The Black Canyon Animal Sanctuary in Crawford, Colo., doesn't just take in unwanted animals — the staff members go in search of them, responding to calls on anything that's homeless, abandoned and starving. “Some of the dogs and cats that we bring in are so skinny that their ribs are showing,” says Debbie Faulkner, who, along with her husband, David, founded the facility (which is licensed by the Colorado State Department of Agriculture) two and a half years ago. “We've rescued animals that were running loose at gas stations, digging for food in garbage dumps, sleeping in pizza boxes, and even crammed together under filthy conditions in puppy mills. Some were so frightened due to abuse or lack of human contact that at first, they didn't want to get into the car.” Occasionally, one will simply refuse to be coaxed inside, and Debbie “feels terrible when we have to drive off and leave it.”

From much experience, she can usually tell when something is going to bite by the look in their eye, although it “very rarely happens.” Not too long ago, while at a gas station in Arizona with employee Lorinda Hernandez, the two were directed by a Federal Express man towards “an injured, ferocious-looking Pit Bull.” At first, she explains, “We were both a little nervous about going up to it,” but when they did, the dog “wrapped its paws around my waist and clearly indicated that he wanted to be saved.” It was hard to believe that the handsome, well-fed Brindle male, who came over to have his head stroked when he heard us talking about him, was the same animal.

Once at the sanctuary, each new arrival is evaluated, spayed or neutered, dewormed, vaccinated, groomed, and micro-chipped before going up for adoption. (The fee is $80 for a dog and $35 for a cat, a wonderful deal when you consider those costs.) While waiting for new homes, they're grouped together based on personality traits as opposed to breed or size. Litters of puppies are kept separately in roomy, indoor/outdoor kennels while cats and kittens have their own, enormous, toy and tree-filled apartment. To further aid in socialization, they often go to live with foster families, and once a year the dogs are paired off with kids for an extra-special, week-long training camp.

Each June, boys and girls ages 10 to 16 come to Crawford, Colo., from all over the Western Slope to not only work with the dogs but to learn grooming techniques, business management, and organization along with team-working and phone answering skills. “Basic obedience training leads to adoption,” Debbie smiles. In addition, the participants get the opportunity to meet with veterinarians, technicians, breeders, groomers and even wildlife specialists. This time around, for instance, they were treated to several demonstrations by the “Voices for Wildlife” group, including how to handle a falcon and what to do if ever confronted by a moose or bear. There was even an afternoon convoy to a Spirit Wind Horse Rescue foster home outside Crawford where they heard a presentation by Beth Keenan on basic horse safety. Most, however, like Cara, Sam, Jadeyn, Cole and Michael signed up for the camp because, as they each explained to me, they simply love to be around the animals.

Landon, a teen who'd attended the camp the year before, introduced me to Dutch, a black lab mix. “I hadn't seen him since I left last summer,” he said, “but Dutch remembered me. He completely spazzed out, licked my face, and climbed on my lap.” Marisa told me all about Cowboy, a coyote mix who had once been completely undisciplined. “I spent a ton of time with him. At first, he dragged me all over the place and refused to listen. Now, though, he does tricks.” Chelsea said that she someday wanted to design robots that help animals, and Emily will be studying to be a vet.

Debbie, herself, has been bringing home strays since she was a child and as an adult, she's been donating her time as an animal-rescue volunteer and foster mother for over 30 years. “I can always seem to fit one more in,” she says while taking me on a tour of the rapidly-expanding facility. “It's a real epidemic right now. Shelters all across the country are crammed because of the economy, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters. If these don't get adopted” she added, gesturing to the dozen or so that were following us, “they're going to stay here.” Sadly, the numbers keep growing, and although she occasionally receives financial grants and private donations, most of the costs come out of her very own pocket.

“Some of the animals have been so badly traumatized that they can't be adopted out,” says Lorinda. Now Debbie's right hand woman, she does everything from paint to clean to whatever is needed. She also continues to take excess dogs home — the ones which are simply too shy or aggressive. How many does she have right now? She shrugged. “Oh, about 12.” Others, usually the ones with special needs like Elliott, an epileptic (who recently died in Debbie's arms after an especially strong seizure), stay inside the family home with David.

“We can always use more volunteers,” Debbie continued, “You can learn a lot about life just by watching the pack and how the new ones just kind of fit in.” When I asked a small group of teens what they themselves had picked up from their stay at the Sanctuary, they tossed out such words as bonding, love, respect, pecking order, happiness and peacefulness. Bending down to pick up a Chihuahua, Debbie confirmed what I'd already guessed. “I love my life,” she beamed as her face was being licked.

To view the pets that are up for adoption, please go to the website at BlackCanyonAnimalSanctuary.com.

It is official — the 115th Cheyenne Frontier Days is underway. As the Corriente steers roll over the hill it marks the beginning of The Daddy of 'em All.

This tradition goes back generations. It used to be the only way to get the animals from their pasture where F.E. Warren Air Force Base sits now, to Frontier Park. Then someone figured out that it was a lot easier to truck the steers to the park, so they quit doing it. Then, sometime in the mid 1980s the cattle drive was revived and continues to this day.

The Cattle Drive of today is more symbolic than functional, but it is a great way for invited guests, Committee Chairmen, Dandies, wranglers, volunteers and family to get together for a chuck wagon breakfast and some socializing before getting down to the serious business of putting on the 115th edition of the worlds largest western celebration. Everyone has a hearty breakfast of sausage, eggs, and biscuits and gravy, all cooked to perfection in Dutch Ovens, to get into the right frame of mind for a cattle drive.

The drive starts north of Cheyenne and runs south on the service road, parallel to I-25, turns left onto Central, past Kiwanis Lake, turns right onto Kennedy Road, and eventually winds its way to Frontier Park. The entire trip is roughly 6-miles. It is quite a procession with vintage wagons and buggies loaded with media and guests leading the way. Next comes Miss Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Lady in Waiting, followed by 300 Corriente steers. The Committee Chairmen bring up the rear and the whole procession is surrounded by cowboys that hopefully can keep the steers together and moving forward. The Cattle Drive follows the same route to Frontier Park every year and is held on the Sunday before the first rodeo performance.

This annual event is always enjoyed by the many onlookers that line the roads along the route. Traffic along the route is controlled by the Cheyenne police and the Wyoming Highway Patrol takes care of keeping traffic moving along I-25. It is always interesting to see that the cars from Colorado and Wyoming hardly slow down, while the cars bearing plates from eastern states slow to almost a crawl. The windows open, the kids shout, and cameras are thrust through the window to record an image of the ‘wild west' to show to folks back at home.

Once the steers reach the arena, the cowboys take over the job of moving the herd from the Committee Chairmen. Then it is once around the track and into pens where they are sorted, fitted with horn wraps and readied for timed event action at the 115th Cheyenne Frontier Days.