Yes, it's official -- the ranch won the Shelter Challenge Grand Prize and will get $20,000 for the animals! This is truly one of the most humbling things that has ever happened to us. Wow -- what a phenomenal Christmas present! For a small sanctuary in a remote part of Montana to win out over thousands of other shelters and rescue groups around the United States is just incredible. It blows us away. Thank you!
It is a testament to all of you who faithfully voted daily for months on end to make this happen. Alayne and I were just astonished at the sheer number of people who told us they were voting for the ranch every day and had enlisted their family, their friends and their colleagues at work to vote, too. And many of these were folks we had never heard from before -- but they were voting for the ranch and doing as much as they could to get others to vote for us, too. Not only here in the United States, but in Canada, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa and in other countries around the world. Just knowing that so many people were not only thinking about us but were doing something every single day to help us win that Grand Prize -- well, that is the humbling part.
It is also a reflection of how much our disabled animals can inspire -- with their zest for life, their strength in overcoming adversity, and their playful, silly antics that keep us laughing. When we started the sanctuary nearly 10 years ago, we never realized just how much these animals and their stories would resonate with people. We had no idea. But these remarkable animals are, of course, why so many of you were voting in this contest -- so they could benefit. They touched you in some way, and you have touched them.
We are more grateful to you -- to every single one of you -- than you can possibly imagine. Thank you ... thank you ... thank you!!!
Sorry, I meant, "won" the prize!
Posted by: Renee Valley | February 03, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Congratulations! I was thrilled to read you had one the prize. You deserve it so much. It made my day!
Posted by: Renee Valley | February 03, 2010 at 05:47 PM
I was just reading your blog and I was thrilled to see that you won the $20,000. I had written you an e-mail in the past about my crippled dachsund Roxie. Unfortunately, she died last year of complications, but my time with her was special indeed. I now have a rescue Jack Russell Terrier named Jack (fittingly). He is the bomb! I love what you do for the animals and will continue to support you in any way I can.
Posted by: Susan Diamond | January 22, 2010 at 07:38 AM
I too saw your ranch on TV on Jack Hanna's show this is the second time it was on. Makes me cry I am a softie especially for weiner dogs. A repeat but I watched it mezmerized by the work you do so unselfishly. I looked you up this time. Congrats on the win! Good cause.
Posted by: carla | January 21, 2010 at 05:06 PM
I SO enjoy your newsletters, and all the stories about all your wonderful animals!! Voting every day for you was a pleasure, and I am SO glad you won!! Let the voting begin again!! God bless you for all you do for our wonderful furry "kids"!
Posted by: Donna | January 20, 2010 at 08:40 PM
What little it takes from us, to click a link daily in hopes of getting the $$$ for you and the animals, compared to what you folks do everyday for the animals. Thank you for all you do.
Posted by: John | January 20, 2010 at 05:20 PM
You definitely deserve it. Bless you for all you do for the animals.
Posted by: Elaine | January 20, 2010 at 03:02 PM
CONGRATS!!! Happy New Year to a wonderful animal sanctuary. When I learned about your sanctuary - I voted every day. You so truly deserve the prize. :)
Posted by: Paula | January 04, 2010 at 04:04 PM
Congratulations on winning the money for the animals. I just learned about the ranch this morning, watching Jack Hanna on TV. I'm so glad to have found you. God Bless you for what you do. I'm so thrilled to know that a place like yours exists. Thank you for all you do....
Posted by: Beth | January 02, 2010 at 11:36 AM
So very happy for you. I was able to vote from two emial addy's but I am thrilled that you received so much support. Your blogs definitely keep us in touch. God bless you, the work that you do and the children you have blessed. Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Thomas | December 29, 2009 at 08:00 PM
We all humbly say.... Thank You!
For you dedication, loyalty and love, we wouldn't know the faces and personalities of these precious animals without YOU!
Wishing you continues success; we're along for the ride with you. ; )
Posted by: boundforglory | December 28, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Congratulations. Well deserved and I am thrilled because I know this money will be used to save so many animals. Happy New Year.
Posted by: Kristin (in Georgia) | December 28, 2009 at 10:06 AM
What better Christmas gift could you ask for...Word of mouth goes a long way!You and Alayne set out to make your dreams come true, but what you did to include all of us animal lovers in you dream is amazing also.For alot of us I'm sure, you made ours come true by letting us be a part of your ranch too.Thank-You Steve and Alayne for giving these animals a chance when others would not.I'm going to bed tonight with the greatest feeling that there are people out ther that still do care, you just have to search a little deeper sometimes. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL and STAY SAFE
Posted by: Kathy and Harley | December 24, 2009 at 11:17 PM
From very far away in South America, Venezuela, my most heart felt congratulations on this truly deserved prize. Your work deserves this and much more!!!
Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.
My best wishes,
Carolina
Posted by: Carolina | December 24, 2009 at 06:14 PM
So pleased you won, a great Christmas gift, and well deserved. Happy Holidays, and thanks so much for your inspiring work!
Posted by: Dawn | December 24, 2009 at 02:59 PM
Congratulations to the Rolling Dog Ranch gang. We marvel at the wonderful work you do and we're so happy to learn you won the Grand Prize. Our prayers (and votes) were answered.
May God continue to bless you and the aniamls and may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Karen D. - SD Dog Mom | December 24, 2009 at 01:39 PM
We are so happy for RDR! You are truly deserving of this honor! THANK YOU for all that you do for the animals.
Posted by: Love of Dog Bakery | December 24, 2009 at 01:16 PM
We are so THRILLED for all of you!! This is so well deserved! Your love and devotion to these special needs animals is a gift to watch... we love being a part of your journey through your blog. Merry Christmas!
Barbara Techel & Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Posted by: Barbara Techel | December 24, 2009 at 12:04 PM
CONGRATULATIONS from Fred, Loretta and Charlie! Great Christmas present for the Ranch. Great present for us too - how many days have we been voting and voting and voting? But it was certainly worth it!
Posted by: arizonaFRED | December 24, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Congratulations Alayne and Steve and all the animals at RDR!!!!!!
Nancy and Buddy in SC
Posted by: Nancy Longfield | December 24, 2009 at 09:36 AM
I just love this blog. I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am that I stumbled across it a couple of years ago. My dream is to be able to visit you all some day but in the meantime, clicking each day to vote in a contest & recruiting friends & family to do the same is easy. You all are doing the hard work. But, the joys you also receive & share with us each & every day makes it all worth whatever we humans can do for these sweet, loving & inspiring fur friends.
I am so proud of RDR for winning the big prize. My heart burst with joy when I saw the big announcement plastered across my screen. I feel like something is missing not voting each day.
Thank you for all you do for the wonderful residents of RDR. And, thanks to all that voted each & every day, several times a day & made this win possible for an amazing, wonderful couple, Steve & Alayne, who give so much of their time & love to all the furry friends of RDR!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | December 24, 2009 at 09:06 AM
It was a pleasure and a privilege to vote for you every day. I can't think of any two people who deserve to win more... thank you so much for doing all the things that you do!
Posted by: Lucie Storrs | December 24, 2009 at 07:03 AM
Rolling Dog Ranch is changing the way humans think and feel about disabled pets. I have two myself that were lucky enough to be given a chance (and a foster home) before me.
You do such good things for dogs who might seem disabled to us (and cost us more money to maintain their health) but who show us, day in and day out, that being disabled is a broad term that doesn't amount to being less worthy of living a good life.
Glad I could help in my own small way by voting. Congratulations to a clean, well-lighted place that really really deserved to win!
Disabled pets rock! :-)
Posted by: Nancy | December 24, 2009 at 02:34 AM
So many comments...so much support and love-it proves to go a long way. I am so happy! A very, very Merry Christmas to you all, Alayne, Steve, and all my little and big friends. Here is to a happy, healthy New Year! XOXOXO.....
Posted by: Rosemary | December 24, 2009 at 01:14 AM
O'Neil so glad to have played a small part in this result! It helps, a little to relieve my frustration at our inability to help you guys and the animals, this year. We're hoping 2010 will be much better. Blessings to you both.
Posted by: Vicki small | December 23, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Yea!! I've never commented, but read your blog on my bloglines daily. We have been voting and are just so happy you won! It is well deserved!
Congratulations and Merry Christmas.
Posted by: Jennifer | December 23, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Thank you, Steve & Alayne, for the wonderful work you do. It is easy for us to sit in front of the computer & click the mouse, you 2 do the hard work. I am so glad I found your site a couple years ago. You are true heros! Yay for my home state of Montana for being the home of such a great place. Makes me proud :)
Merry Christmas to you both & all the furkids too.
Posted by: Kathy | December 23, 2009 at 10:45 PM
oh hurray!!!!!
now what am I going to do every day!
Posted by: Jolene | December 23, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I am so, so very happy for you all! I voted every day, and I tried to vote from work, too! I know that the $20,000 will be in great hands!
Posted by: Billie | December 23, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Great news. Keep up the good works.
Posted by: Mary Lou | December 23, 2009 at 09:33 PM
Congrats to the Ranch! You all deserve it. But what i am really wondering is what does Widget and Margaret think of the Ranch winning?
