Internship: COMPLETE!

       I sincerely apologize for not posting Wednesday, or yesterday. I was sick, and missed a day and a half at DogTown because of it. I didn't have much to blog about, so I figured I would save it all for my last post.


       I can't believe my internship is over already!!!! It went so fast. These last five weeks have been a whirlwind of learning new things, finding myself, and lots of adventures. I didn't really know what to expect when I came out here... I didn't have too many expectations, I pretty much just wanted to see what would happen. And now, having made it to the other side, I can tell you that it was more than I expected. It wasn't the "picture-perfect" experience, that's for sure, but it was still an experience that has changed me forever. And that's what life is all about, right? It's not the happy moments or the positive encounters that change you... It's the tough times or the 'unknown' stuff that make you grow and change. That's exactly what this internship has done for me. It's taken me completely out of my comfort zone, and forced me to jump into the deep end. Of course, there were moments of doubt and awkwardness, but I found a way to overcome those feelings. From this experience, I've learned what it feels like to be outside of my comfort zone, and let me tell you... There is nothing more empowering or invigorating. Yes, it's scary and it's not easy... But it is so worth it! It sets you free.

As I attempt to reflect on all that I've learned throughout this internship... A million different things flood into my mind. But I guess I will start from the beginning...

      My first week in Bunnies. My first week in Utah. I was a bit all over the place. Excited to start this adventure, but terribly missing home. I am beyond happy that I started my internship here, because I met some truly amazing people that made me feel right at home. Michele, Mary, Cheryl, Bryan, Ricky, Michael, Jason... Thank you so much for making me feel like a part of the team, for teaching me SO much about bunnies, and for setting the standards really high for the rest of the internship! It was such a pleasure to spend five days in bunnies, and the majority of my lunch hours with you guys, lol. I'll miss you all dearly, but especially, Michele. She was more than a mentor, she became a great friend. I'm sad that I won't get to see you almost everyday, but I promise to stay in touch! I wish you the best of luck for your surgery next week and I'll be checking up on you constantly! Love you!


       I must say.... Pigs was definitely my favorite week of the internship! I really fell in love with the pigs, and the caregivers too! Adria and Susan, you ladies are absolutely phenomenal. You taught me so much, you included me in everything, and you were extremely kind to me. I'm so glad I got the chance to know both of you, you're both ridiculously strong women. I'm going to miss lying in the dirt with the pigs and taking them for walks... But I'm really going to miss being tormented by Susan everyday ;). I can't thank you guys enough for all of your help and for my awesome experience in Pigs. I will definitely remember it forever!


      Cats was an interesting week for me. Oddly enough, I feel like I know less after spending a week with cats, lol. And that is not anybody's fault! Cats are mysterious creatures; that is just their nature!! The caregivers at CatWorld Headquarters: Dale, Michelle, and Katie, are all amazing people and exceptional at what they do. Their love and passion for their work and for the cats is obvious and admirable, and I learned so much just by watching them work. I also thoroughly enjoyed shadowing Dr. Frank and getting to know some of his research! I can only hope to be half the researcher he is in the animal world! It was a pleasure getting to know the cats and the people who work in CatWorld!


      I came to Utah with a pretty big fear of horses, but I'm going home with a love for them. And that is because of the amazing staff at Horse Haven. Alice, Katie, Ronnie, Linda, Ann, Ron, Jackie, Diane, and their awesome manager, Jen. With everybody's help and kindness, I have learned so much about horses, and I've truly grown to love them! I can't thank you enough for helping me overcome my fear. All you guys are remarkable people, and you're remarkable at what you do, day in and day out. Thank you for letting me spend 5 days in Horse Haven, for making me work my ass off, and for making me laugh endlessly. I'm forever grateful, and I will miss you all!


       Ironically, I spent the least amount of time with my favorite animal, dogs!! Missing a few days because of this stupid, unknown illness really bummed me out... But I'm still so grateful for my experience at Maggie's Mercantile. Hayley, Jackie, and Chelsea are all so wonderful at what they do. It's evident that this is way more than just a job (and that goes for all animal areas). These people dedicate their entire lives to these animals, and it shows in their work. I'm glad I got to know some of the dogs and spend some time with them. I feel comfort knowing they will always have a good, safe home; whether they stay at Best Friends forever, or if they get adopted. Spending this last week in dogs has made me miss MY dog a million times more! Lola, I will see you tomorrow, and it is going to the reunion of the century!!!! I can't wait! Hopefully she still recognizes me....


