Featured Visitor: Thanks to Two Special Volunteers, and Some Resourceful Best Friends Staff!
Best Friends was blessed to have two amazing volunteers this fall, George & Whitey, who have been friends since 1948. George had been a member of Best Friends for some time, and after Hurricane Katrina decided he wanted to see the Sanctuary. He flew from Connecticut to Southern California, picked up Whitey, and they drove out to Kanab, Utah.
They took the tour, and went on to volunteer with the dogs, at the Garden Octagon. At some point during the volunteering, George lost his medication, and was concerned that he would have to cut his trip here short. George wrote a letter to Best Friends describing his experiences here – so we’ll let him tell the story from here.
“I take several daily medications, a must, I am 76. I came to BF from Connecticut and I lost my pill package! When the BF staff heard about this they immediately asked if I felt ok. Then they went above and beyond the call of duty! The staff in Dogtown took down the meager information I could offer and went into action…they made a couple of calls to Connecticut and made enough progress to actually get the prescriptions information. Then they phoned a local pharmacy to explain the situation and to expect a call from Connecticut. I found out the pharmacy, as a favor to BF, also called Connecticut twice to get more information. The bottom line was I got my pills and was able to stay the full term of my visit! Thank you Shane and all the others involved!!!! What a great group of caring, thoughtful, concerned, and helpful people. They kept asking me if I felt ok. Ok? I was rejuvenated!”
George goes on to say about his experience volunteering “You just cannot imagine the positive emotions, the thrill, the satisfaction and fulfillment, and the warm fuzzy feeling you will get by helping the people and animals at BF. Sure caught me off guard!”
At home Whitey has 2 cats, and a girlfriend – who, he says, has to love cats or the relationship would be over. George is currently petless, but is thinking of adopting a dog next year. He also plans to be back to Best Friends, and you can be sure he’ll be keeping an eye on that medication this next time!
Written by Laura Rethoret & Jennifer JohnsonPhoto by Laura Rethoret