Best Friends Animal Society founder dies in crash

Ernst Paul Eckhoff co-founder Best Friends
dies in car crash.

March 26, 4:01 PM


Ernst Paul Eckhoff, one of the original founders of the world famous Best Friends Animal Society died in a car accident in Kanab, Utah. Highway Patrol officers reported that Eckhoff died at the scene on Tuesday, March 24th. He was 72 years-old.

Eckhoff will be greatly missed by the animal rescue world, but his legacy will live on and be remembered every time a visitor or volunteer passes by one of the many buildings he designed at the sanctuary.

Ernst Paul Eckhoff studied architecture in London before he and a group of animal advocates moved to the United States and began their historical creation of the Best Friends sanctuary for homeless and abused animals. Today, Best Friends is one of the largest and most respected sanctuaries in the world, housing approximately 1,700 animals.

Eckhoff used his talent for design to construct some of the famous and innovative buildings at Best Friends. He created Dogtown where homeless dogs are welcome, Wild Cat Village for feral felines and the Feathered Friends building.

In recent years, Eckhoff shared his design expertise with other animal rescue groups, offering free online question and answer seminars. Ernst Paul Eckhoff also worked extensively with abused animals at Best Friends. In the world of animal rescue when a pet dies, it is said that they go to heaven and wait at The Rainbow Bridge for their owners. I am sure there were plenty of animals waiting to greet Eckhoff on Tuesday.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...



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