Seattle's KING TV, May 9, 2003
Rolling Dog Ranch - a place for special animals
By MICHELLE TROXEL / Evening Magazine
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The animals feel much loved at the ranch. |
In Western Montana, there's something very special happening down on the ranch. Nestled in the scenic Blackfoot Valley, many lives are being spared by a couple from Seattle.
Just outside Ovando, Montana, there's a very special ranch. It's a home to lots of special animals and two special people.
"We have dogs and cats, horses, cows, sheep, donkeys and one pig," said Steve Smith. "Ever since Alayne and I got married, we had been coming to Montana for vacations and we knew someday we wanted to live out here in the Rockies."
"Sometimes there are things that are just more important in life than the good, high-paying jobs," said Alayne Marker.
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She has no eyes but she can feel love. |
Steve and Alayne left their high-paying corporate jobs in Seattle, bought the ranch and moved to Montana.
They call it the Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary, but it's not your ordinary ranch and their animals are not ordinary animals.
Their animals are disabled and have very special needs.
"Our particular focus is really on the disabled and the elderly and the infirmed, those that can't be adopted out because of health issues and those are animals that typically never get a second chance. That's really why we setup the sanctuary to be able to provide a refuge for animals with disabilities or who were old or had medical problems that no one else was going to be able to treat," said Steve.
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A special cat! |
Steve and Alayne started Rolling Dog Ranch Sanctuary to care for animals others could no longer care for.
But why save animals that nobody else wants, animals that would normally be euthanized?
Because it gives them a second chance, because they feel the animals have the right to continue to live and love life just as much as anybody else.
They want to be there for animals like Champagne Bob, a cat that has a rare skeletal disorder which has permanently crippled him.
Steve and Alayne found that animals with disabilities, old animals and animals with serious health problems can still have a wonderful quality of life and enjoy things.
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Dusty the blind sled dog. |
But with so many animals in need, what are their hopes for the future?
"At some point in the future we would like to become a national resource for handicapped animals," said Steve.
For now, they both have their hands full 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Steve and Alayne say that many of the animals they receive can be adopted, it just takes someone very special who understands the love it requires to take care of an animal with very special needs.
Rolling Dog Ranch operates entirely on donations. If you'd
like more information or would like to help, log on to their
Web site.
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Steve hopes to become a national resource for handicapped animals. |
