05/26/2025
**Memorial Day**
Memorial Day is a day when we honor the men and women who have served our country. One important way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives is to help and acknowledge the veterans who are still with us.
Today, we want to share a story that is close to home and really pulls at our heartstrings. Back in November, we met a man sitting outside our local food pantry with his dog. Curious if he needed help, we asked him, “Do you need assistance with food for your dog or anything else?” He did. We talked for a while, and then we went home—where we run a non-profit animal rescue—and gathered food, toys, a bed, and more for him. There were so many items that he couldn’t walk home with all of them, so we offered him a ride. Once we arrived, we realized he was homeless, which brought us to tears.
We also asked if he needed help getting his dog, Buddy, fixed and vetted. We made an appointment at our partnering vet and got that taken care of for him. When we asked if he needed anything else for himself, he hesitated but eventually shared that he needed a few things. Later that morning, we got him a cooler, warm winter boots, and a prong collar for Buddy—those were all he asked for. Knowing he was living outside, we tried to think of what else he might need. We got him a mattress topper so he wasn’t directly lying on the ground or on the cardboard he was sleeping on in his tent. It was big enough for him and Buddy to snuggle together during the cold nights. We also provided lights, sanitary items, a cell phone, and eventually a job opportunity, which he knew nothing about.
Not only did we take a chance on him, but so did his place of employment. He had no idea what we were bringing him but was so appreciative that he welled up with tears. We invited him to our home for dinner to learn more about his story. It turned out that he is a veteran. We have continued to help him as much as we can, addressing his needs as they arise. During the extremely cold winter nights, we worried about him and Buddy freezing, especially when we called, and his phone—a gift from us—wouldn’t operate due to the cold. We couldn’t bear the thought of that, so whenever it got frigid, we put him and Buddy in a hotel.
Dave and Buddy need a home, and that’s where you come in! We all have a story, and at any moment, we could find ourselves in the same situation. Remember, the homeless are someone's friend, father, mother, brother, sister, husband, or wife. Just like you, they come from a family and have one. So, the next time you look past someone in need, try to picture a loved one in their position. Maybe you can take a moment to give the next homeless person a little of your time and ask them their story—like we did. You may be surprised. We certainly were.
The rise in homelessness is at an all-time high. The calls we receive daily from people wanting to surrender their pets because they’ve lost their homes are frequent and heartbreaking. Dave refuses to give up his dog. Running an animal rescue, we can appreciate this more than anything, given what we do for so many homeless pets.
Dave is a veteran, and as of now, he has found three options that are not suitable for them long-term: he can get on a Section 8 waiting list (which has a 3-5 year wait), put himself in a hotel for two weeks, or go to a shelter where he cannot take his dog, leaving him without a ride to work—which is a two-hour walk for him.
There are many obstacles to overcome, primarily getting all of his credentials back in order after not using them for so long. There's a lack of programs available, and most importantly, he does not have a physical address to list for anything.
There’s a quote we use in reference to the dogs, but it applies to people as well: “You may not be able to change the world, but for that one person, their world has changed.”
**PLEASE HELP US CHANGE DAVE AND BUDDY’S LIFE!**
Memorial day is a day where we honor the men and women who have served our countr… Jennifer Salatin needs your support for Help Dave and Buddy get a Home
