Homeless²

[SoCalDem]

A google accident led me to this story..which led me to more...

People look down on homeless people, but even though they end up resembling each other, as do many of their dogs, they still have a gentle hand for Man's Best Friend...at least for some of them.. They may not have a warm bed and a roof over their heads, but they have compassion and a willingness to share what they do have..


SJ Homeless Man Dies After Someone Attacks His Dog

POSTED: 9:26 am PDT May 1, 2007

A homeless man died Monday after a scuffle on San Jose's busy West Santa Clara Street just before lunchtime, according to San Jose police. The man, Cornelius Van Der Vies, was a well-known figure in downtown San Jose because of his friendly nature and his constant companion Boo Boo. According to witnesses, another homeless man began throwing things at Boo Boo and Van Der Vies jumped in to defend the animal. Witnesses said the man then turned on Van Der Vies, kicking and hitting him until he collapsed.

The San Jose Mercury news reported Van Der Vies may have suffered a heart attack. The newspaper set up a condolence page that was quickly filled with dozens of responses. People who knew Van Der Vies have also set up a make-shift memorial in his honor. People have been adding flowers and notes throughout Tuesday. Many people are just learning of the death as they come upon the memorial. Some openly weeped and were comforted from strangers who were gathered.


Van Der Vies' dog is now in an animal shelter on Monterey Highway in San Jose. More than 20 people have volunteered to adopt the animal, but a worker at the shelter told NBC11's Garvin Thomas that Boo Boo has a history of bites and may not be suitable for adoption.

snip
Link To Mercury News Condolence Link

Pat from San Leandro wrote: "Cornelius, I never met you, but my future wife thought the world of you. When she heard of your death this morning, she cried all the way to work. You were (and still are) obviously a wonderful person. You are no longer 'homeless', you have a better home than any of us!"


More Homeless from all over the world, sharing what little they have, with their best friend

[JVS]

1. Are these beggars using the dogs as props to elicit more sympathy and thus cash?

[SoCalDem]

2. Some may, but there's no mistaking the genuine bond..

:)

[JVS]

3. What's next? Keeping a feeble-minded human companion

[SoCalDem]

7. Works for Cindy Mccain

:rofl:

[JVS]

8. ba-da-bum!

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

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[dmr]

66. Oh for heaven's sake

Do you not realize how many stray dogs are roaming around this country?

Do you not think that the homeless and stray might meet and form a bond?

Did you not think about how a dog does not judge, but loves unconditionally?

Did you know that professionals train pound dogs to become Companion Dogs that transforms the lives of people with disabilities?

How much love, companionship and trust do you think a homeless person receives out on the cold, mean streets?

Do you believe the homeless would like to feel peace and joy? A sense of worth? A sense of being needed? Of being wanted?

Imagine what a cold nose and warm paws might bring to those who have absolutely nothing.

The pictures in the OP are heart-breakingly beautiful.

[maryf]

110. Nice to see compassion

Thank you! :yourock:

[shireen]

135. thank you, i share your sentiments, nt.

[JustAnotherGen]

100. OMG!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[cliffordu]

60. Are you volunteering??

[SammyWinstonJack]

83. !!!

:thumbsup:

[bullwinkle428]

87. Ancient Chinese proverb : Whe one finds himself in a hole,

it is wise to stop digging!

Unfuckingbelievable.

[lonestarnot]

125. I hope you have no fucking kids.

[tkmorris]

4. I don't believe you just posted that

There are no words.....

[SoCalDem]

6. What?

:shrug::cry:

[tkmorris]

30. Not you. I was replying to the guy

who surmised that homeless people have dogs merely to invoke sympathy and garner more money. That seemed just a WEE bit cynical to me.

[truth2power]

21. I agree. There are no words. n/t

[ZombieHorde]

9. Some insight into your own character.

[JVS]

11. Sorry for being skeptical about the motives of people who seek money.

:eyes:

Although there are hearts cold enough to deny a donation to a lone person, who could resist the needs of a dog? Then there is the owner's cut.

[Neshanic]

17. Amazing.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

24. That is some cold shit.

Very cold.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

75. Deleted message

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[Raster]

94. You know, if you really work at it, you just might rid yourself of those last pesky vestiges...

of humanity. Take a break, push back from keyboard and go eat a kitten. You'll feel better.

[bobbolink]

151. The ugly poster is serving a very important function!

It is giving all of you an idea of what we homeless people are faced with on a daily basis.

It should give you a very good idea of why we run out of energy and hope.

[Raster]

162. My friend my heart goes out to you. The sheer ugliness and inhumanity the poster displayed

is unconscionable. My sincere apologies. No one wants nor asks to be homeless. And it is a testament how cold and callous our society has become that someone would post his type of shit on a democratic, progressive board. Though not a Christian, I can only refer to what Jesus said when asked by his followers how they could truly show their love and prove their devotion to him. Chris replied, and I paraphrase: "the good and the kindness you do to the least among you, you also do to me."

We as a nation and a people have lost our way. We acquiesce to torture, we kill the innocent. We begrudge those that have so little. Again, I apologize. You are very right. This poster has served a very important function, that of an example and teacher. Albeit a bad example and a very poor teacher.

[bobbolink]

164. Thank you, Raster. Your compassion means so much!

It truly does get hard to hold one's head up through all the garbage we get---from so-called "aware" and "progressive" people, too.

"We as a nation and a people have lost our way. "

We've lost our HUMANITY.

It's only $$$$$$$$$ that counts now, and I'm including "progressives" in this.

