This has nothing to do with anything, but,...

[ryleysmom]

Ok I know this is something that might be ridiculous to others but it really bothered me and I want to get it off my chest!!
Why is it that if you cant take care of yourself i.e. have a place to lay your head, money to put food in your tummy, bad hygine becouse you have no money to take care of yourself, and becouse of all the above you cant get a job, that will give you money. (ok I will stop now)
Why do these type of people think that they can somehow take care of a DOG if they cant take care of themselves..
There is one man and his dog that I see everyday at the on ramp to Scholls Ferry off hwy 217, the other day I saw him and did something I NEVER do and gave him a couple of dollars, (knowing darn good and well he probually bought beer or smokes) I think it was becouse I saw this poor dog all wet and and skinny and felt a soft spot in my heart! (as im the biggest animal lover) I want to kidnap his dog from him as he deserves much better! The dog did not ask for this kind of life!

Thank you all for listening! Fisherlady76

[lost_sailor]

Then again you know that the dog is the best friend, and possibly the only friend that the guy has...

[STGRule]

Instead of money, keep a couple of dog food samples or small bags of food in the car with you. You can pick up a couple at the Sportmans Show if you're going. That will help your soul and will help the dog. [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

[ryleysmom]

Lost_sailor: You are right that is probually his only friend and best friend.

STGRule: What a great idea.. Thank you for the advise, I would much rather give his dog the dog food then give him money and know that it is going towards beer, smokes, etc.. And on second thought if he gets real hungry himself he can have at least some dog food to put in his tummy , as sick as that might seem, who knows what a man will eat when they get really hungry !!!

Thanks agian everyone for listening to me rant and rave!

[The Fishing Geek]

Homeless people know that if they have a dog with them that they will make more in donations. It's widely known in the panhandling circles.

Similarly, it is also known that they will get a LOT more if they have children with them.

[justdave]

There has been a guy living in the city park in Wilsonville for an awfully long time (10 years?) with his dog. The guy would ride his bike all over every day finding cans with the dog right behind. I know this guy would always feed the dog before himself. Well now days, the dog doesn;t get around so good. So he's got a cart behind the bike the dog rides in. The kids have grown up around him, know his name and the dogs, and he pretty much just keeps to himself. It unfortunate, but I think some people just are happier living this way. It's not my choice though and hope I'm never in that position.

[ryleysmom]

Funny you should say something about if they have children with them, because there was this family about 2 years agothat would always stand on the side of 185th and walker road next to the Albertsons and they had there 2 kids with them and they would stand on the road and beg for money! One day I saw the 4 of them begging and they went to take a brake and guess were they went? To there CAR and they were lighting there smokes and they just so happen to be name brand Marlboro's! So I guess that goes to show ya!

[1pump]

Like Geek says, just because you're panhandling it doesn't mean you're no good at marketing.

[Snapset]

This is in kind of a different vein, but by my value system, it really doesn't matter what the guy would use the money for. I like to think it would be helping to get him back on his feet, but the personal benefit to the giver (me) is the same. I wholeheartedly agree with tailoring the gift to what you persaonally feel would help the most. Sometimes that is not possible, though.

I drive away feeling a little better. Same way when I give blood. I know that a lot of the blood doesn't get used, but that is not my concern. If once in a while, it does some good, I get to walk away feeling like I hel;ped out a bit.

[Thumper]

A few years ago The Oregonian had a feature on panhandlers who work the freeway exits. They do pretty well. One reported an income of over $35,000, tax-free I assume. Dogs, women and kids increase that amount significantly. Hmmmmm

[sinker]

Everytime I've seen one of these guys with their dogs, that dog is following them everywhere. I'm sure that man shows more love to that dog in one month than 99% of the dog owners ever will in their whole life.
That dog is with his master all the time, it's not shut in a kennel in the backyard waiting for hunting season to come around, or waiting until it hears a noise so it can start barking and wake the whole neighborhood up.
I don't care for dogs or dog people much, but I do like seeing these guys with their companions.

[TundraIII]

Hey Sinker I'd watch your comments on dogs and "dog people". This is the wrong
board to be knockin dog lovers, geez. As far as handing money to beggers at intersections, NEVER EVER EVER. I used to see this lady when I was living in Portland, she would stand out at an intersection with her two young children. Her Big Gulp cups and burger bags hidden behind a post. I would see them in all weather conditions doing her begging with a cigarette in her mouth. Absolutely disgusting and those kids should have been taken away from her. Those dollar bills kept her out there with those little kids and I sure as heck wasnt going to contribute to her raising those kids on a dirty intersection.

[CATCH AND EAT]

I am not a uncaring person however I will never give money or even food to these freeway bandits.

