Of course we were up again before the sun on Saturday. We didn't pay attention how long it took to get from the RV park to the sanctuary, so we took extra time. Arrived just before sun-up at about 7:30, and right away we were surrounded by a herd of adorable mule deer. I think it's the huge ears that make them so cute! They apparently also have turkeys, bobcats, a mountain lion, and in the summer rattle snakes, but the only other things we saw were the turkeys. And of course the bunnies and the kitties. The rabbits come from a woman who called that she needed a little help with her 800 rabbits. Turned out to be 1600, many sick/wounded. Best Friends took the sick ones, added a few yurts to house them, gave them treatment, and many are adopted already. The rest stay until they get adopted, or for the rest of their lives. We were put to work in one of the yurts and spent the morning sweeping poopies, mopping floors, refreshing water and hay, cleaning bunny litter boxes and giving them clean cuddle blankies. And of course they needed to be snuggled with, too!
In the afternoon we were in the kitty building with the emotionally and physically disabled kitties. First we went for leash walks. I took Kado, whose rear legs constantly do the cha-cha-cha. Somebody shot her with a pellet gun and her lower spine has issues, but she's a darling and loves sniffing around outside, especially at the deer droppings. Henk took Black Jack first and then another one that really only wanted to roll in the sand. After the walks we got comfortable on the floor in one of the inside-outside rooms and hugged and petted every kittie that came by. They need lots of that to get ready for adoption. Surprisingly there are plenty of willing and able people that want to adopt a handicapped pet.

We definitely want to go some other time so we can volunteer with the dogs, but you have to book that ahead, there's a waiting list... ;) And, btw, they also have horses, donkeys, potbelly pigs, goats, sheep, parrots and a wildlife rehab... and lots and lots of volunteers and contributors...

Today the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was on the program. There are no words for this - and the 150 pictures we took don't do it justice.They just help us to carry the enormity of beauty and feeling in our hearts.

We were at the South Rim twenty years ago and that was awesome, but we think the North Rim is just as good or better - and definitely quieter. Opa Henk turned 62 a week ago and was thus able to get a lifelong senior pass for every National Park in the system for the bank-breaking sum of $10. We'll have to visit a few more N.P.'s now to make it worth the expense... ;) Off to Zion tomorrow!