This week I was totally shocked when I read in Margaret's usually funny blog, STRAIGHT UP NO CHASER , about the 90 year old woman in Seattle who walked 3 miles in the snow to get her Covid vaccine. It was too snowy to drive so not wanting to miss her appointment, she gathered up her hiking poles and walked the 3 miles to get her shot. All this on her new hip from last year.
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After getting her shot, she then walked the 3 miles back home. I was quite shocked that no one offered her a ride home though in their defense, she does not look 90 and certainly looks fit. Still come on folks. I admire her courage and grit but really wonder at those who let her walk back those 3 miles in the snow. I would have offered a teenager a ride.
Then Wednesday I heard another story, this one really broke my heart. A man was found dead in Little Rock, lying on his back on the sidewalk with his little Chihuahua mix dog lying on his chest. The man was homeless, living in his truck without heat in this brutal cold. He was probably walking his dog when he collapsed. What makes this so sad for me is that Little Rock does have warming centers for the homeless but they do not allow pets.
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Look at that face. It appears the little dog's name is Boris and he is in foster care for now but is mourning the loss of his owner.
In Florida we had and probably still have the rule that pets are not allowed in hurricane shelters. Some do allow pets but most do not unless they are service animals. There ought to be arrangements made since many people will not evacuate when danger is near. They refuse to leave their pets thus putting their own lives in danger.
I hope in Little Rock, this poor man's fate will be looked at carefully. Perhaps it will encourage a change that will let the homeless bring their pets with them into the warming shelters.
I want to believe we are better than this, don't you?
I'm afraid we aren't better than this. It is most heartbreaking about the man and his dog. We are grieving the loss of a dog at my house. I can understand why someone would have been in this man's situation.
ReplyDeleteAnn,
DeleteMe too. There was no way he was going to leave that dog in the cold and I once heard that a huge percent of Americans are 3 paychecks away from homelessness.
It does make you wonder how the media got the story about the woman walking and yet no one gave her a ride home? She could have ended up like the homeless man, fallen on ice and not be able to get back up.
ReplyDeleteMore heart breaking stories are going to come out before this cold snap is just a bad memory.
Jean,
DeleteI am so sad that you are quite right. We will learn as time goes on just what all went on. But I like to think we will also hear wonderful stories of how stranger stood up to help stranger.
Wow! I read Fran’s story; I think she’s one remarkable lady, but what if something had happened along the way? This reminds me of all the stories of people having to travel miles out of the way to vote. It’s the 21st century, it shouldn’t be this hard! The story of that man with his little dog on his chest hurts my throat... we can’t use a little common sense here at least? His dog was tiny. They should also consider that sick & depressed people do so much better when dogs & cats are brought into various hospital wards. C’mon people...
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteI know, both of these stories did not have to happen. We need to and I believe we can do much better. I plan to bug a congressman or two.
Agreed! That poor man and the poor dog who is now alone. We don't treat humans well at all!!
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteSomehow I think that adorable little dog will have tons of offers for homes but he was devoted to that man and his healing will be hard. People said they went everywhere together.
That is such a sad story about the man and his dog. I think we have it in us to be better than this, but we tend not to rise to the occasion.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteAs sad as this is, there are also good things coming out of that storm that warm the heart. Like Mattress Mack in Houston who opened his stores to anyone without power--even the homeless. Too bad there wasn't such a kind soul in Little Rock.
That woman does not look 90 at all. How brave of her to walk 3 miles to and from the vaccination center. As for the homeless man, that is so sad.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteI was impressed how young she looked. I look like I am in my late nineties myself:)
I'd seen the story about the woman walking to and from to get her vaccine on Twitter. Apparently we're not better than this based on some of the comments. Instead of applauding her efforts, some Covidiots were calling her a sheep and a loser for even getting the vaccine.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard the story of the homeless man in Little Rock. This winter's weather has been difficult for so many. I hope his pup finds a loving home.
Take care, stay well.
