Kayenta Animal Care, Kayenta, Arizona
Blackhat, Chinle, Arizona:
McKinley County, Gallup, New Mexico
In my part of the country, New Mexico and parts of Arizona, too many animals often suffer neglect and abuse, but that does not mean that there are not hundreds – even thousands - of dedicated people working to save individuals while also striving to inspire others to respect and care for our fellow beings. Tourists traveling through the area assume that nobody cares, and unfortunately, even some who live here and work in rescue are not supportive of the efforts of others.
Since its founding in 2000, Bro & Tracy Animal Welfare has worked with other rescues and shelters to support and encourage them and the animals in their care. Too often the blame for the problems of overpopulation falls on the very people who are devoted to improving the lives of the animals. It is discouraging for them to be told that they are not doing it right. I plan to travel through this area to meet some of the individuals and organizations that are working to make a difference.
A few days ago I visited the Kayenta Animal Care Center in Kayenta, Arizona where I met Dr. Begaye. She took a few minutes between the spay/neuter surgeries she was performing to talk with me. She was understandably concerned about my motives and what I might say about them and yet hopeful that I might be different from others who have passed through with offers of help but only gave criticism. I could easily understand her mistrust of me as I read the letters she shared with me, letters she had received, not only from tourists, but also from those like me who are actively involved in animal rescue, vitriolic letters tearing up the Navajo Nation and all its people. And yet, she then asked someone to help me photograph the beautiful friendly dogs in the shelter.
On my way home to Corrales I met other people who are doing their best for the animals, Cindy Yurth with Blackhat rescue in Chinle, Arizona, and the staff of the McKinley County shelter in Gallup, New Mexico.
So many of these dogs from all 3 of these places I wish I could adopt myself or at least foster, but all I can do is hope that someone will see one of these photos and recognize the dog who is meant to be his or her special companion.
Here are some of the dogs from Kayenta and Chinle, Arizona and Gallup, New Mexico, just a few of those who would make such wonderful lifetime companions for some lucky person if given the chance. Please see our website http://www.broandtracy.org and our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Bro.and.Tracy for more photos of dogs from all of these shelters.
