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!
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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!
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.
Posted by: FELICIA | March 02, 2010 at 01:26 PM
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!
Posted by: Ann | February 25, 2010 at 03:53 AM
What a wonderful slideshow. Sarah's voice over just made it more special. I swear I could almost hear Herbie purring!
Posted by: Shelli Smith | February 24, 2010 at 09:07 PM
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!
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | February 24, 2010 at 07:53 PM
I loved it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Lynda | February 24, 2010 at 04:32 PM
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!!!
Posted by: Doe George | February 24, 2010 at 03:16 PM
This slide show absolutely rocked- loved the commentary also- so heart warming!! Beautiful!!
Barbara Techel & Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Posted by: Barbara Techel | February 24, 2010 at 03:05 PM
I wish I had those photos for notecards! Fabulous photos. Love everything about Rolling Dog Ranch!!!
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | February 24, 2010 at 02:55 PM
Truly wonderful photos - they are like works of art. And precious little Herbie. What more can I say?
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | February 24, 2010 at 02:37 PM
Wow, definitely brought tears to my eyes. She really captured the essence of each and every one of them. Truly a gifted photographer.
Posted by: Aliza | February 24, 2010 at 02:10 PM
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!!
Posted by: Marianne Hubach | February 24, 2010 at 02:00 PM
Wow...this is an amazing slideshow. How wonderful.
Posted by: Maxly | February 24, 2010 at 01:13 PM
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.
Posted by: Inger Wiltz | February 24, 2010 at 01:13 PM
WOW!! I'm speechless.. that was awesome!! The photos were extraordinary!!
Posted by: Maree in NZ | February 24, 2010 at 01:07 PM
The video is wonderful and so inspiring! God Bless You!
Posted by: Linda Murphy | February 24, 2010 at 12:11 PM
Great job Sarah. Very well put together. The shot is perfect. Well done.
Posted by: Ev | February 24, 2010 at 11:56 AM
That's awesome, so glad you are getting deserved attention for your great work.
Posted by: Dawn | February 24, 2010 at 11:21 AM
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!
Posted by: Leslie - PA | February 24, 2010 at 10:47 AM
The photograph of beautiful wobbly Allie waving made me burst into tears.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | February 24, 2010 at 10:44 AM
All I can say is "amazing". I feel as though I know these special animals through Sarah's work. Thank you!
Posted by: Kristin | February 24, 2010 at 10:34 AM
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...
Posted by: Linda | February 24, 2010 at 10:19 AM
What a beautiful slideshow! You have a great collection of multimedia presentations of the ranch!
Posted by: Lynne Parker | February 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM
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.
Posted by: Chloe | February 24, 2010 at 09:18 AM
A great set of pictures!! You guys are wonderful. So is Sarah Ause. I posted it at Shelter Tails.
Posted by: Adele in the Bronx | February 24, 2010 at 08:51 AM
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!
Posted by: Lisa | February 24, 2010 at 08:27 AM
Absolutely amazing photos!
Posted by: Debbie | February 24, 2010 at 08:01 AM
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!
Posted by: Jessica, NL | February 24, 2010 at 06:18 AM
Some really great pictures - but perhaps the last one was the best - a beautiful picture at sunset - amazing!
Posted by: Suzanne | February 24, 2010 at 12:32 AM
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!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | February 24, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Simply beautiful!
Posted by: Shauna at WSU | February 23, 2010 at 11:00 PM
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!
Posted by: Alisa | February 23, 2010 at 11:00 PM
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! :)
Posted by: Karen Wilson | February 23, 2010 at 10:23 PM
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!
Posted by: Kelly | February 23, 2010 at 10:09 PM
Wow. Simply Wow. The light, the composition, the emotion in those photos is stellar. Thank you and Best Friends for sharing!
Posted by: Darcie | February 23, 2010 at 09:59 PM
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.
Posted by: Diane B. | February 23, 2010 at 08:02 PM
Wow. That slide show is incredible. But then again, so are you. :-)
Posted by: Margaret & Jasmine | February 23, 2010 at 07:47 PM
BREATHTAKING! AWESOME! INCREDIBLE! I love these pictures!
Posted by: Sharon | February 23, 2010 at 07:33 PM