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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 |
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Rolling Dog RanchAnimal Sanctuary |
Steve Smith and Alayne Marker, founders of the Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary, a safe haven for disabled animals, know a thing or two about life changing experiences. While the two come off as rather practical and immensely down-to-earth, they’d be the first to say that the secret to pursuing your passions doesn’t necessarily lie in the planning. |
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Although some thought and organization are undeniably essential to achieving any goal in life, Smith and Marker have found that perhaps more important is the ability to keep an open mind so that you can switch gears when necessary. After all, as the married couple has learned over the past decade or so, no matter how well you prepare for your future, you’re almost bound to encounter a few surprises.
About a decade ago, for example, Smith and Marker were quite content with their corporate jobs at Boeing in Seattle. But after volunteering at local animal shelters, they decided it was time to dedicate themselves to a cause few people hear of, let alone think twice about: offering vulnerable and misplaced animals a chance to lead happy and fulfilling lives.
“We started adopting special needs animals. Most of them had serious issues but they weren’t aggressive—they were just scared to death of people. And those are the kind of animals that adopters just walk right on by in a shelter situation,” Smith said. “Through the course of all that, we recognized that there was a need for someone to focus on these kinds of animals and that led us to our most vulnerable animals… the disabled.”
Although they initially began planning for an early retirement as a way to dedicate the time and energy they felt this issue needed, they ultimately decided it could not wait and quit their jobs ten years early to set out to the Blackfoot River Valley of Western Montana. Even after beginning their dream project in 2000, Smith and Marker have seen their original vision of the ranch and its residents evolve. Having originally conceived of the sanctuary for small shelter animals (i.e.: dogs and cats), they were stopped right in their tracks after receiving their very first resident—Lena, a blind horse. But despite never having encountered a blind horse before, they discovered caring for Lena wasn’t as difficult as they expected and was actually quite a pleasure.
In fact, they’ve found that to be true of all the animals sent to them, no matter what condition they supposedly “suffer” from. From blindness to cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological disorder that impairs the development of motor and balance skills, each of the property’s 75 residents has found a place on the ranch and in the founders’ hearts—not so much because of their cuddliness but rather their sheer enjoyment of life. The dogs, cats and horses that roll around in the ranch’s tranquil grassy fields (hence the ranch’s name) don’t pity themselves and neither do their caretakers. Smith and Marker instead feel immensely inspired by how well they not only adapt to their condition and environment but also flourish once given the proper care and more importantly, faith in their abilities. “They show us that everyday and it’s incredible,” Smith says.
In the end, it seems it's hard to tell who's given whom a new lease on life. But one thing is for certain: all the residents of the Rolling Dog Ranch would not have had the chance to open each other's minds without the welcoming arms of its founders.
