General Discussion

I lived in Long Beach CA and worked in Hermosa Beach, taking the shortest route to work took me through a super industrial and seedy area, with the huge refinery complex. I'd noticed a really dirty, hair matted bum walking along with a dog trailing behind, about 50'. I made sure I had some cash and a box of dog biscuits for when I saw him next. When I saw them, I pulled my car over and ran after him, yelling, "Sir!". I had to yell it a few times before he stopped and approached me. He was the dirtiest person I have ever seen, with bumps all over his face from the grime being spewed around there, I stuck out my hand and introduced myself, telling him I'd seen him out there. He hesitated to shake my hand, saying he was dirty but I said, "That's okay, I'm not worried about it" and he perked right up, shook my hand and introduced himself with a first and last name, followed by "St Louis, Missouri". I couldn't hang around and talk because my car was stopped in a traffic lane, on a bridge, so I just said I had some money and dog biscuits for him so they could both eat. He thanked me and went on his way. A day or two later, I was looking for him and the doggo and didn't see them. I drove to a nearby liquor store and asked about him and they told me he was found dead under the bridge and someone else had taken the dog. I cried my eyes out, heartbroken. Later, I felt like I'd encountered an angel (or something like that) and the purpose of the encounter was exactly what happened, with me caring enough to stop. Once that took place, his mission here was finished. It was very profound! I could just about cry telling the story and am eternally grateful to have been chosen for the experience.