Sep 21 2011: Adults, they are somebody's child: 2 days ago while enjoying the company of a neighbor I witnessed a dog running along the other side of the busy main street. I promptly excused myself, ran to get my car, searched and found the dog and tried to coax her into my car. She continued to run and eventually found a garage to hide, I tried to coax her out when a man, I later understood to be her owner walked out of a house and asked where did I find her. After a good beginning of a conversation, I noticed she had recently delivered puppies and appeared malnourished. I asked if he was able to feed her. He became extremely defensive and let me know the conversation was over. I explained to him my concern and offered him food for the dog ... he became more belligerent, I knew there was a strong possibility of physical danger. As I walked away I let him know how I felt about his demeanor towards me. As I opened the door of my car, he called out to me and apologized and said his mother had asked him the same question and being his mothers age, would not want anyone talking to his mother as he had talked to me. We talked for 10 mins. or so, hugged and shook hands numerous times. As I was leaving he called out to me 'matter-of-factly' ... "You know, today I met a Friend" I wanted to cry.
I had every reason to fear this giant of a man plastered with tattoos all over his body and sending out a warning of attack. But my love for his dog and the belief that he had to have some kind of compassion inside him, allowed me to stand firm my position.
During our conversation he mentioned several people in the neighborhood of which I knew of, he mentioned one neighbor that had taught him carpentry and focused on his elementary school teacher that had lived in the neighborhood of which I too had known and had been my child's teacher.
I recently moved back to the neighborhood and everyone I knew has moved. So I met a new friend as well.
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I had every reason to fear this giant of a man plastered with tattoos all over his body and sending out a warning of attack. But my love for his dog and the belief that he had to have some kind of compassion inside him, allowed me to stand firm my position.
During our conversation he mentioned several people in the neighborhood of which I knew of, he mentioned one neighbor that had taught him carpentry and focused on his elementary school teacher that had lived in the neighborhood of which I too had known and had been my child's teacher.
I recently moved back to the neighborhood and everyone I knew has moved. So I met a new friend as well.