"This poster has served a very important function, that of an example and teacher. Albeit a bad example and a very poor teacher."

As I said, if you can imagine going through the day being confronted with this kind of verbiage, day after day, then you know what it's like to live in my shoes.

ALL DUers need to know this!

Thank you, Raster... for ALL your words here! Means a lot to me!

:pals:

[Two Americas]

109. "people who seek money?"

That would be all people.

If we are going to be skeptical of "people who seek money," wouldn't it logically follow then that we be more skeptical about people who seek more money?

By your logic - that we should be skeptical about people who seek money, we should hardly be skeptical at all about the people in these pictures, since they are seeking very little money.

Perhaps it is not really skepticism that is at work here, but something more akin to contempt for the less fortunate, or a call for the criminalization of poverty, or callous indifference and hard-heartedness?

[shireen]

136. excellent comments, thank you ! nt

[Two Americas]

144. hi shireen!

Long time no "see."

[Iris]

161. well said.

[dajoki]

114. When is enough...

enough? Is it OK for CEOs to keeps seeking money even though they don't need it and the government corporate welfare takes pretty good care of them? Then why not someone and his dog who have nothing, whom the government have forgotten?

[knitter4democracy]

129. I hope you think the same about corporations.

Hell, they even hire psychologists to know how to market directly to children better and pull all sorts of shameless shit to get our sympathy. They screw a lot more people than a homeless beggar.

[JVS]

130. well duh.

[sandyd921]

14. Why assume that homeless people have any less need for the

companionship of their dogs and only seek to exploit the animals? Given their difficult circumstances I would think it likely that these unfortunate souls have even more need for the comfort of these companion animals.

[JVS]

19. I reject the premise that people need dogs, homeless or not.

Lots of people don't have dogs and are fine. I also question the ethicality of taking on the responsibility of providing for a dog when it is clear that the person taking on this burden is incapable of providing for their own basic needs. Unless having a dog helps increase the take, in which case it seems a bit exploitative.

[Neshanic]

22. Wow, you are on a roll. Keep it coming.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

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[arikara]

33. I'm sure the dogs increase the "take" astronomically

Instead of $7 a day, these guys might bring in $9 with the pooch next to him. /sarcasm

Have a heart, man. To many of these homeless, these dogs are their only friends.

[Name removed]

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[varkam]

55. I'm guessing that you've never had a dog.

I guess that because I used to think a lot like that - until I got a dog (or rather until my friend did). We ended up having to give him up for adoption, but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about and miss him. Sure, people don't need dogs, just like people don't need children. Lots of people don't have children and are fine - right?

[Joe Fields]

59. I reject you asswipery and lack of human compassion.

[emilyg]

67. I don't ever want to meet you or people like you.

Get off my Earth.

[Booster]

147. Best answer yet.

[bobbolink]

152. If you really don't want to meet people like this, then be sure you don't become homeless.

We homeless folk are confronted with this type of "love" on a daily basis.

I'm actually glad this person is here... to show you what we live with.

[emilyg]

159. I'm sorry.

:hug:

[bobbolink]

163. Thank you, emilyg!

Your compassion is much appreciated!

:hug:

[snappyturtle]

103. Maybe they need the dogs for protection. n/t

[CrispyQ]

105. Maybe they had the dog before they became homeless.

Or perhaps the animal is also homeless. What would you have the homeless do? Dump their dogs at the pound or on the streets? The pounds are already overrun with unwanted animals.

So if you object to giving a homeless person with a dog money, why not keep a five pound bag of dog food in your car & give them that? And how about a bottle of water for the pooch on a hot day?

[PatSeg]

133. Often times it is the case where one lost soul finds

another and join together for companionship and survival. Lord knows there are no shortages of unwanted dogs.

Just because a person is destitute doesn't mean he/she has lost all humanity.

[LanternWaste]

157. Seems to me that...

Seems to me that if the dog is already a stray, there is neither a loss, nor a gain (in a purely empirical sense) for either the human or the dog. On the other hand, it seems they both get a bit of companionship, and thus a bit of joy from each other in an already tough existence.

Exploitative? Sheesh-- I can only thank God I have not yet been reduced to perceiving life in a such a cynical manner. Works great for a lot of people, but not me...

[Neshanic]

15. In my history here, I don't think a response has attained complete repugnance. I am amazed.

Those pictures. That one with the long haired man cradling the dog. It's heart crushing.

Wow, and people have me on ignore for my posts.

[Systematic Chaos]

23. Yeah I agree, that definitely takes the cake.

Leaves me at a loss for words.... :(

[cliffordu]

62. Yep.

[SammyWinstonJack]

85. It was heart crushing and tear inducing. And that comment was uncalled for!

Demonstrates much compassion doesn't it? :eyes:

[alphafemale]

88. Many of those pictures are great. The bond is obvious.

Unlike some friends or perhaps even a spouse. You can be assured that your dog would never turn its back on you or walk away in tough times.

Those pictures also reminded me of the song "Mr. Bo Jangles"

"...the dog up and died. He up and died.
After twenty years he still grieves."

[AngryOldDem]

26. Most definitely not.

There is a bond between them.

I know some who preferred to sleep in their cars with their pets, rather than come in to a shelter at night.

We all need to feel loved and wanted, as well as feeling that we are able to care for, and be cared by, others. Animals fit the bill just as much as people do.

[bluesbassman]

27. Ya, those guys must really be raking it in.

Think I'll go down to the pound tomorrow and pick up a mutt so I can hit the streests and get rich. Should have a new Porsche by the end of the month.:sarcasm:

By the way JVS, thanks for demonstrating where the jackass bar is now set.

