Homeless People With Dogs

I always say that I wish I could save the world. More particularly, I'd like to save those in this world who cannot save themselves: animals and children who have suffered from abuse and /or neglect. But there are thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions that need medical attention and love. I read all the articles, look at the facebook posts and some days I feel completely helpless. Yes, I've done a little by adopting and fostering dogs and cats, volunteering at shelters, and donating food, money and other necessities. But my contributions are so small and the problems are so large.

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.

Four Hours and Three Matches Made in Heaven

At this point, anyone reading this understands my deep respect and empathy for animals. Sometimes I think my feelings towards non humans are stronger than for humans. They're more instinctive and never act maliciously. Dogs especially are the ideal companion animal. The dog has been named "man's best friend" for good reason.  A dog is loyal, his love unwavering. He can help you feel loved when no one else will. He can even unknowingly help boost your immune system and keep you healthy. You are his world and he wants nothing more than to please you. Likewise, it's your responsibility to care for him. His diet, exercise, health, behavior and overall well being is in your hands and yours alone. He is yours and you are his. So naturally I have 2 dogs. If I had a bigger house, a fenced in yard and no husband to keep me in check I'd probably have 4 or 5 more. But let's be realistic... I can't make taking care of animals my life (though one day I hope I can), so all I can do at this point is be their advocate. I can also be a good parent to my own pups.

With my desire to help in any small way I can, I decided to volunteer for the Palmetto Animal League (PAL). This small private rescue organization is volunteer based. With only about a dozen actual employees, this no kill shelter is able to operate with lots of love and care from community members volunteering their time. PAL has around 300 volunteers, some working 3 hours a month and others working 3 hours a day. Each volunteer is important and appreciated. Additionally PAL has some very generous local donors who help the shelter keep it's doors open. It's a tough business to be in and caring for sick, injured and abused animals is wearing on the heart, soul and the bank account. But they get by each month because of the strength and commitment of the community. Their facility was paid for by a generous benefactor and the staff/volunteers keep it clean and safe, never taking it for granted. It is by far he nicest facility I have seen (as far as animal shelters go). As a matter of fact, PAL didn't even have a facility until October of 2010. Before that PAL consisted of a strong network of foster homes for the growing number of animals in need.

Now the organization is doing better than ever. With a strong presence in the community PAL is saving hundreds of lives by taking animals from the streets and other kill shelters and finding them loving forever homes. No case is too big for PAL: from Norton, the bait dog who came to them looking like he only had moments left to live to Melvin, the dog who's owner attacked him, his litter mates and his mother with a machete and was the sole survivor.

Read More About Norton Here

Read More About Melvin Here

Of course not all cases are this extreme. There are abandoned cats, surrendered dogs...the thing you're used to seeing but it never stops breaking your heart. Their waiting list is long and it never stops filling up. Naturally, we all feel very passionately about promoting spay and neuter to prevent this perpetual problem of over-breeding, over-producing, and over-abandoning.

So I spent a few hours yesterday volunteering. I transported a puppy to the local PetSmart (as did several other volunteers) and spent the day talking to passersby about adoption, the stories of the puppies, our mutual love of animals, and how they can help.

Apollo was not adopted yesterday. This handsome grey lab mix is still looking for his forever home. 

Apollo was not adopted yesterday. This handsome grey lab mix is still looking for his forever home. 

At the end of the day 3 of our 4 pups got adopted. I had a hunch we'd have a successful day. All of the above pictured dogs are only 5 months old. The puppies usually get adopted fairly quickly. What saddens me is there are still so many adult dogs back at the shelter who need loving homes. Some have never known what it's like to have a family, some had a family once only to be abandoned...but each has a story of their own and deserves the love and adoration of a human of their own. Though it may not be much, spending 4 hours on a Saturday afternoon is a great way to help. I enjoyed spending the day with PAL and look forward to my next time there.