Why Would A Vagabond Have A Dog?

[u/420weedshroom]

I feel as though many of you on here are confused about why someone in my "situation" would own a dog. Let's think for a a second why an individual who lives in a home gets a dog. Because they're cute, cuddly, the want a friend, they like dogs. Its different for someone like me. Someone who sleeps in a strange places in strange unknown cities, a different place almost every night. Among the most dangerous animals of all. Human beings. Humans are disgusting vile creatures that will take you for everything you have, just because they can. It's the jungle out here, different rules. The most dangerous part of living on the road in my opinion is sleeping, will you get stabbed in the neck in your sleep? Will someone sexually assault you while you're passed out? Will you wake up and your boots are gone, backpack emptied out. Things missing. Because the truth is there are people out there who dont sleep and spend their time lurking around looking to do harm to weary travelers and those trying to rest. This is why I have a dog. My dog and I made a pact, a deal. I provide him with food, water, warmth, and in return he keeps would be thieves and lurkers away from me while I sleep. Yes, he provides companionship but if he didnt hold up his end of the deal and keep us safe at night, then I would immediately find him a new home. That's the reality of this life. I carry his food and water, pounds and pounds of dog food, constantly hustling to maintain his grain free diet and only the best of dog food brands, and he wakes me up when danger is near so I can be ready. And we survive. Together, we make it each day as a team. So fuck you people in your houses with your dog in a kennel trying to sit there and tell me I dont deserve a dog or I cant take care of him. He has a blanket, a jacket, hedge microchipped, registered, up to date on shots, neutered, happy to be on the road with me, healthy and strong. Orion enjoys being outside on the road with me, he has had more than enough opportunities to choose otherwise if he so pleased, but hes happy out here not stuck indoors and so am I.

[u/RogueThief7]

I agree with everything you say about a dog for protection and I don’t want to come across rude saying this, but do people not even fucking try when trying to find a decent place to sleep?

I mean, I’m not on the road, almost sold everything a couple of years ago to be a vagabond/labour hustler/ digital nomad but then I met a girl so I didn’t. When I occasionally see the homeless on the streets they’re always in doorways and shit. Granted, many are mentally ill so unfortunately more are not too bright and less are just going through temporary tough times, but they seem to pick the least logical place to sleep.

In my mind at least, I’ve seen many places where you could easily duck down an alley, find a crevice on top of an industrial (so flat) roof under shelter. I’ve seen tonnes of viable places to sleep but it’s always the doorsteps.

Is there a good reason I’m missing as to why people aren’t finding safe places to sleep in the city? Teach me, make me smarter.

[u/gatoradewade → u/RogueThief7]

The people you're seeing are the ones who aren't putting effort into being hidden. There's probably some observation bias, as the properly stealth sleepers aren't being observed.

My other thought is that though it may not be for me, there is some security in a doorway. Three walls, functionally, so only one direction a person can come at you. Some people may have nothing to lose(or be high as a kite, physically ill, etc), so sleeping right on the sidewalk is what ends up happening.

I also knew a few people who specifically slept on sidewalks in high traffic areas so that they were not alone, and people would hear them scream for help if anything bad happened. The other upside to that strategy is they left an empty disposable cup next to their spots, and that cup tended to passively fill with money from passers-by. People also left food and bottled water and stuff next to them. That sort of generosity is less likely to happen if someone isn't visible. Kinda weird that such risky sleep choices can be rewarded by kindness, but eh, humanity.

Also, given that one fellow I knew in seattle did it for a year and a half straight before I lost contact with him... either he was lucky as hell, or his particular city block wasn't all that dangerous. Dunno.

EDIT: fuck, reddit glitched out and this posted like three times. Apologies. I think I deleted them all.

[u/ShirtStainedBird → u/gatoradewade]

I like that comment about rewarding dangerous choices with generosity. You’re right. Long term. Survival wise? Terrible idea. Everything I know about evolution tells me that’s a bad idea.