[JVS]

28. I never said they were getting rich. I said that I suspect that some of them are using the dogs...

as a way of garnering more sympathy and thus more cash than they'd get without the dog. Especially in the case of some of the better groomed dogs there, I see this as a distinct possibility.

[Neshanic]

29. Are you sure you want to reveal any more of your thoughts?

[az chela]

56. Yah right condemn them for taking good care of their

beloved pets.You are a JERK

[SammyWinstonJack]

86. That you would even think such thoughts is telling in and of itself.

[shireen]

137. better groomed dogs?

and why wouldn't homeless people have well-groomed dogs? Are you suggesting that they don't care for their dogs?

Your comments indicate a major lack of empathy for others.

[NickB79]

141. Well-groomed?!?! Those are all short-hair/medium-hair breeds

Dogs do groom themselves, you know. We had several lab-mix mutts (like several of the dogs in the pictures) as farm dogs when I was a kid, and the most grooming they received was pulling burrs out of their fur and inspecting them for ticks. No brushing, no bathes, no haircuts; they were happy, dirty country dogs. They looked just as good as any of the dogs in those pictures.

[SoCalDem]

142. Yes, and street dogs end up inter-breeding so that they

wind up with the hardiest genes, and most actually look rather alike..the world over.. The survival genes win out.. The inbred "pedigreed" dogs are the ones with all the physical and emotional problems :)

[LanternWaste]

158. You suspect this based on what evidence?

You suspect this based on what evidence? Or is this merely a "hunch"?

[cliffordu]

63. Yep. And ya really gotta work at it to reach such a level of complete

jackassery around these parts.

[varkam]

34. Yeah, those bums are on easy street!

:puke: / :eyes: / :rofl:

[JVS]

36. No. The lives of the homeless are quite hard and perhaps not something that is right to impose..

on a dog.

[varkam]

37. I think that's best left up to the individual on a case by case basis, don't you think?

Were you to become homeless, do you think it would be right to have your pets taken from you automatically?

In addition, that really wasn't the sentiment that you were going for with your original post. You seemed to be implying not that life on the street might not be suitable for a dog, but rather that these people were using their dogs to get more money out of passers-by. Just sayin'.

[JVS]

38. I'd have to think about the first part, but the second part is kind of what bugs me.

What more crass form of exploitation is there than to expose a domesticated animal to the life of the homeless and, knowing that people like dogs and will be more giving, improve your own income?

It's unseemly at best.

[varkam]

45. That seems like an assumption to me.

Perhaps they are simply unable to leave the dog anywhere else.

[JVS]

47. It would still be negligent dog owning at best and exploitation at worst

according to this site http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1671&articleid=1543 owning a dog is costly. the pet oner has a responsibility to find the dog a new home if unable to provide.

[Neshanic]

49. You are aware, possibly of really showing a part of you that is maybe best kept secret?

[varkam]

51. Again, your original post had nothing to do with negligence.

And again, your accusations of exploitation are your own assumptions.

[JVS]

52. right. I started with exploitation, you said what if.... , and even giving you concessions it's...

negligence.

[varkam]

53. What?

Your sentence does not compute.

[dajoki]

115. I would bet...

that the dog was also homeless and they just hooked up, worked out for both of them. You are really showing a side that I think you would rather not show.

[Neshanic]

46. Linking homelessness and crassness. Go for the Gold, you are almost there.

[Two Americas]

145. amazing

Now your concern is that the dogs are "being exposed to the life of the homeless?"

What about the humans "being exposed to the life of the homeless?"

I am worried about the pets - and humans - being exposed to the life of the well-off and arrogant, myself.

I would rather sleep in a box than have a heart as hard as yours, and I am certian that any dog would prefer that, as well.

[Withywindle]

70. You do realize there are thousands, if not millions, more homeless dogs (and cats) in the US

than people, right?

So if two of these homeless (but still loving, feeling, empathic) being find each other, who the fuck are you to judge?

If time is money, $10 for a meal for a homeless person and his/her animal companion is a MUCH better deal than 10 minutes reading your nasty posts.

[roody]

120. Have you volunteered at a animal shelter lately?

It may change your thinking.

[NickB79]

143. If the dog is already a stray, what pain does living with a homeless person impose on the animal?

If anything, those homeless men in the pictures are IMPROVING the lives of those dogs:

Notice the picture of the man digging into the large dumpster to find food and goods, with the dog waiting below? That dog couldn't get to thrown food like that on it's own.

Notice that in one picture, there is actually dog food pellets on the ground, indicating the man is buying dogfood for his companion?

See all the dogs wrapped up in blankets and sleeping bags, or just snuggling with their owners for warmth? Is that worse than a stray dog living on it's own on the street?

[az chela]

39. That thought wold never have entered my mine

You must be a pretty heartless person.As i looked at the pics i thought how beautiful,a man and his best friend

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

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[Joe Fields]

58. What an asswipe. n/t

[freeplessinseattle]

64. cats are reluctant to be props, &many homeless have cats

I know of several who take care of and have bonded with homeless cats, and one guy even buys them organic cat food. to no audience.

sure, some may just be props, just as some who have signs stating they are veterans may be lying, but I like to give them the benefit of the doubt.

[SoCalDem]

65. Cats are solitary predators..dogs are "pack" animals

Gone "wild", most cats will manage to hunt and feed themselves, but dogs will usually accept the "leadership" & handouts from a human who treats them well.. cats..not so much..and since they are more prone to roaming, their lives are more "sketchy"..

