Best Friends Slideshow

Last August we were delighted to host a photographer from Best Friends, the nation's largest animal sanctuary, who was here for three days to photograph our wonderful animals.  The photographer, Sarah Ause, was doing a story about the ranch for an upcoming edition of Best Friends' magazine.  Sarah emailed me yesterday evening to say the piece is in the March/April 2010 issue of the magazine, which is about to go in the mail, and they just posted a companion multimedia slideshow on the Best Friends Web site.  When Alayne and I watched the slideshow online last night, we were simply in awe of Sarah's work.  This was really a stunning presentation, and her photographs are among the absolute best anyone has ever taken of these animals. 

As phenomenal as her slideshow is — we couldn't see how you could top it, frankly — Sarah wrote, "The actual article in the magazine is much more impressive though … BIG photos and SIX pages!"

The Best Friends' Web site doesn't have the March/April issue of the magazine posted yet, but you can see Sarah's incredible slideshow here.  The text of her excellent article is below the slideshow.  Enjoy!

468x120_ShelterChallenge_Jan2010

Please vote
for the ranch in the Shelter Challenge — and you can
vote every day!  We're currently in third place, putting us on track to
win $3,000 for the animals.  Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state
postal code,
MT, for Montana, and it will bring up our listing.

Vote in the Shelter Challenge here.

Last
year we won $3,000 in the first round and then won the $20,000 Grand
Prize in the second round, so your votes really do add up and make for
a wonderful gift for the animals here.

Thank you!

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37 responses to “Best Friends’ Slideshow On The Ranch”

  1. Sharon Avatar
    Sharon

    BREATHTAKING! AWESOME! INCREDIBLE! I love these pictures!

    Like

  2. Margaret & Jasmine Avatar

    Wow. That slide show is incredible. But then again, so are you. 🙂

    Like

  3. Diane B. Avatar
    Diane B.

    I just finished watching the slideshow, it is simple and honest and heartfelt and lovely. You can’t watch it without getting misty eyed.
    It makes me proud to be a supporter of Rolling Dog Ranch.

    Like

  4. Darcie Avatar
    Darcie

    Wow. Simply Wow. The light, the composition, the emotion in those photos is stellar. Thank you and Best Friends for sharing!

    Like

  5. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    Amazing photos, and voiceover. Even though we’ve seen lots of professional video of the ranch, these photos made me feel like I was there the MOST. That’s talent!

    Like

  6. Karen Wilson Avatar
    Karen Wilson

    We just got done watching the slideshow and the Jack Hanna show. Awesome!!! A few years ago I read a book all about how Best Friends was started and how tough it was and it makes me thankful there are two more people like them – both of you – who have given their all to help these animals. Thank you again and many times over for all you do! 🙂

    Like

  7. Alisa Avatar
    Alisa

    Love it, love it, LOVE IT!!! Thank you to Sarah for the gorgeous pictures. And to Steve and Alayne for making RDR the perfect home for these wonderful animals!

    Like

  8. Shauna at WSU Avatar
    Shauna at WSU

    Simply beautiful!

    Like

  9. Shirley * James/Portland, OR Avatar

    Sarah captured the essence of RDR! Anybody who visits will say the same thing: “Started by two AMAZING people and you NEVER want to leave!” Can’t wait to receive my Best Friends Magazine and kudos for Best Friends for highlighting the IMPORTANT mission and work of Rolling Dog Ranch!

    Like

  10. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    Some really great pictures – but perhaps the last one was the best – a beautiful picture at sunset – amazing!

    Like

  11. Jessica, NL Avatar
    Jessica, NL

    What an amazing collection of photos, so close to many of the faces and I felt like they were looking at me, instead of at the camera. The text is great too, focusing on the human obstacle and clear with it’s message…
    But what I liked, loved most are the sighs of the author troughout the video… they sound heartfelt and make it so personal how she enjoyed her time at the ranch and how the animals and Steve and Alaine touched her heart. Thank you Sarah!

    Like

  12. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    Absolutely amazing photos!

    Like

  13. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    What amazing pictures. Still shots but so full of life AND personality!! Thanks to Sara and BF for recognizing the beauty in what you do!

    Like

  14. Adele in the Bronx Avatar

    A great set of pictures!! You guys are wonderful. So is Sarah Ause. I posted it at Shelter Tails.

    Like

  15. Chloe Avatar

    Beautiful. It felt like I was really at the ranch.
    Thank you Sarah. How great that Steve and Alayne were blown away too!!
    I love the close of Smilin’ Sam and the beautiful shot of Steve walking with the dogs.

    Like

  16. Lynne Parker Avatar

    What a beautiful slideshow! You have a great collection of multimedia presentations of the ranch!

    Like

  17. Linda Avatar

    That was terrific, Sarah! I’ve always enjoyed your photography on the BF site. Thanks, BF, for spotlighting RDR! I look forward to my magazine…

    Like

  18. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    All I can say is “amazing”. I feel as though I know these special animals through Sarah’s work. Thank you!

    Like

  19. Lynn (in Louisiana) Avatar
    Lynn (in Louisiana)

    The photograph of beautiful wobbly Allie waving made me burst into tears.

    Like

  20. Leslie - PA Avatar
    Leslie – PA

    My favorite animal sanctuary doing an article and slideshow for my other favorite animal sanctuary. Doesn’t get much better than that! AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! I have visited Best Friends so now visiting RDR is the next thing on my life to-do list!

    Like

  21. Dawn Avatar
    Dawn

    That’s awesome, so glad you are getting deserved attention for your great work.

    Like

  22. Ev Avatar
    Ev

    Great job Sarah. Very well put together. The shot is perfect. Well done.

    Like

  23. Linda Murphy Avatar
    Linda Murphy

    The video is wonderful and so inspiring! God Bless You!

    Like

  24. Maree in NZ Avatar
    Maree in NZ

    WOW!! I’m speechless.. that was awesome!! The photos were extraordinary!!

    Like

  25. Inger Wiltz Avatar

    Haven’t seen the show yet, but wanted to let you now that the Challenge Button didn’t work today, for me at least. It has in the past. I’ll vote from my blog instead, but thought you may want to check it out.

    Like

  26. Maxly Avatar

    Wow…this is an amazing slideshow. How wonderful.

    Like

  27. Marianne Hubach Avatar
    Marianne Hubach

    I loved the picture of Alie — what a happy girl. Those truly are great pictures. Great one of Herbie too — thanks for sharing those with us!!

    Like

  28. Aliza Avatar
    Aliza

    Wow, definitely brought tears to my eyes. She really captured the essence of each and every one of them. Truly a gifted photographer.

    Like

  29. Barb Ribinski Avatar
    Barb Ribinski

    Truly wonderful photos – they are like works of art. And precious little Herbie. What more can I say?

    Like

  30. Penny Heinrich Avatar
    Penny Heinrich

    I wish I had those photos for notecards! Fabulous photos. Love everything about Rolling Dog Ranch!!!

    Like

  31. Barbara Techel Avatar

    This slide show absolutely rocked- loved the commentary also- so heart warming!! Beautiful!!
    Barbara Techel & Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

    Like

  32. Doe George Avatar
    Doe George

    Smiles! The photos are a tribute to the wonderful home you provide!Sarah has captured, in stills, the beauty of all that you do. Best Friends and Rolling Dog Ranch, my two favorites!!!

    Like

  33. Lynda Avatar
    Lynda

    I loved it. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Like

  34. Janet in Cambridge Avatar

    The two of you, Steve and Alayne, have set the bar of expectations for all “disabled” sanctuaries to follow. You are awesome. If it saves one dog, one cat, one horse times hundreds, then you have started the “paradigm shift” for the future of disabled animals. Maybe “disabled” animals won’t have to live in sanctuaries anymore, but can be accepted as companion animals among us and just like the “abled.” Kisses on all your creature’s little wet noses, and yes, kisses on your noses, too!

    Like

  35. Shelli Smith Avatar
    Shelli Smith

    What a wonderful slideshow. Sarah’s voice over just made it more special. I swear I could almost hear Herbie purring!

    Like

  36. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    What a wonderful slide show. Absolutely fabulous!! I hope when people see it either on the Best Friends website or in their magazine, they will hopefully become friends and donors to RDR!

    Like

  37. FELICIA Avatar
    FELICIA

    THANK YOU SARAH FOR THE WONDERFUL SLIDE SHOW. I CAN’T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT ROLLING DOG RANCH & STEVE & ALAYNE ARE THE BEST FOR DOING WHAT THEY DO WITH THESE SPECIAL ANIMALS.

    Like

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