Happy Dog

This was a few weeks ago. I had just left a family BBQ. I made sure to grab as many left overs as I could (which I always do) and was driving home. I needed to stop at the store so I pulled into a corner store. As I was looking for a spot to park, I noticed a lady hanging halfway out of the large dumpster in the back. I have been homeless before so I could understand why she was doing it. I parked my car and went into the store. As I was leaving the store, I noticed the lady had a pet carrier that was in much better shape then the rest of her other items. And out of the carrier came a Pit Bull pup wagging his tail. He also had on a Superman sweater and looked in much better shape than his owner.

I was planning on already offering the lady a few dollars but once I saw that pup, I had to walk over there. The owner was a nice lady but you could tell she had some substance issues. I asked her, "Did you find anything good tonight? Are you hungry?"

That is when she pulled out a sub sandwich out of her cart and held it up.

"I have this, I planned on giving most of it to the dog."

I didn't need a closer look, from where I was standing, I could see the sandwich was old and moldy and should not be eaten even by a dog. I told her to stay there and I would be back. I rushed back to my car and gathered up all the food I had in my car. It was mainly burgers, hot dogs and a few sides. I walked back over and told her I didn't need all this food and would like for her and her dog to have it. She looked at me straight in the eyes for about ten seconds and then she started crying.

I asked if I offended her and apologized. She insisted that I hadn't offended her, it was the opposite. She said, "Everyone treats me as if I don't exist. It is nice to see someone who cares."

I told her that no matter what position she was in, she was still a person and people should help others when they can. She calmed down enough to take the food. The first thing she did was grab a burger and gave it to the dog. We stood there and spoke for a few minutes. She told me about her life on the streets and how hard she tries to keep her little Pit happy. I told her that I could tell she loves her dog. She tried offering me small things like the change in her pocket or other not so preserved food items in return for the food I had given her but I told her that as long as she keeps loving that dog, we were even.

She asked for a hug, and the way she asked was as if she was a leper and I would be disgusted. I gave her a big bear hug and told her no matter where she finds herself, she matters and to keep loving that Pitt. That dog must have gone through about two burgers and a hot dog or two in in the time we had talked.

As I turned to walk back to my car, I looked down at the pup, now with burger all over his face, and a big smile. I could tell that was one happy dog.