[bullwinkle428]

89. There was a story of man in Cedar Rapids, IA (a few miles from

where I live) who happened to be homeless veteran that had lived for many months under a highway overpass running through the downtown area before moving to a shelter over the winter once we started getting hit with some extreme weather.

Anyway, he began taking care of a number of stray cats that frequented that area where his camp was set up. Even after moving to the shelter, he would return to that spot to continue bringing food to them as they had become "pets" of sorts.

After the flood waters had receded, he went back to his old camp to look for them, and found the body of one of them, drowned, in the branches of nearby tree - he apparently couldn't escape the rapidly rising waters. He had yet to see any of the others, and wasn't sure if they had survived...he sounded heartbroken.

[galledgoblin]

116. tell me you forgot your sarcasm tag

Jesus Christ...

[roody]

119. That is really cold!

[Evoman]

149. WOW...lol...man, even if you think that, you gotta be a little light upstairs if you post it on DU.

DAYUM.

[MrSlayer]

5. Everyone loved him so much they left him on the streets.

What good are those flowers and memorials serving?

[az chela]

54. You make an excellent point and are so right

[SteppingRazor]

57. Great! So, we can depend on you and the previous poster to turn your homes into shelters?

:D

[sandyd921]

10. Any more word on Boo Boo?

There must be someone who could give him a suitable home somewhere in the San Diego area, even with the biting history. Maybe with some help from an animal behaviorist?

May Cornelius rest in peace.

[SoCalDem]

12. They socialized him, and he may have gotten adopted

Here's a link that's still active..


Update on Boo Boo, Cornelius Van Der Vies Dog
http://www.nbc11.com/news/13437124/detail.html

Boo BooMany of you may have read my post, Homeless Man Protects His Dog Unto Death, the story of Cornelius Van Der Vies who died defend his dog, Boo Boo, from the attack of another homeless man and wonder what happened to Boo Boo.

This week I got in touch with the San Jose Animal Care Center and inquired about Boo Boo. Leslie Tinsdale of the Center got back to me and this washer reply.

“Thank you for your concern for Boo-Boo.

Boo-Boo is still with us at the San Jose Animal Care & Services Shelter and is doing well.

When Boo-Boo leaves our shelter, he will be going to one of the registered rescue groups that we work with. They will in turn, work with him on any issues he might have, and then find an appropriate placement home for him. “

I will continue to keep in touch with Ms. Tinsdale about Boo Boo and we will all hope that he will be soon placed in a rescue where he will be cared for and ultimately in a furever home where he will be loved and taken care of.

[sandyd921]

18. Thank you!

Good to hear that at least Cornelius' faithful companion may have a future of love and care. :hi:

[Octafish]

13. Aqualung

Every human being represents a priceless infinity of possibility. -- Octafish



1. In the beginning Man created god:
and in the image of Man created he him.

2. And Man gave unto god a multitude of names.
That he might be lord over all the earth when it was suited to Man.

3. And on the seventh millionth day Man rested and did
lean heavily on his god and saw that it was good.

4. And Man formed Aqualung of the dust of the ground.
And a host of others likened unto his kind.

5. And these lesser men Man did cast into the void.
And some were burned,
And some were put apart from their kind.

6. And Man became the god that he had created
and with his miracles did rule over all the earth.

7. But as all these things did come to pass,
the spirit that did cause man to create his god,
lived on within all men,
even within Aqualung.

8. And man saw it not.

9. But for Christ’s sake he’d better start looking.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

25. Too bad that the guy who wrote that...

Probably cannot understand what he wrote these days. He lives the life of a Scottish Laird and treats his road crews like crap. He's now a Tory and not a very nice person.

And I got that from friends who worked for Jethro Tull. They did not count it among their better experiences and did not have too many kind words for Ian.

[Octafish]

35. Tories are like Republicans, but only closer to royalty.

I was surprised to read on the Internets that Anderson didn't like it when people referred to Aqualung as a "concept album." So, to get back at the rock-n-roll writers, they came out with a send-up of the concept album genre, "Thick as a Brick."

Knowing a few, rock critics are particularly low form of life, pegged perfectly by Frank Zappa:

"Definition of rock journalism: People who can’t write, doing interviews with people who can’t think, in order to prepare articles for people who can’t read."

Thank you for the heads-up on Tull, Compadre Tandalayo! People who believe in democracy rock.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

97. Rock Critics.

Oh, I can do a 4 hour soliliquy on that particular low-order sub-species. Just the lowest of the low, quite capable of lying to your face in ways that would leave this maladministration reeling in both admiration and disgust. Add to that group Rock Radio DJ's and you have a delightful melange' of beings that raise Liver Flukes to and evolved and civilized species.

Many times, I have had to beat down internal personal urges that loosed their siren song, calling me to drown Rock Critics in our beer cooler in the dressing room. Where they took up residence and started receiving their mail.

[angrycarpenter]

16. I was homeless once

I had to give my dog away. No one loves you when you are down. Except perhaps a dog. A cat would abandon you as soon as your back was turned.

[lpbk2713]

20. "Aint but three things in this old world that's worth a solitary dime ...

and that's old dogs and children and watermelon wine."