My wife on her way to work one day was stopped at a red light at the stark street off ramp. Beggar with the o'l "Hungry,God Bless" sign. She felt sorry for him and decided to give him her sandwich she had made for lunch. Ham and cheese with no mayo or musturd. Just a dry presentation. "Gee thank you lady" he said as she drove off. Two hours later she returned to the same ramp. Bum was gone but guess what? The sandwich was still there! The compassion she had was turned to anger. Not only had the guy ignored her gift he just left it there as litter. No more donations from that gal. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Don't encourage these folks. They make a lot of money off of unsuspecting folks out there. They work in teams and rip off the public.

As to those that choose to live the homeless life that is their business. It fits into their comfort zone. Their is a lot of help available to those folks that choose to seek it.

Growing up as a PK I saw a lot of con artists stop by the church begging for money. "my steering is going out and I need $100 to fix it" was my favorite line. I went out to look at the car with my dad and asked the gentleman to open the hood of his ford wagon. I checked the steering wheel and it had a massive amount of play in it. I then went back under the hood and noticed that the sinching nut around the adjuster screw to the steering box had been loosened and backed off. I tightened the screw one turn and then tightened the nut. They guy was not at all happy but his steering worked great.

BTW, we were in Yuba City CA at the time. This guy said they needed to get back home to Redding CA. No real luggage in the car and his license plate frames read "Marysville Ford" which was just accross the bridge from Yuba City. :shocked:

[FallRiverGuy]

I don't beleive that everyone out on the street is a con. I have plenty to meet my needs and then some, which is not a lot, but enough. I never give money but will freely give food.

[rojo]

Many years ago in Buckeye Arizona there was a guy that used to buy Alpo to eat with the potatoes he could get....buy dry .....Roger

[CATCH AND EAT]

Okay Fisherlady 76, we agree about the bums that choose to be bums. I too feel sorry for the dogs that are attached to them. I do think that most of those dogs eat better than there owners though.

I have a friend that lives near my shop. He has a Rotweiller that is a really cool dog. They live in his van and do just about everything together. I have given Dan (the dogs owner) jobs, advice, help ect... but his love of booze is to strong. His dog comes first. It eats 1st and if Dan has enough money he goes and gets something to eat and of course a bottle for additional comfort.

We have tried everything with him but he just has'nt completely hit bottom yet. He has been this way for 5 or 6 years. Dreams? sure he does. Just no will power or want of help. He's 46 years old and through booze he chooses to be a bum. :depressed:

[ryleysmom]

Thundra~ I agree with you 100%!!

Now for those of you that are saying he chose that life style I have a issue with, YES HE did but his dear little doggy friend did not chose the lifestyle of sitting in the rain (mind you ALL the time), eating soggy dog food, ETC. ETC.
I could care less about the BUM, if he really wanted help he would go down to Mcdonalds or Burger King and apply for a job or Gas station for that matter, but they dont care enough about themselves or there DOG to go get help or get a job! They would rather be BEGGERS!!

Sinker~ I think that you should be a little more careful how/what you say as, this site is probualy 85% dog lovers, I know that is your opinion and you have a right to it but........................ALOT of people here love DOGS and other animals for that matter!

This lady will no longer give out money to them (BEGGERS) if anything I will give them food or give there dog a sample of doggy food!!

[ 01-23-2003, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: fisherlady76 ]

[sinker]

I realize how many people on here are dog owners. Telling me to be careful are we????

I have no problem with stating the facts. The majority of large dog owners in this country have no business owning a large dog. period.

They don't give them enough room to exercise on. They're to busy with work and church and kids activities to spend time with this dog that they supposedly love.

I didn't know it would hit so close to home there. You talk about how mean he is to this poor dog. Keeping him out in the rain and giving him soggy dog food. Well this dog could be like his coyote and wolf cousins and live his whole life in the snow and rain having to hunt for food.

If this dog didn't love the guy (due to the guy loving the dog so much) the dog would take off on his own.

The dogs follow these people around for a reason. Because they LOVE THEM!!!

[sinker]

CATCH AND EAT,
about your friend hitting bottom, you hit the nail on the head with that statement. Every person that is that dependant has to hit bottom before changing their ways.

For some people it's living in a van, or losing their spouse. For others its when they've drank themselves to death. Although the latter is pretty rare. It's tough but all you can do is hope that he hits his bottom soon and the consequences aren't to harsh.

Whenever they hit bottom and change their ways though the payoff is tremendous!!!!

[CAGEY]

I think the guy was actually ol Waterdog trying to get some bait and beer money. :tongue:

[WaterDog]

So what are saying Ken? I havent hit bottom yet? At least I didnt have to go around and shakedown these folks for coffee and doughnuts. :tongue: