It’s not uncommon to see a panhandler holding up a cardboard sign asking for help. However, when Texas resident, Wilma Price, read the unusual message on one guy’s sign she couldn’t help but pull over.
Price was in the middle of errands and about to leave the Walmart parking lot – but instead was drawn to the homeless man’s sign. He wasn’t begging for money so he could eat, or because he’d recently lost his job. His message was different.
It said:
“Dog in Pound – Need Help.”
Being an animal lover, Price wanted to ask the panhandler more about his situation.
Turns out, the man (whose name is Patrick) had run into some problems and his lovable dog was taken to the pound. The fee to get him out was $120 (which included a heartworm test, a rabies shot, etc). Not only did Patrick lack that kind of money – Price only had $8 in her pocket at the time.
But despite not having $120, the good Samaritan still wanted to figure out a way to get his dog out. She told InsideEdition.com:
“He seemed like a nice, gentle soul who just happened to have a hard life. The look in his eye was desperation; he looked like a big kid who just lost his puppy.”
So, Price called up a friend who agreed to help with the money.
Patrick and Price then headed down to the pound where his pooch was being held. When it was finally released, a heartwarming sight took place! According to Price, the dog was shaking because it was so overjoyed to see Patrick. The feelings of happiness were mutual too.
Photographs were snapped as the homeless man reunited with his four-legged friend. Price could see how much love they had between them – and even Patrick’s bag contained toys and a bowl.
In a viral Facebook post, Price wrote:
“He’s helping the dog against the world, the man was very very grateful he had tears in his eyes when the dog came out.”
She continued:
“We’ve all been in a bad situation in our life so remember always pay it forward you never know who that person might be that you help but I know for a fact that man loves his dog and he tried to give me the money he had collected. I wouldn’t accept it because maybe he can have some dinner tonight. He said his dog eats before he does.”
Price dropped the pair back off in the Walmart parking lot that evening, and couldn’t help but cry afterward. She wrote:
“All I can do is give him his dog and pray that life gives the man a break.”
After Price shared the touching story online it went viral. As of now, the Love What Matters Facebook post alone has over 41K shares.
"Wow what a day today has been I was on the way leaving Huntsville and had to stop to pick up some shots. I ran through…
Posted by Love What Matters onWednesday, October 26, 2016
That wasn’t the last time they spoke to each other.
According to CBS News, Price and Patrick became friends, and she ended up helping him in another way too. Several years ago, she set up a GoFundMe page that ended up raising thousands of dollars for Patrick and his beloved pet!
Patrick was very lucky that a kind-hearted stranger like Wilma Price noticed his sign that day. Hopefully, it’s a story that encourages more good deeds in this world.
Press play below to see Inside Edition’s cover of this touching story!
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