Eileen,
DeleteI just don't understand those Covidiots. What jerks they are.
I am pretty sure that little dog will have tons of offers for a home. Hope he gets over the loss of the man he was greatly attached to.
After seeing that a president like Trump and a few earlier ones behave with less care how can one expect better except from the exceptional people and not the norm?
ReplyDeleteHeidrun,
DeleteI do believe he has a lot to do with encouraging the "don't care" attitude. Hopefully that will change.
I think we should be better. So little compassion and it seems so much me first.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteI do believe most of us care but the ones that don't really give the rest of us black eyes.
Yep, it's a primate-eats-primate world out there. That's evolution.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeletePerhaps it is time for change. I am ready.
I don't think she asked or I'm sure someone would have offered her a ride. She sounds like an independent person. People aren't out driving much on the hills of Seattle when it's snowy. The smart ones aren't anyway. In many areas, the buses can't even run. That is very sad about the man and his dog. I didn't realize that shelters didn't allow pets. I understand it, but it does create some dilemmas.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteShe sounds pretty independant so I'm pretty sure she didn't ask. Still, someone could have offered. Some places do provide for pets, Little Rock just isn't one of them.
That 90 yo probably does not need the vaccine, she looks like she could kick Covid's viral butt.
ReplyDeleteGood point about the pets they should be allowed and caged only if unruly.
joeh,
DeleteShe certainly looks capable of the walk and kicking butt:)) There have been cases of people not evacuating due to pets and it has cost them.
With our warming centers the humane society housed the pets for free (food, water, shelter).
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteYES--that is how it is done. Good job Texas.
As the ninety-year old's daughter said, "We are outdoor people." Some folk (like myself) have an independent streak and would rather walk than ask for a lift. Even a snowy six-mile round hike. Sad about the homeless man with the little dog. Warming centres should provide a spot for pets with collapsible cages on standby. Perhaps the local shelter learned from this tragic event.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteMe too on being independent but I have often accepted help gratefully when offered. She might not have and probably took pride in the fact that she could accomplish such a feat.
I am all for pet friendly warming centers. I really hope they learned from that tragic death.
Yes, we are better than this. But also these two folks could have found a ride or a motel room. That's so sad.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteYes it is. I'm sure if she had asked she could have gotten a ride. Just wondered why it wasn't offered. Pretty sure the homeless guy couldn't afford a motel.
Man that is some sad stuff. I remember during Hurricane Katrina all the people that showed up with the pets and the pets were not allowed to get on the buses.
ReplyDeleteBarbare,
DeleteI remember that and was heartbroken at the time. I probably would not have gotten on the bus and would have hoped I could tread water for hours.
I totally agree! I would not leave my pets. I can’t believe there aren’t more elderly in the same situation but just don’t get the vaccine. There’s so many heart wrenching stories lately. Especially coming out of Texas. What happened to neighbors helping neighbors?
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteI agree with you. I would not leave my pet in the cold.
I am sure there are many elderly without transportation and who cannot walk 6 miles for a shot. I can still drive but even so, my neighbor constantly checks on me and I hope there is more of that going around. We need to care.
I'd heard of a man dying on the news here in Australia, they mentioned his dog on his chest. I had no idea he wasn't allowed to hive his little dog in a shelter, I'm not sure of the ruling here either, but it seems a shame. I could understand big vicious dogs not being allowed, but tiny chihuahuas should be.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteI had no idea the story made it all the way to Australia. Some places do allow pets and they are to be lauded. It is so important, especially to the elderly.
Yes, we can do better. I could not imagine watching a 90-year old woman leave a building knowing she is walking 3-miles home without helping.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteThat amazed me also. I would offer a ride to anyone on foot be they were a teenager or elderly. Mind Boggling.
I have lived in this area for 15 years so I am still a newcomer. This snow has been horrible and I cannot get out and shovel it because of my heart. I have wondered since Ron died if anyone would ever offer to help me. This week a neighbor came up and shoveled me a walk to the barn. I wanted to cry because I was so happy.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteThank you. That story absolutely warmed my heart. Yep, there are some super nice folks out there and thankfully you have one close by.
