A girl and her dog

[Kyoko]

I was returning to my school from downtown court hearing for one of the students this afternoon. At this busy intersection, a young girl and the border collie was standing in this tiny triangle island. The girl had a sign which read " Stranded. Hungry and need help." As the girl walked up and down and between the cars to collect the change held out of car windows, the dog patiently and obediently sat on that tiny island. When the light changed and I moved forward, I can see that the dog did not have a leash on. I knew I had no cash. All I had was a ziplock bag full of dog food, extra collar and a leash. ( Yes I have them in my car at all time. Don't laugh!! )
I turned in the next street, turned around so that I can approach the girl. I parked the car, walked over to the intersection and offered her a leash, only to find out that the collar the dog had on was all frayed and broke, did not have a ring to click the leash onto. I walked back to the car to get the collar and the food, which she accepted with appreciation. As I drove pass, she waved at me. I always wonder that if these kids are for real, or are they doing some college class assignment for some diversity experiment or not. But I was glad that the dog now has some food, reliable collar and the leash....just in case she was for real.

I passed the same intersection going home just now. I saw the collar I gave her was laying on the triangle island, along with the broken collar that dog had on.

I again wonder if she was for real..? or was she writing a paper for her school....

[F, Calla & Luca]

I guess you can't always know if the recipients of our generosity are deserving. But you did a wonderful thing : )

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My thoughts exactly.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Ditto

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Well said. 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Either way Kyoko you did the right thing!  You are a good person!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I often wonder the same thing. When I worked downtown in SLC, there were "regulars" that I observed quite a lot. They were actually professional panhandlers who got A LOT of money. I would frequently see them eating in the expensive restaurant that I worked at. They also threw away anything people gave them except cash. 

That being said - I know that some of them are real, and do need help. It's impossible to tell really, and I think you did a really wonderful thing regardless.

[Kyoko]

Thinking about your research, I wonder if the gender of the panhandler and other variables affects how much money you can get..? Earlier at the different location ( may be 30 min away ) I saw a young man panhandle, who was tatted up all over his face , neck and arms. I wonder who would solicit more sympathy and get more donation..?

[Camilla and Darwin]

That is a very good question. I wonder also if the presence of an animal or another person would affect the rate of help as well.

[Kyoko]

Yes. That was my thoughts as well.

[Kyoko]

This was a street which takes you to the large mall, so it was pretty busy. I also if she was being trafficked.... :-(

[Bonnie and Kona]

The trafficking issue is what concerns me the most. I think you did the very best thing you could. If she needed help, the dog collar, leash and food was a good contribution. If she was being trafficked, you did not support that. 

[Kyoko]

I thought about the trafficking, because we live in suburb, where we normally do not see panhandlers. Here in Pittsburgh, we have group of young people who are called " Crusties " but they normally hang out near down town. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusties