A lot of times, the people who have the least can end up giving the most. And when they do, it means the world.
It was a chilly day in Salt Lake City, Utah. Angel Janes was driving to return home when she spotted something peculiar on the freeway.
An act of compassion
What she spotted was a man, sitting by the exit of that freeway. He was dressed for the weather – cap, jacket, and long pants. It was clear he was homeless.
The homeless man, whose name was Ron, was actively making an effort to fix things for himself.
Ron carried some signs, asking for money or work. Anything to help him get by.
He was holding something else, too.
He was carrying a little Chihuahua.
Now, that’s what piqued Angel’s interest. Who was this man, and why was he holding this dog so protectively out in this cold?
The dog was wrapped up in a blanket to keep warm.
Ron was obviously very concerned for the dog, and Angel gave in to curiosity and asked him about it.
Turns out the story was a lot more emotional than Angel was expecting.
Ron had rescued this dog.
He saw a woman preparing to dump the dog on the side of the road, and he stepped in to save it.
He’s cared for it since, despite him needing some help and care too. Angel wanted to help but didn’t have a lot of means at the time.
Source: Facebook -Angel JanesShe shared the story.
She posted Ron’s story on Facebook in the hopes that they’d find enough people to help.
Her post got a helpful boost from her friend, Kathleen Dallmann. Kathleen was determined to help, and her posts give a lot more details about Ron and the dog.
Source: Facebook – Kathleen Dallmann
”I just saw my friend Angel Janes post about an amazing homeless man/hero who went out of his way to save a dog’s life who had been abandoned off a fwy exit in Salt Lake City. This man could not adequately care for himself, let alone this dog and was looking for a home for him/her.”
Like Ron, Kathleen and Angel wanted the dog to find its way into a loving home.
Kathleen’s efforts at posting made that a lot easier than it would’ve been.
Source: Facebook – Kathleen Dallmann
To think that Ron can’t even afford his own phone, nor would he have a place to charge it. It’s hard not to highlight what a different world people like Ron are forced to live in.
Ron still finds ways to show compassion and care in his situation. Thanks to Angel and Kathleen, the dog caught the attention of Lisa Donaldson, another resident of Salt Lake city.
She showed up immediately to take the dog off of Ron’s hands and give it a loving home and even handed Ron $50 just because she wanted to.
Ron wouldn’t take the money.
The thought that the dog was finding a home it deserved was more valuable to him.
Source: Facebook video screenshot – Kathleen Dallmann
“Ron did not even want to accept the money, he said that he just wanted to do the right thing, and they were all crying together over the exchange. It was hard for Ron to give up this dog but he knew there was a better life out there for him.” – Kathleen Dallmann said in her post
Ron teared up, and probably felt relieved and at peace. The dog he worked hard to protect got the life he wanted for it.
Though as happy as that is, it’s not the happy ending to this story. Now that the dog found a home, it wouldn’t make sense to just leave Ron.
Kathleen took to Facebook again. She started a GoFundme for Ron. It’s what he deserved.
Source: Facebook video screenshot – Kathleen Dallmann
Ron knew what life without a home was like. He didn’t want this dog to have to live that. That sentiment moved Angel and Kathleen, and they made sure they’d help him one way or another.
Kathleen’s fundraiser took off.
It started out relatively small, at $400. She went to give it to Ron who could hardly believe it.
He teared up and didn’t know what to say. Speaking to the audience who’d see Kathleen’s video, Ron said that all that was important to him was that the dog would find a home.
Source: Facebook video screenshot – Kathleen Dallmann
But that wasn’t the end of it.
The Fundraiser was still active, and it kept going and going. After some time, the total donations amounted to $6,800.
That would make a world of a difference to Ron, who more than deserves a better life.
Source: ronproject.com
