Most people prefer to turn a blind eye to all the homeless and suffering. It is far easier and peaceful to ignore it than to carry their weight on your own shoulders. But for someone who has nothing, any small amount you can offer may literally mean EVERYTHING.
This morning I read an article on what do do when you see homeless people with dogs. In the past I've felt a bit annoyed that a homeless person has the nerve to care for a pet. They can't even care for themselves. But this morning I thought about it differently. If I were to fall on tough times and become homeless I would do everything in my power to keep my dogs. I would never take an animal of mine to a shelter were they could be put down or live in a cage for who knows how long. I would never let my animals feel like they were abandoned. They wouldn't understand the circumstances. All they would know is that I left them and they were alone.
So if I were homeless, I'd have my dog with me everyday on a leash. I'd feed them before I'd feed myself. I'd keep them warm and I'd be their companion. And they'd be mine. That's the thing with dogs, they really are your best friend. Even as I'm typing this I have a dog laying at my feet and one right behind my chair. They are my friends, my companions, my cuddlers, and my babies. They make me feel loved and I do the same for them. I wouldn't give them up for the world. A life on the street with me would be better than a life in a cage at a shelter. Like I said, there are so many dogs in shelters, mine would just be 2 more. They may never find a home or get adopted.
So i guess my view has changed. I don't know the homeless person's circumstances, but if they are caring for the dog at their side, they are just another animal lover to me. Whether that dog has been through becoming homeless with them, or they found it as a stray on the street. If they are feeding it and caring for it it's alright by me.
I agree Amanda, and what is do is NOT a small part of it. You bring awareness to us in sooo many ways. What you are is your own little pay it forward..... YOU have no idea the impact of your posts. It gets us all thinking and shows us how we can get involved not only in your humanitarian efforts to "Save the World" but also your posts about how we should be staying heathy. We may not tell you as often as you deserve to hear it, but we are very affected by your positive nature and you are helping us to stay alive longer. We love you and we appreciate your efforts to save the world. Please don't ever change. We (I especially) are so grateful that you are in our lives. Those puppies are giving unconditional love to people who may have never known it!!!! I have been feeding a man (marine) and his dogs for over a year who lived under an overpass in philly on my way to the beach every weekend. Keep doing what you are doing and don't think that people aren't listening. Some take a little longer to be motivated, so your tireless efforts are moving the country one person at a time. You are doing a great job of "Paying it forward" and we love you for it. You are one special person and I have grown to see that in you. Never change who you are!!! Love your other Mom!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It's nice to know that people are listening and I can have an impact. If everyone made small efforts here and then we could really change lives.
DeleteA person isn't necessarily homeless because they "can't even care for themselves". A home is an expense and luxury that many people do not have. Not all animals come from expensive breeders, and not all end up in shelters. Some come FROM shelters to be loved by a person or family, and some live their entire lives on the street. And YOU could just as easily end up on the street - it can happen to anyone. Think about it. Not everyone has large families who can take them in.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. There are so many circumstances that may lead up to becoming homeless it's difficult to even speculate. And yes, not all dogs come from breeders. Many come from shelters, like my pets. And yes, I could easily end up on the street. I'm not saying anything negative about homeless people in this post. I'm simply stating that I respect when someone is willing to care for the life of another creature, regardless of their circumstances. This post is about caring for animals, it's not a comment on homelessness....though if you'd like a post on that I'd be happy to write one.
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