I particularly enjoyed my time as a tour guide, showing visitors the sanctuary. In the early days, I used to drive people around in my own car – tour vans came later. 

At that time, it was common for our guided tours to include a stroll around what is now called “Old Dogtown.” Perhaps foolishly, I used to enjoy stopping on each tour to visit with Satchmo, a dog who had been surrendered to us because he would sometimes attack without warning. At one point while he was at the sanctuary, he attacked our chief dog trainer, Sherry Woodard, while she was in his run. Fortunately, she was able to escape through a door.

I would greet Satchmo, he would bring a tennis ball to me at the fence, I would take it from him and toss it back over the fence for him to fetch. We’d repeat the process a few times, to his obvious enjoyment.

A couple of years after Satchmo arrived, the lady who had been his mom arrived at the Welcome Center, introduced herself and requested a special tour – just to visit her dog. I explained that I didn’t think it would be in Satchmo’s best interests, because there was a chance he would get his hopes up that it was time to go home, and he would be disappointed when she left without him.

She asked if she could see him from a distance, and since there was a grove of trees quite close to the run, I thought that would be acceptable. I drove her to Dogtown, and she waited in the trees while I went and spent about 10 minutes playing the tennis ball game with Satchmo. When I returned to her, her face was full of tears, and she expressed how important it was to see her unadoptable dog happy and well. Sometimes, life is good!

This article appears in the January/February issue of Best Friends magazine.

As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to double our membership, so we can double our efforts to bring about a time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.