Loving the Legacy

While we were in Kanab, UT, I had the opportunity to connect with the past. We had breakfast with Paula, who married my Grandfather after my Grandmother passed away in the 70's. It seemed fitting to have breakfast with Paula as my first opportunity to meet her, many years ago, was when we had breakfast in Paula's own café in Sedona, AZ, which is where I believe she met my Grandfather. (Did you follow any of that?!!)

Paula and Dreaming

Paula is a live wire, to put it mildly! She doesn't mince words and is quick to call a spade a spade! Our conversation jumped swiftly from present to past, from family to friends, and from coffee shops to the Crescent Moon Theatre.

Shortly after Nick (my Grandfather) married Paula they yearned for the simple, small town atmosphere that had been lost when the world discovered Sedona. They settled on Kanab. I can see why.  Just driving through the town made me think of the Sedona I remember as a child. My Grandfather helped Paula establish her next café and he lived his life out in this beautiful town with Paula and her children.

In honor of my Grandfather, Paula built the Crescent Moon Theatre, named after his Crescent Moon Ranch, and the Moon Saloon next door. The theatre shows old western movies on Monday evenings for $2.00 a ticket. Other movies are shown throughout the week, and on occasion, I have been told, Paula scours the town looking for cast members for local productions. My informant explained that he has been known to make a hasty exit out the rear door when Paula marches in on a mission to enlist slower-moving thespians!

This painting of my grandfather hangs in the lobby of the theatre. 

It was wonderful to see him again, and to have the opportunity to remember so many events from my childhood. Thank you, Paula!

Nine Lives

If I come back as a cat, I want to spend at least one of my lives at the Best Friends Animal Society sanctuary in Angel Canyon, UT!

We recently took a tour of the facility (featured on Dogtown several years ago). It is amazing. The sanctuary is located in a drop-dead gorgeous canyon near Kanab, UT. They house about 1900 animals, including, but not limited to, horses, pigs, dogs, cats, birds, and bunnies. Animals with injuries or illnesses are treated. Animals may live out their lives at the sanctuary, or they may be adopted.

The mission of the organization is to save them all. They want to end indiscriminate breeding. They support spay and neuter clinics and the "Big Fix" mobile clinic. They partner with organizations throughout the US to promote "no kill" shelters and programs. They raise funds through activities across the US like "Strut your Mutt", and raise awareness with conferences, adoption events, TV shows and literature. They want to put an end to breed discrimination and puppy mills, and they assist with trap, neuter and return programs for feral cats.

Best Friends offers tours of their facilities and encourage individuals to come and volunteer, even if it is for just a day. Volunteers must attend an informational session before they work with the animals. Volunteers may choose where they want to volunteer and what they'd like to do and the staff or other volunteers assist them. They might clean animal runs, walk dogs or sit with cats. Even the cats get walked, or taken outside in strollers by volunteers. Volunteers help prepare animals for life with a family.

We visited one of several cat houses. Each house has several rooms with exterior play areas. The rooms have all manner of things that cats would like, from snuggly beds to things to climb.

There are 'hidey holes' for cats who want to be alone.

Volunteers make fleece beds and pads, 

and it is evident that the cats appreciate their efforts!

This cat was hiding in a hallway storage closet!

Each room has an outdoor living area as well.

What cat wouldn't love the freedom to climb, sleep,

eat and play? 

In my opinion, this could be cat heaven!

We enjoyed our visit to Kanab and to Best Friends. I would love to go back and spend some time volunteering. Maybe next year!