TTH

[1620rock]

32. JVS, WTF is wrong with you?

[az chela]

44. any one of us are steps away from being homeless

A job loss,a home destroyed,illness.How can you be so callous????If i were to lose my home tomorrow both of my dogs would get what ever I could get them.I would go hungry for them

[Minervah]

68. RE: any one of us are steps away from being homeless

I was. About six years ago I was laid off my job. This was a job I had only for six months after quiting another job of 12 years after they lost all of the employees' 401k plans through a Ponzi type scheme perpetrated by the investment firm they used. The company I worked for and my union were all involved. I was in my late 50's and although I had plenty of experience job hunting was a nightmare. I was competing with much younger applicants at entry-level salaries. I kept losing out to them.

I exhausted my unemployment benefits and all my life-savings over a period of years. I did get a job during that time but was once again laid off. Finally I reached the point where I had to borrow on my credit cards for food and rent. I have a chronic illness and spent a lot of money on meds. Soon I had to go without them because I could not afford to see a doctor in order to get them renewed. I wouldn't have been able to afford them anyway. Eventually I had to file for bankruptcy.

I no longer had money to pay rent. Now here is the really bad part; although my family, all of whom live in other states knew of my plight, no one offered me a place to live although they had plenty of room. You see, I had been living as a comfortable middle-class single middle-age lady. I had lived frugally and carefully. It was simply not within the realm of understanding that this could happen to a family member. No member of their family could be a bum on the street. But then I was in a kind of denial myself, these things weren't supposed to happen to people who had done all the right things and surely my luck was going to change any day. Like a lot of people here, my family also believed that falling on hard times was an individual's fault and it only happened to lower class lazy people who didn't really want to work. To this day, they are in denial about what happened to me.

I was very lucky in the end. As I was heading down to my last dollar, a dear friend of mine invited me to come and live with her. Another friend convinced her company to hire me by bypassing the HR department which had already turned me down several times and speaking directly to her supervisor about me. The supervisor overrode HR and took me on. I have been there four years this month. It isn't a great job and does not pay anywhere near what I had been earning but it's enough and I am grateful for it.

Not everyone has this kind of luck and some the those unfortunate people are on the ones we see on the streets. I know some are drug addicts and some choose to live there but many are like me; going along and then wham!

BTW I have a kitty and I would have taken her on the streets with me had it come to that. Through all the dark days she was my only happiness. I would never have given her up as long as I could feed and take care of her.

I would like to say to some of you who look at all homeless people and consider them all worthless, this situation can happen to anyone, even you.

[SoCalDem]

69. Wow.. Go YOU!!! and Welcome to DU

:hi:

I think we will be seeing many more people in similar situations.. We have all turned our lives over to "bosses" and their whims.. I know a couple who both worked for the same company, and within 2 months they had both been laid off.. Luckily for them, the housing here was still booming, and they made enough on their house to start over back in Missouri, but being 48 & 50 and having to start all over was a real blow to them..

I also have a friend who is on year 2 of an interest only mortgage, and in a precarious marriage.. We have already told her, she can come here if things get too hard for her..

We ARE our brothers' keepers, whether we think we are or not.

[tkmorris]

72. Welcome to DU Minerva

You can find some really fine allies here. I am heartened that you were able in the end, through good fortune and your friend, to find employment that helps see you through. Please do continue to post your thoughts, especially those regarding homelessness and the plight of the poor. Such are under represented here, though perhaps less so than in many places.

Oh and by the way, say hello to your cat from me and from our cat as well. Tabitha (our cat) isn't terribly social towards other cats as a rule but I'll send her regards on her behalf anyway. Again, welcome to DU!

[Minervah]

104. Thanks Everyone for the Welcomes!

I live in Portland OR where one sees many homeless people everyday. There are the "Downtown" homeless who are more aggressive in asking for hand outs and the "Neighborhood" homeless who pretty much keep to themselves.

We had an interesting discussion about the homeless on another board about the homeless in Portland. It is amazing how some people are in such denial about it. But it's a fact of life. Some people wrote about how the various neighborhoods often help the homeless they see in their neighborhoods day after day, year after year by giving them bottles and cans to take to the supermarket in exchange for money or by employing them to do yard work etc.

Many of the homeless are afraid of our local shelters. They can be dangerous places. One woman told about a homeless man who had lived in her mom's garage on and off for ten years in exchange for doing work around her house. He was afraid of shelters but gave in when a social worker coaxed him into going to one because of an usually cold winter. He was murdered the first night in the shelter by a mentally unstable person high on drugs.

Also, we have talked about pets a lot. Some homeless people will not got to shelters because they would have to abandon their pets to do so. Although our local Humane Society would take the pets in free of charge and try to find them new homes, people do not want to give up their animals and will do anything to keep them.

Of course there are scam artists out there. I once saved a kitten from a jerk who was using it to get sympathy and money from people. I offered him twenty bucks for his "Beloved Kitty" and he took it without a moment's remorse. He made it very clear the cat was now my responsibility and he wouldn't take it back if I changed my mind. Homeless people who care about their animals usually keep them fed and in good shape. This kitten was sickly and frightened to death. I took it to a veterinarian and got it health and then gave it to a no-kill shelter.

Often I will buy pet food for homeless people with pets and they are as grateful as if I had given them food which I have also done. I will not give them money because I don't know who will and who will not spend it on drugs. But I will buy them burgers or whatever fast food it handy downtown.

The homeless vary just as everyone else. There are some down on their luck, some mentally ill with no place to go, teenage runaways, those who choose life in the streets etc. One can't paint them all with one brush. I think as it becomes more and more difficult to survive in out fast-paced money driven society, there will be more people who will have to drop out. What becomes of them should be a concern of us all because there is no telling when it could be us.

