An Unhoused Story By Donald Crocket Jr
This is a new series I will be sharing on my blog where I invite members of the unhoused community to share their stories, memories, and wisdom. This series was inspired by Donny asking me if I could type up this letter he had written to thank the people who helped him along his journey. I was incredibly moved by it and all the conversations I had with members of the unhoused community in Grass Valley and Nevada City, CA.
I truly think it is a huge injustice that most of us don’t give ourselves the opportunity to listen and learn from unhoused people simply because of their living situation when most of them have more stories and wisdom to give than some could hope to gather in a lifetime. I would like to end this simply by thanking Donny for allowing me to share his words on my blog. It’s an honor.
My name is Donald Andrew Crockett Jr. I am a 54-year-old man who was on the path to nowhere before being blessed with being adopted by a K-9 (Rotthuahua mix) named Little Bear. Since he has been in my life, things have changed for me in a big way. I gave a solemn promise to God, Little Bear, and myself to do the best I possibly can to care for and love (nothing but love) this beautiful animal.
After being with him awhile, I realized that he is not the animal. We are. This realization opened up a whole new world of unconditional love to me that I never knew existed. It made me break down my pride and ask for help! Something that I have never done before.
It all started when I realized the weather was getting colder. It normally doesn’t bother me that much but the shivering cold Little Bear was telling me otherwise. He took one look at me…and I knew what I had to do.
I went to a place a friend told me about where I could get a free cup of coffee called Spirit House. Upon arrival, I was greeted by very caring and concerned staff members that let me know that if I was hungry, there would be lunch served a little later. As Little Bear and I waited for lunch to be served, we were free to mosey around and check the place over. To my delight, there were musical instruments that were available to play if asked. It soothes my soul to be able to be harmonically balanced by strumming a few chords on a tuned guitar.
Everyone was so friendly and took to Little Bear very much—unlike most places do with a dog. I felt comfortable enough to open up and state that “I need help, but I don’t know how to ask for it”. A gentleman named MJ immediately stepped toward me and said, “you do too! You just did!”
He explained he was a caseworker manager here to help me out when he was done with his other duties: sewing and cleaning after lunch. He said he would like to take some time to sit down with me and hear what was going on in my life to see where he could help me out. My nervousness and frustration immediately went away and were replaced with a slice of hope that maybe someone does care about Little Bear and I…
After sitting with MJ and letting him know about my housing situation (homeless), things have changed for me. Since I was willing to do whatever it took to secure Little Bear’s well-being, MJ immediately went to work for us by informing me of opportunities and programs offered within the community. He then directed me to go to the Hospitality House which was within walking distance (thank god!) because at that point Little Bear and I were exhausted due to weather exposure and endless walking.
Upon arrival at the Hospitality House, I was asked to come back at 4:45 pm at check-in time—which I did! I thought I might get turned away because I had Little Bear with me but it was just the opposite.
The staff was very busy with a big influx of people. But they stopped and took the time to make sure we were not freezing cold and that I had food and water for Little Bear. They informed me that I was assigned a bed where I was free to go to and be at home after I passed a search of my belongings (which is standard procedure). Everyone was so nice and took to Little Bear and showed nothing but love toward my K-9 and I.
Afterward, I made a teary-eyed, heartfelt prayer to my God for thanks for showing me that there is hope and there is a chance that my K-9 and I might make it and not be just another statistic in the next morning’s paper. There is hope that we could possibly be normal people & K-9 =) and be active normal members of society and have a home.
Little Bear and I are now in the process of that due to the help of people we met along the way. If it wasn’t for the love, hard work, and tolerance of the local organizations, I don’t think I would be alive writing this letter right now. It has made me think another way.
The other night it was expected to be cold. I was in Nevada City and a woman named Diane informed me that the cold weather shelter in Nevada City would be opened late that evening. She knows Little Bear and I because she runs Sierra Roots, an organization where people feed and clothe and show love to the less fortunate people such as myself. Understandably, I thought I would stay there and give someone else a bed at Hospitality House as long as they would accept my K-9 and they did!
Everyone loves Little Bear. He brings smiles and love out of people instantly. He touches people so much that I would like to make him an Emotional Support Animal. I can see how much he has an impact on people. Maybe this way we won’t get kicked out of places that don’t allow K-9s (housing, medical, etc.) due to that process. Little Bear is so special to me. I just don’t leave him or have him watched by anyone. Actually, he doesn’t leave my sight for but a minute.
The love that Little Bear brings out of people should be shared with others. While I was trying to get upstairs to go from temporary to permanent bed assignment which starts your process for housing, I saw a neat picture frame thing that said The Robb and Mollie Pet Project. I don’t know the history of it yet but thank you Robb & Mollie for paving the way for Little Bear and I. It gives me hope that we will not only make it through this together but end up going above and beyond like Robb and Mollie.
It would be nice to know that our story helps people and K-9s get the help that we have and breaks down the barriers and fears of people that are reluctant to ask for help like I was.
~~~
Author: Donald Crocket Jr
Editor: Nicole Asherah
Nicole Asherah is an artist who connects people to intimate moments, feelings, and relationships experienced throughout life through her poetry, paintings, and photography. Her best-selling book, A Life Cycle: A Guide to Healing and Rediscovering Yourself, is available for now. Please see more of her work at nicoleasherah.com
Check out my quiz Where are you in your life cycle? to better understand what you need right now to grow and become the best version of yourself.
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