       I'm so thankful for the people who have helped me throughout my internship here at Best Friends, but I am also so ridiculously grateful for the people that helped me from a distance. My family, my boyfriend, Josh, my friends, the Godfrey's Gang. Without all of the love and support that I received each and every day, I know that there's no way I would have survived these last 5 weeks. From phone calls and text messages, to care packages and Skyping... I've never felt so close to home. I know it sounds pathetically cliche... But I could not have done this alone. I can't thank you enough for making this experience possible for me. It has truly changed my life, and for that, I am forever indebted to all of you. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my silly blog, and for making it more 'successful' than I ever thought possible! It's an awesome feeling knowing so many people look forward to reading it every day :).


       But as my blog comes to an end, and as I'm about to head back home to Pennsylvania, I'm thinking to myself, "Where do I go from here?". And I don't have an answer to that question right now, but I know that no matter where I end up, I am going to make a difference. I am going to do whatever it takes to make an positive impact on animal welfare. No matter how big or how small, I will make a difference. There is nothing in this world that evokes such undeniable feelings of passion for me like a dog does. When I hear a horrific animal abuse story, or that an animal has passed... It hits me right in the center of my soul every single time. So I am going to run towards that feeling, and chase that feeling until I feel like I've made a difference. I'm going to pursue a career in the thing that I am most passionate about. And that is advocating for and improving the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves. I will not settle for a career in something mediocre or something 'practical'. I am going to chase my dreams and find a way to make those dreams a reality. I have been so inspired by my experience here at Best Friends... And I have learned that my dreams are attainable. I've never felt more sure or more excited about my future. Like I said, this internship has changed my life. Not only has it silenced all the doubts about what I want to do with my life, but it has put my future into focus. We all have a purpose in life, whether we choose to ignore it or pursue it. I am blessed to say that I know what my purpose is, and I won't let anyone or anything stand in my way.

Until next time, Best Friends.... 

...Thanks for the memories.

Some Extra TLC

       Today, I worked with Jacquie. She is the primary caregiver at Maggie's. She's been working at Best Friends for over 6 years, and she's worked in several different places in DogTown. She knows her stuff; so I'm guessing that's why they put her at Maggie's! It's obvious how much she loves and cares for the dogs... She goes above and beyond in everything that she does. All of the dogs at Maggie's are very lucky to have her! Anyway, I started my morning basically the same as yesterday. We fed all of the dogs, gave them their meds, and then we started on walks. This morning I walked Rainey, Wallie, and Fiesta. Yet again, Rainey did not want to cooperate for a picture!! And today, I only managed to get a picture of Wallie in his run.

He's such a beefcake, I love him!!!

This is Fiesta. She's a sweet & gentle little girl!

       After I finished my walks, I had the opportunity to attend a Moves Meeting over at DogTown Headquarters. Every week, the DogTown staff get together to discuss all of the dogs that could possibly be moved to different places/runs for various reasons, dogs that come into admissions that need to be placed, etc. So in the staff room, there's 10 women trying to figure out where to put all of these dogs. The meeting was carried out so strategically and logically, it was awesome! Each caregiver knew all of the dogs, their personalities, their abilities, everything! They went down a list of dogs and discussed each dog's placement very thoroughly.  Everyone chimed in about each dog, and always had something to add to the conversation. For most dogs, they were able to talk through a solution to the problem, but for a few dogs, there are still some kinks that need to be worked out! It was very fascinating to attend the Moves Meeting; so much thought, time, and effort goes into every single thing that they do at DogTown. Nothing is done on a whim! I was really impressed by the entire process!

       After lunch today, we cleaned the runs and the rest of the building. While I was cleaning, of course I got the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with the dogs! All of the dogs at Maggie's are extremely affectionate and loving. They just need a little extra help with training, that's all! And need I remind you that all of these dogs are adoptable to the right home! :) Don't hesitate to ask me for more details on any of the dogs (or other animals) that I've featured!

This is Shug. She has the saddest eyes I've ever seen, but she is such a sweetheart! I swear to you that she's not sad at all... She's a very happy dog! But her eyes just make you melt!

And this is my girl, Jodee! She's a Golden Retriever/Shepherd mix and she is a total love! She can be very shy and skittish, but if you give her time to approach you... All she wants is to be pet! I took a moment while I was cleaning her run to sit down with her, and she sat right in my lap as I pet her and hugged her! This pup definitely tugged on my heart strings today!!