[bullwinkle428]

90. Beautiful post, and welcome to DU, Minervah -

I have a cat myself, and would feel exactly the same way about her if I found myself in similar circumstances.

[Minervah]

106. The Beautiful Gracie

Here is a picture of my kitty. I adopted her when I was first laid off. I had had two wonderful meezers (Siamese) cats who had recently passed away at the ripe old ages of 17 and 18. Gracie was a "homeless" kitty. She had been found wandering the streets. She was in terrible shape. She was an estimated two years old and just recovering from having been spayed when they brought her to me. She was wobbly from the anesthetic but refused to be carried and insisited upon walking on her own four paws.

She looked like she had been to Hell and back. I instantly fell in love with her. How could I resist another soul down on her luck? Well several weeks later and a lot of TLC and she began to look like a new cat. In fact my neighbor thought she was a new cat from the one he saw me bring home originally.

I have no "Before" pictures. Gracie doesn't like to be photographed. But here she is as she looks today.
She is there everyday at the door to great me when I come home work and likes to lick my hand when I pet her. She is my wonderful inter-species family and I am so glad I picked her to share my life.

[PatSeg]

134. She is gorgeous

I've never seen a cat quite like her.



Welcome to DU!!!!

[Raster]

95. Bless your heart. Your post speals VOLUMES!

Welcome to DU! We can ALWAYS use more kind, empathetic souls around here. :hi:

[bobbolink]

102. Welcome to DU, Minervah!!!

:bounce: :toast: :party::bounce: :toast: :party::bounce: :toast: :party::bounce: :toast: :party::bounce: :toast: :party::bounce: :toast: :party::bounce:

First, I commend you on your courage to post such a personal and sad story right off the bat.... you are one incredible woman!

I'm sorry that you have experienced so much rejection.... that is so typical, and so much the experience of so many of us that it's almost to be expected. :( :cry: :(

I wish I could PM you, as there is so much that isn't safe to say openly here at DU...sad to say.

Be very good to yourself!

:pals:

[CrispyQ]

107. I am reading George Lakoff's "The Political Mind."

It is an extension of his previous book "Don't Think of an Elephant." He shines light on why conservatives believe that those who are living hard times deserve it.

In a nutshell, it stems from an authoritarian world view. The father/leader (almost always male) is the authority, & rules strictly & with fear & punishment. That supposedly teaches the children/citizens how to live a moral life. If one follows the rules set by the father figure, they should attain prosperity, thus validating their morality. Those who fall on tough times were clearly not moral & deserve their harsh circumstance.

If your local library has a copy, it's worth checking out.

You were indeed fortunate to have people who helped you & went to bat for you. That can make all the difference in the world! I'm glad you were able to overcome your situation & are doing better now. I'm not a believer, but that old saying, "There but for the grace of god, go I" is more true than most people realize.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[bobbolink]

154. Thank you for the recommendation--I'm now 8th in line .... ^_^

Amazing how our Puritan thinking still permeates our consciousness, isn't it?

:hi:

[maryf]

111. Thank you! and welcome

You are a beacon of hope for humanity! O8)

[dajoki]

118. You are so right...

Any number of circumstances could lead someone or a family into homelessness. I got close, but got very lucky. Thanks for your story and WELCOME TO DU!!:hi:

[gateley]

138. Hi, Minerva!

Welcome to DU! :pals:

I'm so happy to hear you were able to make it. And give your kitty a head butt for me. :hi:

[Two Americas]

146. welcome Minervah

Thank you for the wonderful posts - honest and courageous.

[kas125]

48. It's difficult to understand a person with such an attitude.

The dogs could easily have been strays who were homeless themselves before those men found them.

[SoCalDem]

50. Most likely that's what they were.. Soldiers adopt strays in wartime too

It's often the only outlet for compassion, and gentleness they get... There are the occasional stories about the brutes who torment street-animals, but every war, we have a lot of stories about soldiers desperate to smugle out or beg a way home for their wartime furry pal..

[kas125]

71. Well, that's what I thought when I saw the pictures anyway -

homeless people and homeless animals caring for each other. I don't see how someone could look at those pictures and think "scam artists" but I wouldn't WANT to be able to understand that, anyway.

[Withywindle]

73. Exactly.

When you're down, anyone who'll stand by you is the most important being in your life. Most humans won't. A dog will.

Even those of us not as unfortunate (yet) as this guy still understand the value of the unconditional love of animals. I'm cynical enough to be all to aware of how conditional most human "love" really is, but animals have a primal innocence that transcends that, and all they ask for in exchange is food and protection and companionship.

[SoCalDem]

77. Dogs don't care how much money you have..and most will eat any scrap they get

We have always had rescue dogs, and at the risk of anthropomorphizing them I swore I could see the "thank you" in their little faces when they looked at us :)..They seemed truly grateful for anything they got from us..and asked nothing much in return.. Like perpetual 3 yr old children..delightful to be around...

[tkmorris]

74. Plus, I think they see a kindred spirit

They are quite similar in their way, not wanted anywhere and just struggling to stay alive most days. When you are truly hungry it is impossible to not feel empathy towards other creatures who share that plight.

[Joe Fields]

43. SoCalDem, you have moved me beyond words. n/t

[Number23]

76. Beautiful photos

You can feel the love between the person and the dog. I wouldn't be too surprised if more often than not if that relationship wasn't the most loving one both dog or man had ever had.

Very sad and touching. Thanks for this.

[windoe]

78. It wouldn't take much for most of us to be on the street ourselves

-miss a payment or two, how long does a savings last? I have always been aware of how close the street was to me, both my parents grew up poor, so we grew up hearing about their evictions and survival.

