August 9, 2004

• A true thought brewing in my head, one which I'd really like to expand on.  But I have no time right now to write.  Tonight, possibly.  And most likely in a ***PP***.  In the meantime, here's one really good piece of work that I'd like to recycle and add to my list of Retired Posts.  Enjoy this re-run.

  
  

  [originally posted February 6, 2004]

  
  

  I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy but they're definitely dirty. But, a dog's got personality. Personality goes a long way. ~ Pulp Fiction

  
  

  There are instances in your lifetime when you know that you had made a difference in a person's life.  And not just in that one person's life, but also in the one he treasures most.  

  
  

  One particular cold night I wanted to buy some groceries.  As I was walking into a store in my neighborhood, my eyes caught a homeless man begging passers-by for money.  Over four years I've worked in downtown Los Angeles, so I see many homeless people out and about.  Usually I don't acknowledge them and casually walk by without making eye contact.  I've become desensitized to their appeals for loose change.

  
  

  But this night, something caught my attention.  No, it wasn't the beggar holding out the empty McDonald's cup in his right hand.  It was the companion that was by his side.  His dogg.  Half German Shepherd, half wolf, half I-dunno-what.  It was huge.  On its hind legs, it probably could tower over me by a good two feet.  I bet it could breath fire if it wanted to.  A mighty creature.

  
  

  Yet mighty humble. 

  
  

  Underneath that heavy fur, I can tell it was skinny as a rail.  Probably hadn't eaten a full meal in days.  While its master continued pestering others for a quarter, a dime, a penny for God's sake, the dogg looked right at me.  Ears pulled back in despondency.  When our eyes made contact, I nearly broke.

  
  

  It took me a half an hour to finish my grocery shopping.  I rushed through the aisles, hoping that the beggar and his dogg would still be there when I exited.  Paid the cashier and quickly pushed my cart outside, not even making sure she gave me the right change.  But I didn't care.  Something else was on my mind.

  
  

  Still outside, it was just the two of them now.  Beggar and his dogg.  Nearly closing time, there were no more shoppers entering the store.

  
  

  "Excuse me sir," I said as I approached Homeless Man.  He stood, as did his pet.
  "Good evening," he replied.
  "This is for you."  I gave him whatever change the cashier gave to me.
  "Thank you, sir.  And God bless you."
  I reached into my cart and gave him a plastic grocery bag.  "And this is for your dogg."

  
  

  Surprised, the homeless man took the bag and browsed its contents.  Two cans of dogg food.  A can opener.  A bag of doggy biscuits.  And a new bright red collar.

  
  

  Homeless Man looked at me, his swelling eyes said everything I needed to know.  Yet he still spoke: "Oh my God.  Thank you, sir.  Thank you so much!"  The dogg seemed to understand too.  It gave me the same grateful look as its master, supplemented by the wide-swinging wag of its tail.

  
  

  Not knowing how to end the encounter, I simply said the first thing that came to mind:  "My name's Rob."

  
  

  "His name is Jake," replied Homeless Man, referring to his dogg.  And we parted ways, wondering if we'd ever see each other again.

  
  

  'Til next time,
  G-Dogg

  • 12:01 pm
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