09/18/2026
A look back… I wanted to share. ♥️
God doesn’t make mistakes. I did something today that I’ve never done... I picked up a homeless stranger and his dog.
I was on my way to a doctors appointment and as I drove, out of the corner of my eye, I caught glimpse of a beautiful Basset Hound. He was dragging his leash behind him and very slowly following a man that was a good 20 feet in front of him. It was blazing hot and storm clouds were brewing. I didn’t think twice... I turned the truck around and pulled into the parking lot they were crossing.
I got out and spoke to the man and asked if I could love on his dog. He was homeless, I could see, and I couldn’t help but ask more questions. “Those poor little short legs, God love him, I bet he’s tired.” I said to the man. I offered to give him water but the man said he had some. He had food, I could see it on the top of his rolling cart. “How about an ice cube?”, and I reached into the truck and grabbed my mug. He told me he loved ice cubes and I attempted to give him one. He spit it out and I had to laugh. Guess he wasn’t too hot after all. But, I knew he was exhausted.
With the threat of storms overhead, and after brief conversation, I told the man who was looking for a tent camp site that I wanted to help him find a place to stay for the night. Because I was very short on time, I told him to get in the truck and I was going to drop him at our store and come back and get him after my appointment. He couldn’t have thanked me more and he asked me if I wanted him to get in the back. “No, sit up front in the ac.” I opened the back door of the truck and Sargent Snickers, with help from his owner, hopped on in. You could tell he was well cared for and that he loved his dad.
I didn’t know what I was going to do with this man and this dog, but I knew I wasn’t going to let them walk another block while I drove on by. I took them to Enchanted Memories and I know Brenda thought I had absolutely lost my mind when I told her that he and Sargent Snickers was going to sit behind the counter with her until I got back from seeing the doctor.
When I returned, I picked them up and attempted to find a motel room for the night. NO PETS was posted on the marquee of the first two I pulled in to. What a shame. The next one advertised PETS WELCOME. But, when I pulled up to the door, the sign read, “No Vacancy.” Along the way, we chatted about where he was from, where he had been, and where he was going.
I headed back downtown, to continue my search, to a small motel that we pass every morning on the way to work. Mike and I let the short guy out of the truck and he and I went inside. The man looked at us and in a very hateful tone, told us to leave. Snickers was waiting outside the door and the minute we opened the door to leave, the man yelled, “Get that damn dog out of here! NOW!” “God bless you, Sir.” I said as I turned to leave. What a shame.
“What am I going to do now?”, I thought, here I am with this strange, traveling man and his dog, with no where to go. We headed back to Country Music Blvd as it was the only thing I knew to do. I drove, we chatted, and he seemed to try to explain his lifestyle to me. I told him he didn’t have to explain, we all lead different lives. He told me that he doesn’t like homeless people, and those who beg and ask for something for nothing. I could tell that he wasn’t the type to ask for anything, and he didn’t. He told me he was just a traveling gypsy, and that, he seemed to be content with. I knew at this moment, on this afternoon, I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
We found a motel with a nice older lady behind the counter. She told us that dogs were welcome there and I told her I would like a room for Mike for two nights. By this time it was after 6:00 and I knew these two souls needed to truly rest.
Mike, and Sargent Snickers could not have been more appreciative. He offered to give me the only 20.00 he had in his pocket. He offered to give me some of his handmade jewelry, he offered to mow or landscape our yard. I told him he owed me nothing.
I gave him my phone number and I told him to call me if he needed me. I know that tonight he will have a shower, a bed, and even a dip on the pool. I know, too, that Sargent Snickers will be off of his short little legs and, he too, will rest.
I’m not writing this post for people to judge my decision to help these two lives. I’m writing this post so that the next time you see a homeless man or woman, you take a minute to think about THEM, about their life, and about what you might be able to do to just ‘BE KIND’. Even if all you are lead to do is say a prayer for them. Do not judge them, you know not the path they walk. God doesn’t make mistakes, my friends, and He led me to this on this September afternoon.