Thank you for this moving post. I am continually amazed at some people's lack of empathy (sociopaths among us?)

[SoCalDem]

80. I have always felt that the way people view animals can tell a lot

I once "lost" a friend over my cat.. Our sweet Miss Kitty (aged 16) got breast cancer, and the day the vet told me she was going to die, I was a basket case.. My friend called me during a crying jag, and said.. "What's wrong?".. I told her and she said one more thing that changed my feelingd for her forever..
she said.. "You should go to the pound and get a "new one".. they have lots of cats there"..

After that conversation, I never felt the same about her again.. We did not stop being friends, but I lost a closeness to her, that I thought was there..

[alphafemale]

92. Some people don't get it.

It is losing a member of your family that you've loved.

And people treat it as if you've lost your wallet or had a TV stolen or something.

[varelse]

79. This is a familiar sight on our streets

and the great majority of the people (here, at least) aren't "beggars", just homeless.

Is it just me, or are we seeing growing hostility and cruelty toward the poor, homeless, and immigrant populations lately? Are hard times translating to increasingly harsh attitudes? :(

[SoCalDem]

82. I think it's a coping mechanism for many..

A job loss or loss of medical insurance can put most of us right there.. I'd ask anyone to consider their age, and the fact that most of us will live to at least 70-something.. How long would your "saved money" or the money made on the sale of your house (if you could even sell it now) last you, if you could not find a job for ...say... 2 months?.. 3 months?...6 months?

In most cases, if you are an adult without "tender-age" children in your care, and you are not obviously handicapped, social services will be very unavailable to you.. If you are 50-something, it's very possible that you might not have parents or elder-family members who would/could take you in..you may not have children, or maybe those children live far away from you, and are in dire straits themselves..

and once you fall through the cracks, your ability to start over gets harder and harder..

It's a steep spiral..not a gentle slide...and it does not let up..

Most people need a car to get to a job (if they can even get one)..cars come with steep costs.. keeping up with insurance, registration, gas, maintenance are a lots of expenses that unemployed people cannot come up with, when you lose your income.

if you lose your home, you'll likely have a shitty credit score, so you might not be able to find anyone to rent to you, and if you did, you'd still have to come up with close to $2k for deposits and first & last month's rent (around here)..

Once you lose your home, people tend to get unkempt and dirty pretty quickly, and staying clean can be a fulltime "job".. Where do you keep your clothes? how do you keep them clean? how can you apply for jobs when you have no phone, no address, no place to wash up or even sleep?

Once "out", you are pretty much there, until someone "rescues" you

[ScreamingMeemie]

81. So many tears for this man they all "loved", and yet none loved

him enough to help him find shelter? How sad. May he rest in peace. I am just sorry that so many pay lip service and yet won't/don't make the leap to truly help another.

[SoCalDem]

84. guilt, probably..

People pass homeless people by every day, and probably don't really think about them.. That man actually looked pretty well groomed, and without ever knowing him, it looked like he tried to remain presentable, so maybe people thought he was doing okay..

There was a homeless woman who "lived" near a place I once worked.. Our store only knew her as "Mary", and the managers always let her wash up in our bathroom, and even gave her food (it was a grocery store).. Several people thorough the years tried to find her some help, but other than getting her a PO Box so she sould get her SS check and cahsing it for her, she would not accept any help.. Her SS check was $383.00..:(

[alphafemale]

93. "she would not accept any help"

That may have been the case with this man as well.

There's a fellow who we know with so much pride that we dare not do anything other than save our aluminum cans for him. He would be wounded by an offer of cash or telling him how to better his life.

And he's one of the most cheerful people I've ever met. Much happier than most of my other friends who are wondering how they are going to make the rent, car payment, utilities and still eat this week.

[alphafemale]

91. Could you repost the link to the story in the SJMN? It's not in the OP.

Thanks.

[SoCalDem]

113. Here's the NBC link.. (Also leads to video of Boo-Boo)

http://www.nbc11.com/news/13437124/detail.html

[alphafemale]

122. Thank ye.

:hi:

[alphafemale]

96. And in this pic...I'm sorry but the dog, at least, looks absolutely regal.

The guy also has a look contradicting his immediate circumstances and clothing.

It's like they are both lost in time somehow. By their expressions he and his companion should be clad in armor and the queens crest.

[Raster]

98. "...he and his companion should be clad in armor and the queens crest."

Perhaps at another point in the space/time continuium, they are.:hi:

[CrispyQ]

108. That is my favorite photo as well.

Love your description of their possible circumstance in another timeline!

:hi:

[SoCalDem]

112. They reminded me of "American Gothic" in a weird way

..very serene, and bold in an odd way..Like... Here we are, sitting up straight..and not ashamed to be out front..

[alphafemale]

121. Now THAT would be one helluva photoshop.

:hi:

[SoCalDem]

123. Do you see it too?

[alphafemale]

127. I don't know. Those people in American Gothic always sort of scared me.

It is a painting that's been spoofed plenty of times though.

The angle of the man's head is even close to that of the woman's in the picture.

[SoCalDem]

132. They have dignity.. but this one tore at my heart

Our middle son was a hell raiser, always threatening to run away...and when I saw this young man, I thought of Mike, and what he might have done.... This young guy is someone's son or brother...and for whatever reason, that dear doggie is all he has to cling to now..

[CrispyQ]

99. A former boss of mine was pretty heartless,

until the day her husband brought home a dog. The difference it made in her was stunning! In just a few short months, she was more compassionate toward animals & people.

