homeless people with dogs

[ricos_mama]

Today when I was driving to work, I saw a homeless man with an old beagle mix. I knew the dog was his because he was calling it by name and the dog was obeying his commands. I felt very sorry for them both, but especailly the dog, because not only was he really old, but limping and with a huge lump on his back. I thought that it is not fair for that homeless man to keep that dog, he should give it up to someone who can afford to take care of him and his medical problems. Then I started to think, well, it would be better than being a stray dog and having to fend for yourself, someone would give you food, sometimes, and you wouldn't be alone, someone would be able to make sure you dont get hit by a car, and stuff like that and i am sure that he helps the homeless man too, emotionally. How would I feel? what would I do? I would give Rico an Ava up so that they could have a better life than what I could give, and that would kill me, to not have them. Now I am confuzed about how I feel about it, I wish that there was some kind of help that homeless people could get if they had a dog that was sick...but that might encourage them to get dogs. I dont know what to think, what do you guys think????

 

[FarleyBoxer]

I tend to think that, unless they are in obvious distress, dogs can live very fulfilling lives with a homeless owner. Just like any person with a comfortable home, these people need companionship and a trusted friend. Living on the street, I would think there would not be many people you could trust and it is often a very dangerous life. A dog would certainly be your best protector and guardian, who also loved you no matter how long ago your last shower was or that he or she did not get to eat the primest of meat each day, like many of our pups.

They are almost always very dirty and probably not in the kind of health we at BW would call optimal, but I agree that life with a loving owner, (no matter what the situation), would be better than life alone on the street.

 

[Marybeth18]

I was going over the GW bridge about a month ago with my boyfriend and our friend - we were taking him to Newark airport. Anyway, before the span there is a pretty large homeless population and we saw a homeless man with a black cat. At first I had your same first reaction - how unfair. My boyfriend snapped me back into reality pretty quick - there are so many stray and uncared for animals in New York, isn't it better for this cat to have found someone who at least loves him and tries to take care of him? I thought about how lonely and horrible it must be....so we gave the poor guy some $$...it is a very sad world that we live in...

 

[Lilypickle]

I look at as that poor homeless man has obviously lost everything and his dog may be the one good thing left. May be the thing that keeps him going. Companionship can go a long way on a cold night and and ear that listens even without complete comprehension can bring comfort in a time of need. If it were me and I was homeless, I would keep my dogs and treat them as extension of myself - if I eat, they eat, if I have shelter, they have shelter, etc. A dogs unconditional love never asks us to give them the best, it only asks us to give the best we can and to give it with love. My dogs are my support system and I am not sure I could ever give them up. I need them as much as they need me.

 

[Coco'smommy]

I second what Camille said...I think your absolutely right, each other may be the only happiness they have. And just to add a bit, they are probably so attached to each other that if they were seperated, they both would probably go downhill.

 

[BXR BUS]

I agree with you all.
I hate to admit I am the biggest sucker out there for strays and for the less fortunate animals. (I feed 8 ferel cats that I am trying to catch as well)
We have homeless camps all over the place and once a month I spend $20 dollars and buy 3 bags of food, Now this is just Ol Roy type of food but I take it to the homeless camp so that they can feed their dogs, there is a gentlemen there that gives me a reciept so I can claim it as a donation.
It cost's me $240 a yr which is nothing in the big sceem of things, and I know it goes to a good cause. In my mind I hope it allows the homeless to feel better at least knowing man's best friend has food. They are very greatful for the dog food. I know I can not save the world but I try and do what I can when I can. I also make dog treats and sell to help raise money for things to buy some of the dogs..beds, sweaters, and toys etc. I also go down and do a big dog wash a few times a yr...normally begining & end of summer and I bring all the shampoo's, brushes and towels. It is also a way for me to be able to see the dogs up close to make sure that none of them are in dire need of medical attention or are in any pain.
I too have mixed feelings about it at times, but I have to keep myself real and I just tell myself that just because they are homeless does not mean they should not have unconditional love from mans best friend, there is nothing like it :o)

 

[Helena]

At first I thought the same as everyone else, that the dog would be better off with a nice family, etc. If the two of them are happy together and the animal was being cared for, why not

The dog itself may have been a stray at one time and had managed to find a friend in the homeless person.

Life is tough long road especially if you are on your own, even for a dog.

Everyone deserves a bit of companionship.

Helena & Tori