordering another one because mine is getting so dogged-eared from passing it around. I work with many animal organizations and am truly impressed with Best Friends! I was hestitant about ordering another animal story book because they often have heartbreaking, awful stories about the misery of so many. This book is different! It gives hope and a wonderful feeling that there are so many out there to help our animal friends. It tells the story of the people who pulled this wonderful organization together and of the many residents who were so fortunate to find their way to this sanctuary. I really felt like I got to know all the animals written about in this book. It was delightful to get to know all different personalities! Thank you for telling the story in such a positive, up-lifting manner! Not only am I making it a point now to visit Best Friends, I have become a Guardian Angel supporter!
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Summary: YOU NEED THIS BOOK!
Review: I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. I especially liked the fact that photographs were included in the book, so I could put a face with a name. Whenever I was reading about a certain person or animal I would thumb through the pictures and it made all the difference to see who I was reading about! This book is great for people of all ages, I think anyone can relate to the people and/or the animals in this book!
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Summary: Great book for true animal lovers!
Review: I was enthralled. I read the book about a month ago and it inspired me to get involved. I started to walk dogs at my local animal shelter and I think it's the most rewarding thing i've ever done. I've always wanted to start my own shelter or sanctuary but I didn't know where to begin. I'm now learning how the operation works from feeding to fundraising. I've also bought about a dozen copies and i'm giving them to everyone I know. Maybe someday you'll be reading a review of a book about my sanctuary.
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Summary: Life Changing
Review: I was enthralled. I read the book about a month ago and it inspired me to get involved. I started to walk dogs at my local animal shelter and I think it's the most rewarding thing i've ever done. I've always wanted to start my own shelter or sanctuary but I didn't know where to begin. I'm now learning how the operation works from feeding to fundraising. I've also bought about a dozen copies and i'm giving them to everyone I know. Maybe someday you'll be reading a review of a book about my sanctuary.
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