One day we were coming home from some corporate event & I saw her do something she never would have done previously. We were in her Lexus sedan & it was spritzing rain. We pulled up to an intersection & there was a man with his dog standing on the corner. She got out of the car, opened the trunk, gave the man the bag of dog food that was back there. Back in the car, while drivers behind her were honking & flipping her off, she fished in her purse, pulled out a fairly large bill, handed it to him & said, "Good luck, sir."

It may not work for everyone, but for a good number of us, having a close relationship with animals makes us better people. I know it has for me & it did for her. I always keep a some bucks in my glove box for handing out. Maybe I should add a 5 pound bag of dog food, too. :)

These are touching photos & my heart goes out to all -- both the animals & the people. Thanks for a wonderfully touching thread!

Kicked, rec'd & bookmarked!

[alphafemale]

101. Sometimes people only need a gentle nudge to become incredible people.

Other people could be beat over the head all their life and it wouldn't make any difference.

[renie408]

117. It is really sad that dogs are better people than any of the people I know. n/t

[lonestarnot]

124. So now the fuckers are gona kill BooBoo! Sonofabitches!

[SoCalDem]

126. No.. They are socializing him.. click the link here

http://www.nbc11.com/news/13437124/detail.html

I did not realize I had not posted it in the OP, until after the editing time expired..

Dogs like Boo-Boo who get media attention usually DO find a home.. Everyone feels guilty and wants to save them..after a horrible thing happens..before it happens..not so much..

[lonestarnot]

150. Go BooBoo!

:applause: Yes terrible first then restorative action follows, way of the world, can we change it?

[Vidar]

128. I've taken in four homeless people so far, & considering

I'm behind a year in my property taxes, I may soon be joining their ranks.

[gateley]

139. Damien and the Leper.

That's the story this reminds me of. Much love to you. :hug:

[psychmommy]

131. i blame crap videos like bum fights and bum hunt

for the despicable people that hurt the homeless. or the sickos that hurt animals. i think animals have the ability (that we lost) to see us, as we are without all of the bullshit and to love us anyway. even when we are the most unlovable. when i was 8 years old my parents divorced and i was molested by a family friend. i sort of shut down on everybody else but, my dog was right there for me. he wouldn't let me push him away. i think he made all of the difference in the world at that time. i would cry to him and hug him, he reminded me that i was loved and lovable. that is probably how those homeless people feel. i saw those pics and cried because i know that feeling. pets are gifts from God, just like our kids.

[alphafemale]

140. Those dogs have no idea, nor would they care, that they are at the lowest rungs of "poor."

They just know they are loved. And they are happy.

[renie408]

156. Bingo. Animals aren't worried about keeping up with the Joneses.

They are worried about security, food and shelter. And THEIR definition of 'security, food and shelter' is a helluva sight different from OUR definition of those things. The average American dog is being killed with kindness. They are experiencing the same joint and health problems that their owners do from indulging in an excessive lifestyle. Too much food and too little exercise. It wouldn't amaze me if the pets of the homeless are HEALTHIER than those of the average suburban family. And dogs feel secure as long as somebody has their back and shelter is just some place to get out of the worst of the weather. Look at wolves.

So, I would imagine that the homeless lifestyle suits most dogs right down to the ground. Literally.

[roughsatori]

148. The more I see of men the more I like dogs.

said Madame de stael.

[bobbolink]

155. The ugly one polluting this thread is doing us all a big service.

That poster with the hate-chip on the shoulder is showing everyone here what we homeless people deal with on a daily basis.

Is it any wonder we lose hope and spirit?

[w8liftinglady]

153. I guess I am naive...this brought tears to my eyes

I am reminded of a song
"What it's Like"..by Everlast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z9f9Eybv4I

[kerry-is-my-prez]

160. Most of the dogs/cats look pretty sad - so do the people.

n/t

[SoCalDem]

165. It would be very hard to be happy, and homeless at the same time..

Every time we go and "bump up the thermostat" on a cold wintery night, we need to remember that there are people and pets sleeping outside..somewhere..and probably not that far from us :(

[bobbolink]

167. Not only that......

But being stared at and sneered at if you have to go inside a store or somewhere to put on warmer clothes to prepare for the night.

[SoCalDem]

168. There are many places who will not allow homeless people

even to come into their stores...and I've even been to places that would not allow anyone but employees to use their restrooms....

[bobbolink]

169. Of course... after all, the "good" people might "catch" something...

I often feel like I should be carrying a sign... "UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN"

:(

[yellowdogintexas]

166. reminds me of a man who comes to our church mission, with a cute little blonde dog

named Sunshine.

Sunshine is well known to our mission workers, and they keep kibble around for her.

I met him and Sunshine when I went to help out at our chili lunches that are served during the holidays. Sunshine is the only four legged creature allowed to come in for chili.

He let me hold her once and I was honored. I think she may be a blonde Yorkie, she is about that size. Sweet little thing.

I need to ask about them when I go to church this week.

[bobbolink]

170. Two dogs who saved the life of a homeless woman I know....

I've come to know a woman who was homeless a few years ago.

Like every other homeless person I've spoken with at length, she said she just wanted to die.

It was her two dogs who kept her alive... she knew they needed her care.

She was sent to apply to a shelter. There she was told that they would "put down" her two dogs and in return give her two weeks in a shelter.

Fair exchange.... the two who saved her life for two weeks in a lousy, damned shelter.

Such humanity...

:grr: