We founded the Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary in December
2000, shortly after moving to the ranch permanently. When
we first bought the property in the summer of 1998, our dream
was to turn these 160 acres of open grassland and cottonwoods
into a sanctuary for animals who are disabled. These are the
animals who are the least likely to be adopted and among the most
likely to be euthanized in traditional shelters. The ranch is now home to about sixty animals on average, nearly two-thirds of them blind.
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From the outset, we named the ranch the "Rolling Dog" because our dogs love to roll around on their backs in the sagebrush- and grass-covered meadows on the property. We'll have as many as four dogs at a time rolling around upside down, feet straight up in the air, scratching their backs in the fields.
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The sanctuary's disabled residents are remarkable animals. They are happy, energetic and loving. Many of our visitors can't believe the animals they see romping with each other and running around are blind or cope with some other kind of handicap. There isn't a single animal here who feels sorry for itself. Each and every one of them loves being alive.
That's really the ultimate inspiration for us. Despite their disabilities, they want nothing more than a chance to enjoy life. And that's what they get to do here.
Steve Smith and Alayne Marker
