Angela Bata FFCP, FDM, CARETC-KDSD
In June, I took a solo road trip out west to visit my dad and sister in Las Vegas. It was a rare and much-needed chance to slow down and savor unhurried time with them—the kind of quiet, everyday moments that often get lost in the shuffle.
It was also my first time traveling without a dog in years, which felt… strange. Like I’d forgotten something essential or left the house without pants. But solo travel had its perks. At a Utah scenic overlook, I shared a peaceful moment—and my water—with a raven as we took in the view together.
On the way home, I finally stopped at a place I’d been meaning to visit for decades: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. I first learned about it back in the 1990s while working for a holistic veterinarian in Vegas who occasionally sent them unreleasable pigeons. Yes, pigeons. Pigeons need kindness, too.
I signed up for their free 90-minute Grand Tour and was blown away. Nestled in Angel Canyon, Best Friends spans 4,000 acres, with 200 developed acres dedicated to separate areas for dogs, cats, pigs, horses, parrots, bunnies, and goats. Every space is thoughtfully designed to meet the animals’ needs and reduce stress. We explored Cat World with its climbing shelves and huge catios, met some overly friendly pigs, marveled at Dogtown’s layout, and visited Angel’s Overlook—their pet cemetery, where wind chimes hang in the trees and create music in the canyon breeze.
They even have hiking trails, on-site accommodations, and, believe it or not, are listed as a destination wedding venue. How cool is that?
I should’ve left then. But I made the mistake of stepping into Roxy’s Room at the Welcome Center, where a few adoptable pups live. That’s where I met Opal—a six-month-old brindle pup from a Navajo reservation. She was spayed, vaccinated, microchipped… and heartbreakingly cute. Naturally, I adopted her.
She came with all the essentials, plus sass and a gift for mischief. Since then, she’s tested my furniture, my flooring, and my sense of humor. But she’s a lovable tornado, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you see us out, feel free to say hi, just let Opal come to you. She loves dogs, but is still figuring people out.
And if you ever visit Best Friends, just be ready. It might start with a peaceful moment and a raven, but you never know where the road may lead. How you train your dog matters, choose kindness.
Angela Bata is a certified Family Dog Mediator, certified Cooperative Care Trainer, and Fear Free Certified Professional Trainer. She offers virtual and in-home training throughout Northern Minnesota and beyond. Learn more at serenitydogtraining.com
