I literally cringe every time I see a homeless person being followed by a dog. If you can’t provide for yourself. what makes you think you are capable of providing for a dog? Get a job or don’t have a pet, there is no in between, there is no justification. If you’re lonely, too bad. You should think of another option other than bringing a poor defenceless animal down with you. —Tired of this crap
This article appears in Sep 19-25, 2013.
The dog is normally used as a “sympathy getter” when you see the piece of homeless, slacker, work shy bastard you want to Al Shabbab the cretin, then you see the dog and drop some coin in the scummers cup.
From your perspective, I see what you think- but I know for a fact that these people’s dogs are among the happiest I’ve met. They get much more love and attention (in general) than many others simply because they are 24/7 companions. I also know that most of these folks would feed their dog before eating anything themselves.
Purely general terms, of course. There are always exceptions.
Some of those dogs look too well fed to be anything other than a ‘prop’ for scoring free cash for hooch and drugs. Also, beware of beggars who wear better footwear than you.
If you’re a shiftless, lazy bum, you have no right bringing an animal down to your shiftless level. Making a pup sit for hours on concrete is not a kindness on any level.
A lot of these pets are taken care of very well. They’re always with their owner, and I have not come across one that was violent or dangerous. If the animals are happy, and the homeless have a companion, why judge them for that? It’s also possible the animals were homeless themselves. And while you chose to ignore that skinny cat in the street on your way to Costco, someone else decided to take care of it. You’re a piece of shit.
Wait until the filth start deliberately maiming their kids to make them more sympathetically appealing to us, overfed, sybaritic first-worlders. Coming soon to streetcorner near you.
Take the homeless persons companion friend away!
They’re the scum of society they shouldn’t be allowed to have friends! And they’re obviously terrible people, I mean they’re homeless right?! Every single of of em is a blight on our fair citys face.
Kill em all!!!
…..oops, got a little carried away :S
Homeless? We have shelters where these folks sleep and kitchens where they eat. Those of us who walk past them during the day are their entertainment as they do not have televisions.
What makes you think that because they are “homeless” that they don’t/can’t provide for themselves? I never see emaciated animals with “homeless” people…
In a lot of third world countries, homeless humans and homeless animals find each other. AND protect each other. So it’s not as cut and dry as you think.
Also, dogs and humans are both nomadic by nature. So as long as the human is caring for the dog, just the act of moving around (in a pack, as it were) isn’t in itself a bad thing.
But in a city like halifax? No excuse whatsoever. I saw a guy with a PUREBRED husky PUPPY bumming one day. I stopped and asked him about his dog and he said “Yeah she’s purebred. I got her about two months ago.”
I said “hm.. aren’t they very expensive”
He just stared at me.
I told him he was an ass. And that he better give 100% of everything he doesn’t eat to that dog.
Meaty, do you think that animal is receiving adequate vet care?
I agree with what meaty says in every other way however. I mean let’s face it. How many professionals crate their dogs for 8 hours while they’re at work? Homeless people aren’t doing this from what i can tell.
what is best for the dog? to live as a dog should live, outside and 24/7 with his ‘pack’? or given a 15 minute tug down the sidewalk each morning before being crated all day?
there are all sorts of variations on a good life for a dog. to be with their person most of the time is the best for the dog, whether that person has the money for advanced cancer treatment or not.
my vote is for the homeless people who love their dogs. and yeah, I know there are idiots who get a dog as prop. look at that florida politician who used his rescued dog during the campaign then dumped him.
The dogs are protection as well
You can be homeless and still have a job. Does this change your opinion OB?
Also, a lot of the hobo’s make more in a day then the people that are handing them change.
Eat the dog before you ask me to give you money for a meal…or your booze..or drugs..or dog food.
Yes Batty, I imagine they get quality vet care from veterinarians. I would hedge a guess the animals can’t go to drop-in clinics…
While I realize every situation is different, for the most part I agree with this bitch. I know many people on the streets would feed their animal before them selves and would give the dog the best most loved life they can. However the problem arises when we look at the persons ability to get the dogs shots, fixed and medical attention for an injury or illness that may come up.
Looking after a pet is more than just feeding it. As missjlneary noted about medical attention!
I take my cat to the vet every year no matter how bad of a pissy fit she takes. I want to give her the best care. What happens if a homeless person’s pet gets sick? How can they afford proper treatment? What happens to the pet then?
I understand companionship. But without proper care of an animal you deprive it of the quality of life.
It’s called compassion.
senor, yes, always, but there are far more dogs than there are willing adopters. and there are many dogs being dumped by the unworthy. if a homeless person takes one of these dogs under his/her wing that dog will have a better life than dumped, given away for ‘free’ to a dog fight ring, a lab, a breeder or a psycho.
there are many levels of care for both human and animal. from the dog’s point of view what is the prime need? food & companionship. the dog does not know or care if his life cannot be extended by medical care. if he has fleas, a good dunk in the lake will free him of them. no cost. and better in the long run that spreading costly poison on his skin.
the sometimes extraordinary medical lengths we go to with our beloved pets is more for ourselves, we cannot bear to lose them. my dogs get the best of everything I can provide, but I know that the most important thing that I give them, from THEIR perspective, is my presence.
Well again, what makes you think that because they are “homeless” that they don’t/can’t provide for themselves, including vet care for their pets?
Prove they do, yo. Someone who claims to be in need of money is also making an equal claim that they are trying to make ends meet and somehow failing.
Otherwise, they’re scamming. Got money to maintain vet health? You’re doing ok.
Vets are expensive.
That’s their tactic for pity. That and the ol’ hide the shoes behind the sign, bit.
It sounds like you’ve not experienced hardship in Life, Batty and therefore aren’t as resourceful as those who have/are.
Now, stop with your nonsense. I told you many times before: I’m gay; you can’t fuck me.