Nature Reminiscence
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary -
Tucked behind the magnificent red rock cliffs of Utah lies a place of true freedom. This place is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, home to over 3,000 horses, livestock, dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and wild animals. But the sanctuary does not feel crowded, in fact it feels much the opposite. The animals look like they belong here, like part of the landscape. It is February, the fresh dusting of snow brings about a beautiful transformation to the red rock cliffs. Snow gathers on the branches of the scarce trees and on the areas of the valley that are not too sheer.
The hundreds of rescued horses are dwarfed by the immensity of the canyon walls. You can see the horses’ warm breath as they exhale, forming little white clouds around their muzzles. The warmth of the horses’ bodies melts the soft fall of snow that has collected on their backs during the night. Further down the winding gravel road is dogtown, a place where all dogs are free. Here they can let go of their pasts, whether it was dogfights, hurricanes, tornados, hoarding situations, or abandonment and experience the blue skies and fresh air. They live harmoniously in community runs, with up to five dogs per run. These dogs are my inspiration. They remind me of the power of forgiveness and give me hope that someday, humans will give all animals the respect they deserve.
As I walk with a dog along the red sandy trail, I can’t help but think about why our paths happen to have crossed that day. We walk in silence, listening to the sound of the wind as it rustles the shrubs, and the rhythmic tapping of our feet as we step on the fresh snow. The silence is a drastic change for me, and I imagine for the dog as well. This dog was rescued from a hoarder who had 50 other dogs. I feel connected to the animal, and I can’t help but wonder if she feels the same appreciation for the beautiful landscape as I do. Technically, I am volunteering to help this dog, but for some reason I feel like the one learning, instead of the teacher. The dog seems to have a profound understanding of the area, I am astounded by the she walks so gracefully, trusting all of her instincts. She steps over rocks with marvelous elegance and agility, nimbleness I can only hope of learning from her. She follows the trail of her soul, invisible to those unsophisticated in the art of listening to their natural senses. We step through the soft, fresh snow, leaving nothing more than a trail of footprints.
I am honored to be walking there, it feels like I have been given the special opportunity to experience one of the most beautiful places left on earth. The canyon is appropriately named Angel Canyon, probably because angels created this heaven on earth just for these special animals, and for the lucky humans who have the opportunity to experience the harmony.
It is amazing how somewhere so empty, so untouched by humans can be so full of life. Here, the ground is alive, the sky and sun are alive, and all of the life somehow works together to create a small pocket of heaven, right here on earth. Here, I feel alive. It inspires me to care, to be my best self, and to remember the things that really matter.
The hundreds of rescued horses are dwarfed by the immensity of the canyon walls. You can see the horses’ warm breath as they exhale, forming little white clouds around their muzzles. The warmth of the horses’ bodies melts the soft fall of snow that has collected on their backs during the night. Further down the winding gravel road is dogtown, a place where all dogs are free. Here they can let go of their pasts, whether it was dogfights, hurricanes, tornados, hoarding situations, or abandonment and experience the blue skies and fresh air. They live harmoniously in community runs, with up to five dogs per run. These dogs are my inspiration. They remind me of the power of forgiveness and give me hope that someday, humans will give all animals the respect they deserve.
As I walk with a dog along the red sandy trail, I can’t help but think about why our paths happen to have crossed that day. We walk in silence, listening to the sound of the wind as it rustles the shrubs, and the rhythmic tapping of our feet as we step on the fresh snow. The silence is a drastic change for me, and I imagine for the dog as well. This dog was rescued from a hoarder who had 50 other dogs. I feel connected to the animal, and I can’t help but wonder if she feels the same appreciation for the beautiful landscape as I do. Technically, I am volunteering to help this dog, but for some reason I feel like the one learning, instead of the teacher. The dog seems to have a profound understanding of the area, I am astounded by the she walks so gracefully, trusting all of her instincts. She steps over rocks with marvelous elegance and agility, nimbleness I can only hope of learning from her. She follows the trail of her soul, invisible to those unsophisticated in the art of listening to their natural senses. We step through the soft, fresh snow, leaving nothing more than a trail of footprints.
I am honored to be walking there, it feels like I have been given the special opportunity to experience one of the most beautiful places left on earth. The canyon is appropriately named Angel Canyon, probably because angels created this heaven on earth just for these special animals, and for the lucky humans who have the opportunity to experience the harmony.
It is amazing how somewhere so empty, so untouched by humans can be so full of life. Here, the ground is alive, the sky and sun are alive, and all of the life somehow works together to create a small pocket of heaven, right here on earth. Here, I feel alive. It inspires me to care, to be my best self, and to remember the things that really matter.