Remembering Al...

Long time supporter, animal writer and friend crosses the rainbow bridge.

Editor’s note: Last month, we learned of the passing of a Best Friends supporter. In the last months of his life, Al Mattos visited Angels Rest at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary regularly with his wife Beth. Their beloved dog Dustee is placed there. Over time he became fast friends with Ro Pernelli, former coordinator at Angels Rest at Best Friends in Kanab, Utah. Please read her beautiful tribute to this very special man.

Editor's note II, September 21 From Ro Pernelli: Al's beloved wife, Beth, joined him and Dusty at the Rainbow Bridge on September 19.

By Ro Pernelli

The first time I met Alfred – Al, as I would later know him – it was early October. Bright Utah sun caressed the chill breeze blowing through Angels Rest, inviting hundreds of wind chimes to sing. Al had made the 87-mile drive from St. George to Kanab, bringing his lovely wife, Beth, to visit the site of their beloved miniature schnauzer, Dustee.

Not wanting to interrupt the serenity of the moment, I followed quietly along as the tall, elderly gentleman confidently and lovingly guided Beth's wheelchair to the place of Dustee’s eternal rest. A distinctive granite marker bearing a gleaming photo of the happy little dog graced the site. Al paused with Beth and gazed for a moment at Dustee’s picture and then retrieved a small, colorful stone from his pocket and reverently placed it at the site.

Placing stones is a tradition at Angels Rest, borrowed in part from Hebrew and Native American customs, to signal each time a loved one pays a visit. There are many stones at Dustee's site.

In this somber moment, as I searched for the right words to say, Al turned to me. Then, with a twinkle in his eye, he cracked a joke. Caught off guard, I didn’t quite know how to react. Sensing my unease, I imagine, he cracked another. I knew in an instant Al was a special kind of guy and this would be the start of a great friendship. What I couldn’t know is that it would end far too soon.

Pictured left: Beth and Sam. For each of the next four months, Al called ahead to let me know when he and Beth were planning a visit to Angels Rest. Beth, who is especially fond of my fluffy little dog Sam, would hold him on her lap throughout each visit. The friendship deepened steadily as we talked of many things, Al frequently peppering the commentary with his droll, wry wit. Often, I couldn’t tell from his deadpan delivery whether he was teasing or serious, but all I had to do was look for that twinkle in his eye and I’d know.

During Al’s Thanksgiving Day visit, he managed to work into the conversation that he liked to write stories about animals. In my experience, nothing about Al was boastful; in fact, just the opposite. Understatement and self-deprecation defined him. So, I was genuinely curious about the stories he’d written and mentioned in passing I’d love to read a few.

Within days of that visit, I received the first hefty package from Al, filled with an array of short stories bearing titles like “The Playful Goat” and “Ralph the Rat.” I had barely begun reading through them when the second plump package arrived. “Now Al,” I thought to myself, “I’m a busy working gal…I can only read so fast!”

But the stories were delightful. Each compact little tale, told from the perspective of enchanting woodland or domestic creatures, told of their consternation over one kind of predicament or another. I loved every one I read. I still haven’t gotten to them all.

Wednesday, March 7 was a day like any other. I poured through the morning mail to find yet another chunky envelope full of stories from Al, together with a sweet, newsy letter he’d written the previous Friday, promising another visit in a few weeks. I smiled at the thought of my now dear friend inundating me with more reading than I had bargained for.

Late that afternoon, I returned to the office to check my phone messages after doing some work at Angels Rest. As is often the case, there were lots of messages, so I settled in with pen and pad to jot notes to myself as I listened to each one.

A cheery, but unfamiliar young female voice greeted me and introduced herself as Al’s granddaughter. She explained Beth had asked her to call to let me know that Al crossed the Rainbow Bridge peacefully in his sleep Saturday afternoon.

The world stopped spinning for a moment. All sound ceased. Denial raged. “But he just wrote to me. He just sent me more stories. I still haven’t finished reading all his stories...”

The next day I drove to St. George to attend Al’s memorial. I found him resting peacefully, surrounded by a loving, extended family. From them, and throughout the moving tribute, I learned much more about the many accomplishments of this fascinating man.

Born in California to a family of Portuguese nurserymen, Al began as a teenager taking moving pictures as the exciting new technology emerged. Throughout his life, he made movies to document his exotic travels to places like the Great Wall of China. He worked as a window dresser, a practical engineer, an artist, an inventor, and a craftsman. He was an avid outdoorsman, nature lover, and friend to the animals. He would have turned 90 on his next birthday.

Pictured right: Al and Dustee. After the service, Beth needlessly apologized for her free-flowing tears. She and I both wished I could’ve brought Sam along to comfort her, but the mortuary manager had said no. As we sat together and chatted, Beth shared many wonderful tales of her life and travels with Al. Chief among them, of course, were memories of Dustee. He was originally Beth’s dog, but when Al came into the picture, it wasn’t long before he and Dustee became inseparable. Dustee loved to sit with Al, whose extra-long legs made for the perfect, level vantage point from which the curious little dog could gaze at the world. Beth and I took a measure of comfort knowing Al and Dustee were together again.

The last time I saw Al, I stood to the right of his casket, tears streaming, whispered goodbye, and told him a little joke. I could almost swear I saw a twinkle in his eye.

Learn more about Angels Rest at Best Friends