Well, its the cold season here, which means all the temporary day laborers are out of work and begging. My point is more specific.

Most of these folks have dogs, and the dogs are suffering along with the owners. During cold weather, I will generally hand a quart Ziploc bag of dog food to the beggars. Normally they smile and say thanks. Today I had one call me a prick and throw the food back in my Jeep, and there is my question:

Am I a complete asshole for honestly caring more about the dog than the owner? The beggar can get a job, get his shit together, get off the dope. The dog is kind of stuck. I'm just curious.

Posted by Jonsered Am I a complete asshole for honestly caring more about the dog than the owner? The beggar can get a job, get his shit together, get off the dope. The dog is kind of stuck. I'm just curious.

Apparently they don't think so, but I see your logic. Some for both would be nice, but seriously, if I was homeless, I think I would take my pet to a shelter, where they have a better chance. I couldn't bear to give up my dogs, but I'd do it to keep them from starving.

Now that I think of it, if one was homeless and then got a job, even temporary, what would you do with your pet? And homeless shelters don't allow them, AFAIK. Just more reasons to take pets to shelters in that case.

Maybe he thought you were giving that to him for him to consume? It's kind of a niche thing so if you ask first, you might get a more specific answer?

Posted by splumer Apparently they don't think so, but I see your logic. Some for both would be nice, but seriously, if I was homeless, I think I would take my pet to a shelter, where they have a better chance. I couldn't bear to give up my dogs, but I'd do it to keep them from starving. Now that I think of it, if one was homeless and then got a job, even temporary, what would you do with your pet? And homeless shelters don't allow them, AFAIK. Just more reasons to take pets to shelters in that case.

They are probably afraid their pet will be euthanized if surrendered to a shelter. Even "no kill" shelters do it.
I saw a homeless woman with a cat in front of Safeway. I couldn't buy her catfood but I opened mine and poured her a big bag of it. She was verrrrrry grateful.
Clyde will bring petfood, sodas and burritos to the homeless camp near the creek. They are nice too.
Maybe you just ran across one of the homeless people that use pets as gimmicks. They lend out pets to other homeless friends to make more money.

Posted by Steed Maybe he thought you were giving that to him for him to consume?

I was thinking that myself.