Posted by: Randi | December 23, 2009 at 09:10 PM
I voted every day as my way of saying thank you to you and all the volunteers and other people involved with RDR! I'm so glad ALL our votes could make this possible. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Posted by: Lisa | December 23, 2009 at 08:56 PM
Congratulations-I am thrilled to hear that the animals at the ranch will benefit from the grand prize! You are all so deserving! Happy Holidays and many blessings for the New Year to each and everyone of you at the RDR!
Posted by: melissa | December 23, 2009 at 08:47 PM
If anyone ever deserved a reward for hard work, it would certainly be the both of you for your work at RDR.
Ed Angell
Posted by: Ed Angell | December 23, 2009 at 08:32 PM
So glad for you . . . get me a Kleenex, please! Voted every day - such a small thing to do to help such a great organization. Blessed Christmas and prosperous New Year!
Posted by: Jill | December 23, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Merry Christmas, Steve and Alayne and God bless you and all the residents of RDR. May the blessings keep rolling in for you!
Posted by: Leila - Washington | December 23, 2009 at 07:28 PM
YAAAAA!!!!
Posted by: Kate and Luke | December 23, 2009 at 07:12 PM
Congratulations! I've been obsessively voting for you for what seems like forever. I'm so glad that you, and the other shelters that were able to get cash grants - have a financial boost.
Posted by: Amy | December 23, 2009 at 06:26 PM
That is just SUPER news!! Merry Christmas!! And Oliver gets adopted...too many blessings to count this year! You deserve them all. Here's to a wonderful 2010 to all. Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Lashaway | December 23, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Hooray!!! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and thank you so much for all that you do. I voted every day from here in California, once from the office and once from home. I love your blog, and find such inspiration in the work you do with your animals. Thank you!
Posted by: Carrie | December 23, 2009 at 05:55 PM
This beautiful & humble post written by Steve, along with the heartfelt responses from all over the world really makes me happy to be a part of the RDR supporters & fans.
Wishing all of you a safe & happy holidays & cherished thoughts of those who earned their blessed wings this year.
Sasha & Lena Malik
Posted by: Sasha in MN | December 23, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Thank you for your hard work, it was an honor to vote for you each day! Don't forget to talk about the cats sometimes too!
Posted by: Jeremy | December 23, 2009 at 05:48 PM
CONGRATS, that is AWESOME!! Thanks for the wonderful work that you do to help the animals! I read (and voted) daily. I'm a beagle mom too.
Posted by: Suzanne | December 23, 2009 at 05:45 PM
Congratulations to you and your wonderful friends - two-legged, three-legged and four-legged. Best wishes for a very happy New Year!
Posted by: Elssa Green | December 23, 2009 at 05:27 PM
I am sobbing so hard I can hardly type! I am so happy I don't even know what to say except Thank you to everyone who voted! I love Rolling Dog Ranch and they deserved this award. I will continue to tell everyone who will listen about RDR and the amazing work they do to help disabled animals. Congratulations Steve and Alayne!!
Posted by: Kim Johnston | December 23, 2009 at 05:16 PM
Congratulations to you. I know the animals are getting the best of care ever and now it will make it easier on y'all. I know I voted daily for you guys.
Posted by: Bill Cain | December 23, 2009 at 04:47 PM
YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! WHOOOOHOOOO!!!
Writing your website link and telling everyone to vote daily all over in the dirt on my truck worked!!!YIPEEE!!! Nothing beats free, highly visible advertising!!
I'd do it again in a heartbeat!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!! Yeah for you and YEAH for the animals!!!
MUCH LOVE!
Heather Montana & Timmy The Wonder Dog
Posted by: Heather Reeves & Timmy | December 23, 2009 at 04:40 PM
We are soooo thrilled to hear that the animals at the ranch won the grand prize! You are all so deserving! We, too, voted many times each day at different locations...from home, work, and at school.
Steve and Alayne: Merry Christmas and many blessings to you both in the New Year. You are truly an inspiration to us all!
Posted by: Nina and the girls! | December 23, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Great thanks for being there for all of us to be able to vote for. What a Merry Christmas for all of you at the ranch ,and all of us who Love You ,and every cat,dog, horse, goat every living thing that lives on the Rolling Ranch.. I hope to be able to visit in the late spring or early summer.It is the one thing I want to do before I cross over the Rainbow Bridge to be greeted by all those wounderful aniamels.....MERRY CHRISTMAS>>>....
Posted by: Ellie Rose | December 23, 2009 at 03:48 PM
NO ONE deserves this honor more that you two angels... Steve and Alayne..........I am proud to be a tiny part of RDR
This is a gift to you and all of us devoted fans !
Happy Christmas
Posted by: Bibi Edwards | December 23, 2009 at 03:43 PM