Sad stories --but for every sad story here in our country, there's a HAPPY and CARING one. BUT---our negative media seldom reports the good stories... Just this week I did read about someone rescuing a horse stuck in the frigid waters in TX.... Heroic act for that man to go into the water himself --but the horse was rescued... I read about these stories a lot --but seldom on NBC, CBS or ABC --and especially not on cable news... Mostly ALL negative stuff on there. That in itself is DEPRESSING...
ReplyDeleteHope you are well --and got through that horrible icy/snowy week last week. We were supposed to be at Mt. Nebo last week but of course, had to cancel...
Hugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteGlad you didn't come to Mt. Nebo last week. It was ugly here.
Know what you mean. That is why I watch ABC news for they end each newscast with a feel good story. We need those.
I will have to go read about the 90 yo woman who I hope will be ME when I get to that age. Makes me feeling bad about getting close to 80 look up to her. And that poor man and his dog. I hadn't heard that sad story.
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteYou are the first person I thought of when I read her story. I could just see Djan doing the same thing with no hesitation. You go girl.
Dear Patti, thank you for posting links to both stories. I read them both and felt such sadness for Burris and such awe at the daughter's explanation of her mom's intrepid walk to get the shot. All this surely puts my piddly woes in perspective. Thanks so much for sharing. Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee,
DeleteGlad you read those stories. Wasn't that lady awesome. I couldn't have done that and I am 10 years younger than she. What a woman. The Burris story really broke my heart.
My guess is that most of us are better than this, but the media will pick up the stories that attract attention. Let's just keep doing what we're doing, being better than this.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteI really think most of us are better than that. I know you have done more than your share giving back.
I like stories about determination and that lady sure had it! I often walk 6 miles in snow, but I'm only 76, not 90. She actually might not have wanted a ride from a stranger since she has probably been isolating. I like what her daughter said,"She’s someone who looks for solutions, not problems." I couldn't open the doggy link, but that sure is a sweet, melancholy face.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteSorry about that. Think I fixed the doggy link.
Duh! You know I never gave Covid a thought and that could have kept her from asking. She really is an amazing women.
Oh Patty, that is just so sad about the man & his dog! I don't understand why pets aren't allowed in warming centers. Wowed by the 90 year old woman walking three miles to get her shot. can you believe it was in the 70's today? This weather is just crazy.
ReplyDeleteTerri,
DeleteThat sweet, but sad face sure touched me. Maybe this will get people thinking and change the rules.
I know, I actually turned on the A/C for a bit last night to cool the house down for sleeping. You are right--crazy weather.
That woman really does look good for ninety.
ReplyDeleteThat is a shame about that homeless man and his dog.
Joared,
DeleteShe would look good for 65:) She obviously has taken care of her self and remained in great shape for her age.
That poor man and his sweet dog really touched me.
Oh Patti ... I pray that we are better than so many people that we see today. All I have to do is look at how Trump has/is completely ruining the GOP. I have never believed in their basic philosophy but have had a regard for many in their ranks. Now the major part of the party does nothing but lie and run scared. We have got to get some decency back in our country ... Biden is a start but we all have to be part of a change for the better.
ReplyDeleteWe heard about that Seattle woman even here in Hawaii. It absolutely blows you away that she was able to do this.
ReplyDeleteAs for that poor homeless man... What can I say? I'm surprised the homeless shelters don't allow any pets. It's rather frightening to hear the stories of the thoughtlessness that is found too often in our country right now.
And... of course, I'm seeing the horrible violence against all Asian Americans now. It's scary. I'm just glad I live in Hawaii and wish my children did too. (I'm sorry I'm posting this twice. I just saw an error message.)
It all outrageous. I'm still waiting for my first shot at eighty.:(
ReplyDelete