why does homeless person have a pet dog

by 64 replies
82
the dog is probably thinking, dude i could do this on my own. stay outside and wonder the streets.
something to think about.
haha
#off topic forum
  • If I were homeless, a dog could be a good food hunting asset... or just "food". lol
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  • I work with the homeless and dogs a great way to stave of the loneliness & isolation that go along with having nowhere to go and nothing to do. Sad but true :-(
    clnrdr64
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  • Companionship and Security.
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  • To protect their expensive laptops.

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    • When I worked at the local shelter people used to come in with laptops all of the time to use the Wifi. I thought it was strange until I found out that many local libraries will check out laptops to people under certain conditions, such as coming into the library regularly already. In fact, our shelter would vouch for several individuals so they could check them out. We also used to have old laptops donated to us to give to people at the shelter.
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    • Hehe sure looks like it!
  • well, homeless guy and homeless dog? they're probably just buddies!
  • I seen a guy with a pet bird in a bird cage. That would be funny if he caught it. Except it would probably die. :/
  • More than likely they had the dog before they were homeless. When things go bad and you are forced to become homeless, companionship is valuable. A dog can be a valuable friend. Like it was said above, it can be very lonely.
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    • I once bailed a dog out of jail for a fellow who was arrested. The man was homeless at the time and had no family in the area. He called me in a panic thinking his black lab would be taken to an animal shelter.

      The man didn't ask me to bail him out - just to save his dog. I knew him only slightly but drove over to get the dog and kept him for 2-3 weeks.

      He had a real bond with that dog and the dog was well trained and healthy.
      The guy called when he was released and I met him at a local park to return his pet. It was quite a reunion. The man was a grown up "bad boy" who had nothing - but he sure loved that lab.
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  • ya it sucks if the dog isn't being taken care of, but its true that they are probably lonely. If they live in areas with people im sure most dogs don't go unfed. The worst is when you see homeless people with little kids, that worries me....
  • I've seen people who are homeless from bad circumstances - and some that just prefer to be nomads. Many have dogs. The dogs are usually in better shape than the people.

    Go through a neighborhood during a cold or rainy night and look at all the sad, neglected, wet, freezing dogs who's owners could give two craps about them being miserable outside of their door. Now who is worse off? The dog with an owner that cares enough to go through extra hardship to have him along - or the poor dog with the owner who is a souless piece of garbage inside a house?
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    • Ya, I had a friend ranting about how homeless people shouldn't have dogs because they shouldn't be taking care of an animal if they can't take care of themselves. I turn around and pointed out that at least those dogs had love and someone trying to take care of them. I mean... my next door neighbor's only contact with his dog is when he fills up the giant food feeder every few days. Not to mention how many strays run around with no food at all. I mean, it is one thing if the dog is obviously underfed and uncared for, but any homeless person I've seen with a dog loves their dog and takes care of it the best they can.
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  • There's a kid around here that is basically homeless and camps out with his 120 lb malamute.

    He hitch hikes all over and takes his dog with him...He told me that many people that pick him up say they are only doing it for the dog. He also says that people give him money because of his dog.

    BTW his dog is one of the coolest dogs I've met. Great personality and looks just like the REAL Balto, the famous dog sled dog...

    YouTube - ‪Balto in news‬‏
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    • yep, that's what I was going to say.

      I had a friend who worked with homeless folks. So one day I met my friend down by a riverbank where the homeless folks were hanging out. Took my dog with me. Two points:

      1. These guys were sharing a bunch of chicken strips -- and they were happily giving them to my dog. (They offered some to me, too.) I thanked them and told them the dog had had enough after I realized they were going to keep sharing. Not just bites or crumbs -- they were feeding her.

      I think it was pretty clear I wasn't homeless, being that I drove up in a car and I came out there to meet my friend. Still, these guys were more than happy to share their meal with my dog. If any of those guys got a dog in the future, I know for certain the dog wouldn't suffer.


      2. One of the old guys kept looking at my dog, hinting around: "Boy, I sure could make extra money if I had that dog on the corner with me today."

      So aside from love and companionship, dogs do indeed help their owners earn money and food.

      Cheers,
      Becky
  • Here in Tampa the homeless stand on street corners and beg for money with signs while they're talking on cell phones.
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    • Do they still try to sell you those 'Word of God' pamphlets like they did there in the 70's?
      One day a friend and I got some of them and started giving them away at the intersection of Nebraska and Waters Ave. A few 'homeless' guys threatened us because we where on their corner and we where giving them away.

      As for real homeless people having pets, why not.
      I've know a few homeless people who had pets.
      Like one guy told me, you're never lonely and you're always with someone who loves one no matter what.
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  • Homeless guy also needs a good buddy!
  • I see this all the time in West Hollywood!
  • I get what you're saying about companionship, but it's still being pretty selfish to make a dog suffer with you.
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    • Why do you assume the dog is suffering? Do dogs now require the same luxuries as the human status quo seekers to be happy? You do realize that a pack of dogs can still live in the wild with not a whit of a problem?

      Save your empathy for the human who is homeless - the dog's doing fine.

      I find it fascinating that people are concerned that the person should not have the only thing that means something to them instead of worrying about why they have no home. I'm starting to think the homeless people aren't so bad off dropping out of a society with attitudes like that, too.
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  • You have to have companion to keep you sane
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    • I was homeless seven years ago Dan.

      I can honestly tell you I think what you've just written is one of the most comprehensively ignorant statements I've ever heard on this forum and that really is saying something.

