Best Friends

By: Samantha Glen

Narrated by: Juliette Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Discover a place where every animal is safe, loved, and allowed to live out its natural life. Here is the inspiring true story of Best Friends, an animal sanctuary a few dedicated people made happen, and thousands of furry and feathered friends have called home. Meet the residents, including Sinjin, the badly burned black cat and Sparkles, the broken-down packhorse. Meet their rescuers: a famous symphony conductor, a successful architect, veterinarians, and others. Most of all, fall in love with the animals and people who share a special bond and whose often comic, sometimes poignant, always enchanting adventures together will touch your heart, and teach us all the true meaning of Best Friends.

©2001 Sam Alan, Inc. (P)2001 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"A heartwarming and inspiring tale of love, dedication, and courage." (Library Journal)
"Well-written and informative." (Booklist)

A MUST Read

I have never read a more heartwarming, honestly told story in my life. Makes me want to be in Utah helping these people. I found the people and the animals so wonderful and the hard work that the people had from the beginning and they never faltered. This is a must read for anyone who loves animals or contributes to any organization. I highly recommend it.

Amazing

This book was amazing and inspiring more than I could have asked for

Very Sweet!

I first heard about the Best Friends organization when they were involved with the rescues after Hurricane Katrina. I am so glad I found this book and learned about the organization--it's beginnings, goals, and many, many successes. It is a fairly old book, but I have visited their website to catch up with their progress, and was glad to see they have grown and fulfilled many of their dreams since the book ended. I have a huge soft spot for all animals, and Best Friends is an organization to be admired for all the good they have done, and will continue to do on behalf of animals. This book is very interesting, well written and narrated very well. Side note--the book does not focus on tragedies or the sadder aspects of rescuing and helping animals--it is very uplifting. I guess the best praise would be that I bought five hard copies of this book to be able to share with some of my fellow animal-loving friends!!

Making the Difference

If you want to be inspired and have your faith in humanity restored this is your must read!

ANIMAL & HUMAN FRIENDSHIP W/SPIRITUAL COMPONENT

This is a true story about a true place, and it had to be told. I heard a few mispronunciations and the writing is not Great Art, but the narrator has a pleasant voice and the story is very well told in an organized way. That said, the people and animals in the story are most wonderful! The people are all gifted and committed and while not necessarily religious, they are all tuned in to a higher power and certainly meditate and envision. A few passages are almost spooky; I am thinking of the list of names. The animals experience wonderful healings. Every transaction is a spiritual working-out. I loved the passage where the brittle city woman with her cigaret got all bent outta shape over a little bitty snake! [This is not a spoiler.] There are also hints about how animal rehabbers and zoo keepers must care for themselves as well as the animals. The book is a fairly easy listen to see what happens and re-listen to get more clarity. Well worth while!

Tears and laughter

Tears and laughter are so entwined in the story of Best Friends. I was so pleased when I found out about this book. I had heard about this sanctuary years ago, especially Dogtown. The story is even more compelling in the book. If I were able I would be a visitor .

Good Story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If they were an animal lover - YES

Would you be willing to try another one of Juliette Parker’s performances?

NO! She was horrible!! I had a hard time staying focused on the store because of her voice and the way she used it. Especially for the men talking. She is to 'sing songy'.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Disappointing read for a wonderful story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Would not recommend. This is an important and heartwarming story about good, dedicated people doing something significant in this world for animals. Unfortunately, the poor quality writing and the narration makes it painfully challenging to get through. This book falls prey to the same issue plaguing many animal themed books - it is written in a juvenile and condescending style that makes the humans seem frivolous, simple and all together cartoonish. This flaw is exaggerated by a narrator who reads the book as if she's reading a bedtime children's story. I was so interested in learning the story of Best Friends and so disappointed in the quality of this book.