I saw this man walking up the street in the rain with his cat he called “Kitty” on top of his backpack. He said his name was Dimitri, but I think you’ll agree when you watch the video, it probably isn’t.

I originally thought I’d take a quick video of him and carry on about my day. However, after talking with him awhile, I became interested in hearing his story.  I offered to buy him lunch just a couple blocks away. He walked, I drove. I don’t give rides to strangers, Mom! I picked up some take-out and we ate outside (he could not leave the kitty to eat inside)  at a highly visible, high-traffic coffee shop in downtown San Luis Obispo.

He, like many Americans today, is jobless, homeless and living on the streets. His last job was in construction, but when that job wrapped up, there was no more work for him. Not long after, he hit his low when his vehicle needed repairs and he could not afford to repair it. Now he and Kitty are traveling on foot.

He was respectful, polite, articulate, and visibly hungry. He carried a laptop computer, camera, and phone, and a bag of cat food along with some other belongings neatly packed in his backpack. He had an exceptional connection to his companion, Kitty. As a long-time animal lover, I noted he and Kitty were very committed and very connected to each other. He said he’d had Kitty since she was born. The litter, he explained, slept all around him, but Kitty always positioned herself on his chest, near his face, staring up at him.

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on this story. What’s your initial reaction when read this? Please share freely.