"I've been contemplating that two or three years," he says. "I decided to move into this, and I went for it."

He says he told them "I'm presuming you'll get something like this every year."

Best Friends of Baker Inc. is a nonprofit animal rescue group that places homeless dogs and cats in foster homes until the animals are adopted.

Brookshier made his donation to the Best Friends shelter fund, which will be untouched until it contains enough money to build a shelter, or renovate a building on a piece of property.

Right now the fund has $60,000 thanks to Brookshier's check, an anonymous $10,000 donation made a year ago, and contributions from the community.

"Two years ago we had $400," Castles said.

She said their goal for the shelter fund is to raise $500,000 to $650,000 from both donations and matching grants.

"Our vision of a shelter is not a building of cement you hose down every day," she said. "We want something that is doggy friendly, people friendly and welcoming."

Ideally, the shelter will mimic a home setting "with couches and noise," she said, and be surrounded by a yard where the animals can exercise and breathe fresh air. Also, they hope to have volunteers come play with the dogs and take the animals on walks.

Brookshier, who has lived in Baker City since 1965 and worked for Standard Oil, the BLM and Ellingson Lumber Co., donated to Best Friends because he also cares about animals.

"I've had a dog all my life, and I certainly enjoy them," he says.

Right now he has two cats, which don't require as much energy as dogs.

"Now I can't go out and exercise him, so I don't have one," Brookshier said. "I'm not gonna pen one up."

He hopes his donation will prompt others to support Best Friends, either with monetary donations or a plot of land for the shelter.

"I like animals, and I ain't a rich man, but if I had a little piece of land � I'd give it to them," he said. "I hope it inspires someone to reach into their hip pockets."

About Best Friends of Baker

Best Friends formally began in 1988 with the work of Castles and her sister, Pam Busey. In 1989 the organization received nonprofit status.

Unfortunately, volunteers burned out after five years and Best Friends went dormant.

The group was revived in May 2005, and members now meet once a month, on the second Tuesday at 6 p.m. on the second floor of Basche-Sage Place, 2101 Main St. New members are always welcome.

But back to the animals.

When a dog or cat comes into Best Friends care, the animal is taken to a veterinarian for a well-check, shots, a grooming, is spayed and neutered if needed, and then placed in a foster home for socialization.

"A total makeover," Castles said.

Currently Best Friends has 50 members and six active foster homes, though more temporary homes are needed, Ott said.

She said that since 2005, Best Friends has "touched the lives of over 500 animals."

Foster animals are adopted out only after the prospective family has been interviewed and the home approved.

And, if that family later decides they can't keep the animal, the dog or cat must be returned to Best Friends.

"Once you're a Best Friends dog, you're always a Best Friends dog," Castles said. "It's a lifetime warranty, basically."

Available animals are advertised on posters around town and on the Web site www.petfinder.com

Also, a recent $2,500 grant from the Leo Adler Community Fund will help Best Friends develop its own Web site.

Those who wish to support Best Friends can donate either to the shelter fund or the general fund, which pays for medical costs, foster care, food and transportation when animals are adopted out of the area.

For more information, call Castles at 523-3323 or Ott at 523-2970.