      I can also tell you I never saw any with mobile phones or lap tops. There are a myriad of reasons why people wind up on the streets, to put them all in one catagory goes to show the level of intelligence of some people.

      I look forward to reading more of your low intelligence posts in the future, Dan.
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  • A dog becomes a good companion for a homeless and a lonely person.
  • Because they need a companion, they do not want to be completely lonely. Also, dogs can find some food and be used as food ( like in China )
  • It's a way to ward off trouble, and ofcourse just for company
  • Let me also add...Most homeless can't afford to get a job, and it has to do with cash flow.

    Sure, a homeless person may get a job today, but when's their first paycheck? Some jobs pay every two weeks, with a one week holding period. That's up to 3 weeks to get a paycheck.

    But if you're homeless, you need food today, so you have to hustle today so you can eat today. And then tomorrow comes, and it starts all over...If you have a job, you'll likely miss any free lunches, soup lines, etc. and you'll literally starve before getting your first check.

    So if you want to help a homeless person, understand that cashflow is the biggest thing holding them back. You need to pay them daily, in cash. Giving them a job and a paycheck weeks later just won't work.
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    • Banned
      Not to mention the fact that most work places have turned to direct deposit. Which the last time I checked, my bank wanted an initial deposit to open an account, that's been 11 years since I last changed banks, maybe that's changed? Kind of a catch-22 unless you can find work that pays cash, to get you started.




  • Yep, companionship. Mans best friend and all that.

    I'm sure many homeless folk couldn't find that anywhere else...
  • Because thats the only thing they have , and will remain ,no matter how poor they are or how rich they become .
  • There are so many reasons for people to become homeless.Yes , some prefer that way of life ~ Most Don't !
    There have been some great comments here, but no one mentioned Medical expenses ( No Medical Insurance ) ~ I know a couple who were just about homeless ~ if not for friends ~ All the money went to bills and Medical expenses ~ Then came the lay offs and no work to be found ~ She had to be around to take care of her husband~ 35 years old and came down with a seizure disorder ~multiple seizures daily without meds, which is not as uncommon as believed ~ So the next time you see the homeless ~ maybe you should stop and think about the Why as well as the how and Be happy it is not you
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    • Since I don't think you can PM I'll ask you here.
      Where did you tend bar?
      We're in the same area and you do look a little familiar to me.
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  • I imagine to keep them company, and help them from being too lonely. I don't think homeless people have many social opportunities to make friends.
  • Maybe to eat as a last reort? Especially in China i beleive they like that kind of stuff.
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    • Yeah, i'm gonna have to go with the desperate food measures theory lol
  • Homeless people are way smarter than we give them credit for. I swear at one point they all went to business college to study marketing. The dogs, babies, cuts and bruises are all marketing tactics to engage with bystanders on an emotional level.

    Research shows that people actually feel more sympathy for the dog than they do for the individual. Hence, a whining dog or a crying baby brings in big bucks. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if after the day finishes they get into BMW's and drive off into the sunset to party with their like minded homeless individuals.

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    • You're mistaking panhandlers with the homeless. Most homeless people don't beg.
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  • Companionship is probably one of the main reasons. When most people look the other way or ignore you, having someone to comfort or comfort you is nice.

    Also you'll often find that people have more sympathy with the dog than the homeless person and will giv loose change because of the dog. It's not nice but it's true.
  • Dogs are hunters. Survivors by design.

    I don't know about you guys, but most people I know wouldn't survive in the streets alone for a month. The support system that was addressed before has a lot to do with the situation of those individuals.

    Dogs are also pack animals. Most of them aren't loners. Humans are also pack animals, but we call ourselves civil or social.

    From a survivalist point of view, there is strength in numbers.

    Another reason is companionship. Memoirs, diaries, documents, found of shipwrecks and other sort of disaster/survivor accounts tell that the reason why a lot of them commit suicide is not because a lack of resources but because they where alone.

    Depression kills faster than a lot of diseases a good friend to share the good days and the bad days can get you a long way.

    The last resort/meal its just plain silly. You wouldn't eat your best friend, only friend, if all you have to do is wait 24 hours and go to a soup kitchen.

    Jaguar
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  • I imagine it is for the same reason I've seen homeless people with house keys. They are not all as bad off as they would like people to think they are. One news station did a story on many of the so-called homeless people on street corners, and it was revealed that a great number of them earn over $200 a day in donations.

    Even if they received only $20 a day in donations, that is enough to keep them from being homeless. A great majority of them choose to be homeless and irresponsible non-tax paying citizens.

    Most can not rightfully claim they are not in the best of health to work... not when they can be on their feet on a street corner begging in a hot or cold smog and emissions concentrated environment all day long.
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    • Panhandlers and homeless people are two different things. Obviously reading posts in a thread is too time consuming for you. Either that, or you prefer ignorance.

      And where do you get your figures that a "vast majority" choose to be homeless and "irresponsible non-tax paying citizens"? Do you just make up numbers to try to jutify your intolerance? As far as not paying taxes, I think you've confused the homeless with GE.

      You may also want to research how many Vietnam vets are homeless. BTW, what have you done for your country?

      Also, please explain your bookkeeping and show us how to not be homeless for $20 a day...I'd like to know how that works for myself.
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  • I think they do have pet dogs for them to have a company.
  • its maybe dog is man's best friend..that's why..lol......
  • To keep them company. .
  • maybe the dog is a stray dog, and the homeless guy found him, since the guy need companion the man adopt the dog.
  • To keep them company. . .
  • EFS- Emergency food supply
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