him were the number of bums that were often hanging
out in the river valley, sleeping on benches and even
setting up temporary accommodations when the weather
was warm. Local media had referred to these temporary
shelters as "homeless villages". Jim had little empathy for
the homeless, seeing them as lazy and unwilling to go out
and make a life for themselves as he had done. After all,
no one had every given him anything. Everything that he
acquired on this earth he worked hard for.
clothes that indicated a homeless person lying in the grass
away from the path. To him, it was just another vagabond
sleeping it off after a night of drinking cheap booze. Sisco,
however, was barking excitedly and while wagging his tale
furiously ran towards the prone figure. Irritated because
Sisco would not return when called, Jim was forced to go
and retrieve his dog. As he grew close, he saw the reason
for Sisco's behavior. Peaking out underneath the man's
dirty parka was a small fuzzy dog. The two dogs were
sniffing each other. The bum slowly raised his head and
with a shaking hand started to pet his dog. Jim thought that
he looked very pale and was probably quite ill. He spoke
slowly, his voice weak and cracking. Mister, I don't know
how much longer I'm going to last. I don't have anyone to
look after Fuzz. Please take him and look after him, he's
always been there for me and he's all I have left in the
world. The man's eyes became moist. Jim's felt a rush of
emotions, everything inside his well controlled inner world
was shaken up. He felt confused, even frightened.
habit from his working life. After standing there stunned,
for what seemed an eternity, he found himself calling an
ambulance. In a short time two young men came down the
embankment, carrying a stretcher between them. It was
heartbreaking for Jim to watch this man saying goodbye
to his small dog. Jim picked him up as the vagabond was
being lifted onto the stretcher. Fuzz whined the entire
time, wanting to go with his master. As the man was being
carried away Jim realized he didn't even know his name or
which hospital he was going to. He ran after the stretcher
and asked the man who he was. The bum, in a low voice
answered, "Matt".
dirty, immediately gave him a bath. He was surprised
that Fuzz did not eat more, as he expected that he would
be hungry. Evidently Matt had managed to keep his
companion well fed, looking after him better than he
looked after himself. Sisco was excited and anxious to play
with his new companion. Jim was grateful that he was not
being territorial.
Matt and was told that he had passed away the night before.
He was unable to help the receptionist at the hospital when
she asked if he knew how they could contact Matt's next
of kin.
Jim and Sisco. Whenever they passed the spot that Jim and
Sisco found him and his master, Fuzz would go to the site
and wander around, like he was looking for something.
hours every other week helping serve meals at a local
homeless shelter.
author of THE OTHER KIND OF SMART, Simple
Ways to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence for
Personal Effectiveness and Success, published by
American Management Association. His website is
www.theotherkindofsmart.com.