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Homeless with pets
When I was downtown today, I saw something pretty unusual - a homeless
panhandler with pets. I actually have a great deal of respect for panhandlers, because they make their living standing at street corners every day, a more troublesome, thankless task than anything I've ever done for a living. So in my mind, their social status is higher than mine. But anyhoo, I've never seen a panhandler with pets. She had a cat and a dog, all wrapped up in blankets with just their heads showing, on top of her shopping cart. The dog looked like some sort of beagle mix, and the kitty looked like a white and black half persian. It was 27 F out (about -2 or -3 C?), at a busy, bustling intersection (Harvard Square). It didn't seem like the best environment for raising furkids. I talked briefly with the homeless lady, and asked her about her pets. She said that they were pretty warm, since they were all tucked in, and were wearing pet sweaters. I didn't notice the sweaters because they were under the blankets. I peeked underneath, and they were both wearing nice sweaters, actually. I gave both the dog and the cat scritches. They were good docile pets. Or maybe just cold and tired - it was hard to tell. So I suppose it's good to know that if worst comes to worst, and you happen to become homeless, you can take your pets with you, although I don't think I'd recommend it. |
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"Takayuki" wrote in message ... So I suppose it's good to know that if worst comes to worst, and you happen to become homeless, you can take your pets with you I've lived in a van with 8 cats and a dog (and one other person)before but it was in the desert. So glad I didn't try to do it in a city. |
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Takayuki wrote: But anyhoo, I've never seen a panhandler with pets. Really? Where do you live? I've seen a great many of L.A.'s homeless with dogs, although I admit cats are more unusual. (Mainly because of the nature of the beast - cats tend to prefer a fixed place of residence, whereas dogs are more adventurous.) |
#4
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So I suppose it's good to know that if worst comes to worst, and you
happen to become homeless, you can take your pets with you, although I don't think I'd recommend it. Heh. I have a soft spot for panhandlers too. I talked to one last winter who had a dog with him. (the dog's name was Suitcase Sam, by the way). The dog seemed pretty okay with all of it, looked healthy. And of course, true to my nature, I was more worried about the dog than the guy. Sherry |
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"Pat" wrote:
"Takayuki" wrote in message .. . So I suppose it's good to know that if worst comes to worst, and you happen to become homeless, you can take your pets with you I've lived in a van with 8 cats and a dog (and one other person)before but it was in the desert. So glad I didn't try to do it in a city. That sounds hard, being homeless in the desert, what with the hot sun, and all. Eight cats in a van is a lot! Lucky that wasn't in Australia, because if you're homeless in the Australian desert, there's the problem of dealing with those nomadic bands that fight over petrol. |
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"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" wrote:
Takayuki wrote: But anyhoo, I've never seen a panhandler with pets. Really? Where do you live? I've seen a great many of L.A.'s homeless with dogs, although I admit cats are more unusual. (Mainly because of the nature of the beast - cats tend to prefer a fixed place of residence, whereas dogs are more adventurous.) I'm in Massachusetts, Boston area, although I don't see panhandlers every day, since I actually live a fair way outside the city these days. |
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"Takayuki" wrote in message
... When I was downtown today, I saw something pretty unusual - a homeless panhandler with pets. I actually have a great deal of respect for panhandlers, because they make their living standing at street corners every day, a more troublesome, thankless task than anything I've ever done for a living. So in my mind, their social status is higher than mine. But anyhoo, I've never seen a panhandler with pets. She had a cat and a dog, all wrapped up in blankets with just their heads showing, on top of her shopping cart. The dog looked like some sort of beagle mix, and the kitty looked like a white and black half persian. It was 27 F out (about -2 or -3 C?), at a busy, bustling intersection (Harvard Square). It didn't seem like the best environment for raising furkids. I talked briefly with the homeless lady, and asked her about her pets. She said that they were pretty warm, since they were all tucked in, and were wearing pet sweaters. I didn't notice the sweaters because they were under the blankets. I peeked underneath, and they were both wearing nice sweaters, actually. I gave both the dog and the cat scritches. They were good docile pets. Or maybe just cold and tired - it was hard to tell. So I suppose it's good to know that if worst comes to worst, and you happen to become homeless, you can take your pets with you, although I don't think I'd recommend it. My chuch is one of several in my community that serves dinner to homeless people. I can't always help, but when I do, there are often one or two who have dogs. The church stocks dog food along with the food for the dinners. I've never seen a homeless person with a cat, though. Joy |
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Takayuki wrote:
When I was downtown today, I saw something pretty unusual - a homeless panhandler with pets. It's not so unusual in my neck of the woods, because the climate is more temperate here year-round. I've seen a lot of panhandlers with animals, actually. It gets pretty lonely living on the street, so having a pet is probably good for morale. Also, I think it helps with getting donations - people are more likely to give money to someone who has an animal. One time I saw someone who had a cat and a rat. The two animals were great friends. I actually have a great deal of respect for panhandlers, because they make their living standing at street corners every day, a more troublesome, thankless task than anything I've ever done for a living. Not to mention humiliating, much of the time! Joyce |
#9
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Lots of purrs and best wishes for the lady and her pets to find a home
really soon, -- Polonca & Soncek "Takayuki" wrote in message ... When I was downtown today, I saw something pretty unusual - a homeless panhandler with pets. I actually have a great deal of respect for panhandlers, because they make their living standing at street corners every day, a more troublesome, thankless task than anything I've ever done for a living. So in my mind, their social status is higher than mine. But anyhoo, I've never seen a panhandler with pets. She had a cat and a dog, all wrapped up in blankets with just their heads showing, on top of her shopping cart. snip |
#10
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On 2004-12-16, Takayuki penned:
When I was downtown today, I saw something pretty unusual - a homeless panhandler with pets. I see a *lot* of panhandlers with dogs in the Boulder area; most often golden retrievers. It kind of makes sense to me, from a number of angles. In no particular order: * People are less likely to assault a person with a dog * People may take pity on the dog and give the human some help * When you're in that position, you take a lot of rejection and nasty looks. A pet, on the other hand, will keep looking at you with love. Don't think I've ever noticed cats, though! -- monique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey^H^H^H^Hblue-cream DLH with an attitude! |
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