Sep 25 2008
Dogs and Homeless Owners: A Shared Fate
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A while back, my friend and I were walking on the street and we noticed a pair of eyes peeking out at us through a blanket. Then we both realized it was a small dog, some type of terrier. As our eyesight zoomed out a bit, we saw a homeless lady cradling the dog. As soon as we passed the lady, my friend tells me how bad she felt for the dog and how she was a little upset at the fact that homeless people don’t give up their dogs. She thought it was wrong because she felt that homeless people can’t even take care of themselves, let alone their dogs.
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I just sympathized with her point, but I also suggested a hypothetical situation, which involved her as the homeless person. I told her to imagine what it would be like and whether or not she would give up her dogs (she has two). I explained to her (something along these lines): Imagine losing everything. And your dogs were all you had left. Sure, you could try to find them a better home, but what if no one could take them? Would you give it to a shelter (probably no-kill), but would that guarantee a good home for your dogs? Some kind of home is better than no home, right? Maybe, maybe not. But you do know one thing for sure, and that is the fact that you love your dogs. Some people see their pets as their best friends. It’s hard for them to give them up. But really could you imagine giving up your dogs in a situation like that?
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She didn’t answer because she knew that if the situation was real for her, it would be a difficult decision to make. It became evident in her mind that it wasn’t a situation that had a clear-cut solution, at least when feelings are involved.
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I think that it’s hard to witness an animal fall to the same fate as its homeless owner. It’s unfortunate for the animals because their life is being led by the owner. Yet, in my opinion, I don’t think it’s wrong for a homeless person to have an animal companion. We don’t know what this person is going through or what reasons he has for keeping his animal(s). It’s all speculative. Also, maybe homeless people find stray dogs, befriend them, and “take them in.” It’s very possible that a roof over an animal’s head isn’t always the answer to finding good care and love. If an animal finds a loving bond with someone who is able to care for the animal, whether homeless or not, that’s really a point to consider. Perhaps animals find “homes” in the people themselves, not an actual roof.
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Some homeless people take on responsibility for a stray that befriends them. Regardless of whether the homeless person was the owner before becoming homeless, or if they are providing for a stray, I always go out of my way to give to those homeless who have four-legged companions.