Homeless F*ckers and their Dogs

[Liddle_skediddle]

As the weather is now warm and nice, I find myself constantly battling homeless streetkids and their stupid, pathetic dogs.
Whether they're in my way, asking me for change to buy dog food -which is totally ridiculous, shitting on my sidewalk, or picking fights with my neighbors dogs, it makes no sense to me why the city allows it in the first place.

[CMPN]

Your plight is truly harrowing.

[Johnny Slick]

It is f'ing annoying, but you know why they do it, right? Their chances of getting money for their cute doggie are way higher than if they just sit outside the Mexican restaurant that just opened at the old Dalmutti's site and ask for change and insult you when you ignore them. Yep. Simple economics. Sometimes people can be damn stupid.

[coffdrop]

Allowed by the city? What the hell does that mean?

[Gomezticator]

I think he means out of the multitude of passing cops, not a single one stops and gets them the hell out of there. I'm guessing the original post's referring to punks like those who hang out in droves on U Way in the U District between 45th and 50th. I've seen these loud, obnoxious groups of punks and their dogs hanging out in packs of 6-12 at all times of the day, and despite heavy cop patrols, no one stops and tells them to move along despite a supposedly strict no-squatting policy in the U District, probably because they hang out at bus shelters under the guise of 'waiting for the bus'.

Personally, until they scream, shove or swing at me for no reason and start shit, which hasn't happened nor come close to happening, I don't have a problem with them, though I wonder why the city allows it.

[pterodactyl]

I've noticed the breed of street dog changes from year to year, in keeping with the fashions.

Homeless Dog Illustrated writes,

"Last year's street dog accessory of choice was the purebred English Bulldog, preferably stolen from suburban backyards. This year's cur is the home-bred fighting Pitbull or Pitbull-Staffordshire Terrier cross. The brindle version is the absolute necessity for all of your urban outdoor living and pit fighting needs.

Insiders are predicting that next year's dog will be something compact and mid-sized, economically streamlined for optimum panhandling performance. Perhaps we'll see a renewed interest in dogs of the sporting class. However, some analysts claim that tiny rat dogs will be making a comeback, but don't look for them until at least late Spring, which marks the end of Small Dog Uncontrollable Shivering Season.

No matter the flavor for next year, matted, dirty, wormy and covered in urine are always in, so don't be afraid to get your dog dirty and let him roll around in your filth!"

[duffell]

That was actually the one good thing about the Ave "restoration" construction. Since the bus routes were moved off the Ave, skanky-ass crack dealers and the goddamn punks w/dogs were forced to move as well, since they could no longer keep up the illusion that they were "just waiting for the bus."

[diggum]

I had an interesting conversation this weekend along these lines. Namely, the most successful panhandlers/beggars tend to have a good gimmick. 10 years ago, I really only saw one guy incorporating his dog into his begging, going so far as to make the DOG sit there and do the actual work while he dozed nearby. As his success grew, others began to emulate, though with mixed results. It takes time and effort to cultivate a proper marketing gimmick, and these copycats and poseurs simply diluted the power and potential of the "poor widdle doggy" angle.

I remember the first time I saw a guy standing at a major intersection working the off-ramp crowd. It was about 1993, in Bellevue at the 8th Ave NE exit from 405. The man was large, dressed textbook hobo, and spent the entire shift crying. From 8am when I'd be driving by until 6pm when I left, and anytime I might pass in between, he had tears running down his face. I suspect he was pretty successful. Now you can't turn a corner without running over someone who got their cardboard sign from the last guy on shift. I've seen books published about what a great racket it is, how you can make several hundred tax-free dollars a day just standing around.

I've got to imagine that 15 years ago, on Broadway or the Ave, an angry teenager confronting you for not giving them money might have been a great gimmick - startling the normally passive, introvert shopmongers in the area probably increased profit significantly. However, the more people that do it, the less effective it becomes.

I'm curious to see what the next trend in begging will bring us.

[Rain Monkey]

I think the Stranger should hire a marketing and image consultant to help one lucky panhandler with their image, pitch and props. Maybe do a before and after and chart the return on investment.

[duffell]

Oh shit, that is exploitation at its finest. I'd read it.

[megtheplague]

its not just in the city that they're using the doggy gimmick.


Up near my family's place in Edmonds, there's been a guy standing outside a safeway for about a year with a GORGEOUS Aussie shep. asking for money.
Then for the last 3 months or so, theres been a different guy about 1/2 mile down 99 begging near Aurora Village. One day Aurora V guy walks up the street and sees the Safeway guy. Next week Aurora V guy has this pathetic looking old mutt sitting next to him.

I dont really give a shit what the homeless use as a gimmick, what pisses me off is that they steal dogs from what is typically a good, caring, loving home, and take the dogs with them where they dont get proper food, water, excericse, flea control, and obviously- NO veterinary care.

I dont understand why it isnt a neglect issue when all the dogs look like theyre dying of starvation, not to mention the heat exhaustion from sitting on a corner w. their 'owner' all day in full sunlight w. no shade or water.

[placid_panic]

i don't see how people can empathize with a dog but not a person.

[+10 Sword Of Radical Shit]

In Hollywood, dogs will guard your shopping cart full of 8x10s and bios as you sleep in your own vomit and piss. It has nothing to do with economics. It's simple math. Get a dog to bark at shady motherfuckers trying to annex.

Who knows why they have them here. Kick one if you're into it I guess. Young Sliwa.