They had, quite literally, the whole world to choose from. When Matt and Rosalie Skefich sat down to figure out where they wanted to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, they had the ultimate blank slate to work with — anywhere on planet Earth. They tossed around such far-flung places as Europe and Australia, but kept holding off on the long distance trips for one reason. The love of a sweet dog named Cocoa.

These two are serious animal lovers. Every week for the past ten years they have volunteered at the local humane society near their home in Goleta, Calif. It’s also the place they have adopted their pets. The most recent is Cocoa, who they don’t like to leave for even a day if they can help it. So even though that blue Italian sky might have been calling loud and clear, Rosalie and Matt couldn’t stop thinking about Cocoa. But where could they go instead?

A couple years back, they heard about Best Friends through the television show “DogTown” on the National Geographic Channel. "I haven’t missed an episode," Rosalie is quick to point out. They have been Best Friends members ever since.

Here’s where fate decided to make things easy. As members they receive Best Friends magazine, which had stories about Best Friends’ 25th anniversary celebration. All of a sudden everything clicked. Heck, forget “the land down under,” they were going to celebrate their silver anniversary at Best Friends!

And as a bonus, Cocoa could come along for the trip, too.

"It exceeded my expectations," Rosalie said. As for Matt, he was impressed over and over again at the level of animal care. He loved how the buildings are created with the animals in mind. Well shoot, as anybody who visits the sanctuary knows, the animals are the bosses!

The Skefiches are ready to come back soon to see more of everything. And back home in California, they are already doing more for the animals; this time through Best Friends as well. They’re helping with home checks for adoptions and just signed on to help deliver animals around the area as needed. It sounds like this is the anniversary gift that keeps on giving.

Thanks for coming out, you two! Any plans yet for your golden anniversary? Because you can never book the Best Friends cottages too soon. …

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.