Fifth (and final) Week: Dogs

       This is where I will be spending the last week of my internship at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary! Maggie's Mercantile is where they keep some of the dogs that need some 'extra love & attention' for training purposes or behavioral issues. All of the dogs are super sweet though! Today I worked with Hayley, she's one of the caregivers at Maggie's, and I also worked with a 4-month intern, Chelsea. I spent my morning taking the dogs on walks! First, I took Nugget for a walk. She is such a sweet girl.

I promise she has ears... They're just not visible in this picture for some reason!

After I walked Nugget, I took Fillmore for a walk. He's a crazy, high-energy pit mix! He's really goofy and really affectionate! Then after Fillmore, I took Rainey for a walk. She's a hound mix. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good picture of her! I will get one at some point this week!

This is Wallie. This picture is misleading because he is an enormous pittie!!! I've never seen a dog with a bigger head. But as big and powerful as he is...

He's just a teddy bear :)

After I got done walking the 4 dogs, Chelsea asked me if I could take Pepsi on an outing. Pepsi has some joint problems, so he doesn't really enjoy walks. But he loves car rides! So we hopped in my car and drove around Kanab for about half an hour. He was very happy in the car, as you can see! I brought Pepsi back to Maggie's just in time for lunch. So in the afternoon, when I got back from lunch, Hayley and Chelsea told me to come with them to take Pepsi to his laser treatment over at the clinic. We all hopped on the golf cart and went over to the clinic, which is only a few minutes away. Every so often, Pepsi gets laser treatments on his front legs/elbows because of his degenerative joint problem and his arthritis. Everyone, including Pepsi, has to wear goggles to protect their eyes from the laser. Pepsi doesn't seem to mind wearing Doggles whatsoever :)

He's such a big, dopic goofball. He was extremely patient for the duration of his laser treatment! After Pepsi was done, we also had to take Fiesta to get a laser treatment for her Spondylosis. Fiesta is a small, nervous pittie. She didn't enjoy the laser treatment nor did she want to cooperate for a picture!

       After we were done at the clinic, Chelsea and I prepared the afternoon feedings for the pups. I could be wrong, but I believe there's 13 dogs at Maggie's right now! After they were done eating, we did some cleaning/sweeping in their runs. It was an easy day in Dogtown. In a way, I felt at home. Being with dogs is second nature to me, so it was nice to feel so comfortable today! I definitely think it will be a great week, and an awesome way to end my internship!

       To end my day, the interns had a presentation on Breed Discrimination. It was basically a conference call and a powerpoint with Lola Handzel; she is a legislative lawyer who works in conjunction with Best Friends! Her main focus is to totally end breed discrimination altogether, and in turn, put herself out of a job! As many of you already know, pitbulls are today's most misunderstood breed in the US; receiving unimaginable amounts of prejudice and discrimination. Ridiculous laws exist all over the country restricting people from owning a pitbull. Although progress is being made, Lola said there's many states that won't get with the program. Halfway through the powepoint, Lola showed us a slide of about 15 pictures of dogs, and told us to identify the pitbull. The tricky part is that every single dog more or less looked like a pitbull! This example that Lola gave us should totally discredit breed discrimination in its' entirety. If we can't even identify one pitbull out of a few pictures, how can we possibly have state laws that prohibit the fair and equal treatment of an entire breed? It's ridiculous. Here's a link that pretty much sums up everything that Lola touched on today. It's extremely important that we're all informed on this issue.

http://bestfriends.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Resources/Resources_for_Rescuers(1)/Adoption/608Pit%20Bull%20hand%20out.pdf

       If you'd like to take it one step further, and I hope you will, please take the time to join the Action Network on Best Friends' website, or send an email to your local officials (Copy & paste the link below). There's so much you can do to help put an end to breed discrimination, and it won't take much of your time at all! By simply being more informed and aware of the current issues, we will make a difference. Please share these links with everyone! :)

http://bestfriends.capwiz.com/bestfriends/home/

Grand Canyon - North Rim

       Two adventures in one weekend, boy, am I exhausted!!! But so happy I went :). Today, I took a trip to the Grand Canyon, which is a little more than 90 minutes away from Kanab. It's a beautiful drive through thick forests and meadows; it reminded me of PA actually! Once I got into the Grand Canyon National Park, there was a photo op right away! 

These pictures are not zoomed in!!! There were bison grazing about 20 feet from my car! They're so huge ...and fuzzy.

     After I got done admiring the bison, I drove farther down until I got to the Grand Canyon Lodge. I decided to park here and find a trail to hike. My first hike was on a short trail called Bright Angel Point. Definitely a good place to start :)

       After I finished walking the Bright Angel Point Trail, I decided to follow the Transept Trail, which is close by. I probably walked along this trail for about 2 miles until I realized it wasn't taking me anywhere interesting, so then I turned around and made my way towards the lodge so I could drive to the next trail. Once I got in my car and started driving, I decided I would try the Kaibab Trail; which I saw on my way in. The Kaibab Trail, if you want it to, can take you all the way down to the bottom of the canyon with the Colorado River! (Starting at 8,250 feet, ending at 2,400 feet!) In the brochure I was given upon entering the Grand Canyon National Park, there's an entire page dedicated to the Kaibab Trail and all of the risks and dangers of this trail! They strongly recommend that you don't try to do the entire canyon in one day. Knowing my own limits, I decided to only go down to the first tier, which is at 7,450 feet elevation and about 3/4 of a mile into the canyon. And I was perfectly content with my decision! :)

Just walking down the canyon was fairly tiring, so I decided to sit down and enjoy the view for a few minutes! It was an awesome spot to take a break! Once I felt energized again, I trekked back up the canyon! Although it's a short distance... 3/4 of a mile feels like 34 miles when you're climbing up the side of a canyon! My legs were shot by the time I reached the top! Then I got back in my car once more, and I decided to do one more short hike on the Cape Royal Trail. On my drive to Cape Royal Trail, there's a few scenic overlooks that you can stop to take pictures.

This was my first stop at Vista Encantada.

This was my second stop at Roosevelt Point.

And this was my third stop at Walhalla Overlook! After I stopped here, I went to the Cape Royal Trail. The rest of these pictures were taken while I hiked there!

      In the last picture, that hole in the rock is called Angel's Window. Pretty cool!! God only knows how many miles I walked today, but who cares... I got to see the Grand Canyon! It was such an awesome experience, and who knows when I'll get the opportunity to be out here in the Southwest again! Please don't ask me what my favorite park was because I honestly can't answer that question! They're all so drastically different and unique, it's impossible to pick a favorite. I'm beyond blessed that I was able to make it to Zion, Bryce, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Grand Canyon!! I know that I'll never forget these experiences. I can't believe I'll be home in less than a week. Woohoo!!!! :)

Bryce Canyon

      Today, I took a trip out to Bryce Canyon which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Kanab! It's been pretty hot in Kanab all week, including today. But for whatever reason, it was much cooler in Bryce today! It was like the mid 70s. And unfortunately, as the day went on, the clouds got thicker... So my pictures don't look as cool as they should! I definitely missed the sun today. 

       
       So once I got to Bryce Canyon, I decided to start out by hitting all of the "View Points" before I went on a hike. I'm just going to show you a string of pictures in the order that I made each stop! (The elevations are all over the place, just so you know! They don't go in ascending order.)

      All of these views were absolutely gorgeous. Even with all of the cloud cover! After I was done being a tourist, I decided to go on a hike at Sunset & Sunrise Points! (They're only about a half mile away from one another!). At Sunrise and Sunset Points, you're looking down into the canyon and seeing all of the Hoodoos. Hoodoos are the oblong, vertical rock structures; and they are magnificent!

So all of these pictures were taken from Sunset Point, looking down into the canyon! Then I decided to hike down to the bottom of the canyon on a trail called Queen's Garden. It's about a mile long, and you basically just follow a very steep path that winds down through the canyon, it's awesome! Here are some pictures I took on my way down...

That line of trees towards the top of the picture is where I was taking pictures from Sunset Point!

       Then I finally made it to the "bottom" of the canyon...

I'm sure there's a cool name for this tunnel, but I do not know what it is!

       Climbing back up the canyon was definitely more challenging and tiring! Hence, why I did all my picture-taking on the way down! But overall, it was a really great hike! And very peaceful to do it all by myself :). My pictures DO NOT do Bryce Canyon justice... And the overcast sky didn't help me out either! If you have the opportunity, I definitely recommend scheduling a trip to come out and see Bryce Canyon, it's an extraordinary place. There's nothing else like it in the entire world! It's amazing how small and insignificant you feel when you're looking at something so spectacular :). Yet another humbling experience!