Off to the Sheriff we go

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Russianwolf

Russianwolf

Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2007
Messages
5,690
Location
Martinsburg, WV, USA.
As some of you know, my Lillian has a heart of gold. She tries to help everyone she comes across. About 3 years ago she came across a homeless man with an older dog. Feeling sorry for him, she put him up in a hotel for a couple days, gave him some food, a little money and took the dog to the vet for a check up. Through the years he'll call occasionally and she'll help as she can, mainly for the dog's sake.

Monday he called and said he thought it was time to put the little fellow down as he was 18 and having problems. Lillian picked him up and took them to the vet. The doc said it looked like he was covered in cancer and might last another month tops. He signed the paperwork and it was done. Lillian dropped him off at Wafflehouse as he asked.

Then he started calling and texting, blaming her. Saying that she rushed him into it and should have talked him out of it. Called her a bunch of names, and went so far as to make some vague threats. She responded to him several times and said some things she shouldn't have as well. I told her not to respond any longer and texted him that if he want to talk, call me. When he did, I was respectful and didn't blame him for feeling as he did, but said that Lillian didn't deserve to be spoken to the way he was. He seemed to calm down and asked if I would find him another dog. I said I'd keep an eye out, but I'd make no promises. He texted a little later saying he just wanted another dog. He called not 5 minutes later saying he'd changed his mind and didn't trust us, "don't turn your back and don't go to sleep". He called and texted a couple other times and we decided to go to the Sheriff today to file a report so they have it on file at least.

Lillian, changed the message on her voicemail to a spanish greeting "the person at 555-5555 is not available" kind of thing, and we think thaqt he thinks that she changed her number. He texted me shortly after saying he's done with us and we aren't worth it. That was about 7:30AM and we haven't heard a thing since.

I'm hoping he's gone away for good, but since you never know what someone like this is capable of we are still going to the Sheriff. I've let my neighbors around me know to keep an eye out (most of them are hunters, and my next door neighbor owns a gun store, WV is a castle law/stand your ground state) so we have the are pretty well covered. I'm actually more worried about someone doing something to the dogs than anything else.
 
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I am so sorry about that. It often seems like when you do something nice people will take advantage, get angry and blame you for doing the wrong thing. My daughter bought an orchard and since it hadn't been kept up for a few years the peaches were too small for the packing houses to be interested. So she gave away about $30,000 worth of peaches on a u-pick basis. Many were gracious and thankful. Others yelled at her for not being "open" long enough and for running out of peaches. Others destroyed property and stole from their apple orchard. Makes you want to never do nice things for people.
 
Sorry to hear that Mike. It's unfortunate but the grieving process does include anger and blame, especially for a man who always had his dog by his side and now finds himself full of loneliness. With time I'm guessing it will pass and hopefully he will lose your number. Good luck and I think you did the right thing by reporting it.
 
Where I work if it's part of my job to explain to the new people " how things work". That if a customer needs a jump to start their car you can't help them even if you aren't on company time. Why? Because once someone's car wouldn't start an employee tried to jump it and it still didn't start. Turned out the car had a dead computer. The customer sued us for the repair because the employee tried to be a nice guy. These days no good deed goes unpunished. I hope some day society sees the light and changes. I'm sorry you had this issue and hopefully you hear no more from this person.
 
There are a number of studies linking homelessness and mental illness. I remember reading a report on how over half of Vancouver's homeless suffered from Schizophrenia...

Unfortunately, the only friend this fellow likely had was his pet, and coupled with the grief of his loss, he's dealing with extreme loneliness as well. Life on the street has to be hard - losing one's pet on top of that would be harder still.
 
maxwell_smart007 said:
There are a number of studies linking homelessness and mental illness. I remember reading a report on how over half of Vancouver's homeless suffered from Schizophrenia...

Unfortunately, the only friend this fellow likely had was his pet, and coupled with the grief of his loss, he's dealing with extreme loneliness as well. Life on the street has to be hard - losing one's pet on top of that would be harder still.
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Very true, as I said I can't blame him for hurting. They were together forever almost. I would still like to help him, but when he starts making threats again Lillian I draw a line. Hopefully he finds another solution.
 
I think Andrew hit it square on the head, lets hope he in a short time will forget but going to the authorities was the right thing to do.
 
Mike and Lillian, it was very good of you to see if you could help this man, but it appears from the way he wound up treating you that he has spent his whole life blaming someone else for everything. Either he will wake up and move forward with his life, or not. Probably not! But THANKS for trying to do for him what he was not willing to do for himself.
 
Sounds like a con to me. Homeless with a cell phone? Probably unlimited texting. Some things they will do, is to try to make you feel guilty, therefore you may offer up more funds to replace the dog. JMO. Sorry this happened to you, and Lillian Mike. Be vigilant, and be safe.
 
I kinda wondered about the cell phone and texting too. I am really behind with my simple little flip fone. Wish I could afford to text and talk unlimited!!
I admire you for trying to help him - he needs help but not the charity type you have graciously given.
Good luck and hope this turns out OK for you both.
gordon
 
quick update.

He called yesterday and was much more himself. Asked me to apologize to Lillian and asked if we could keep the ashes when the vet gets them.


I'm hoping he's in a better place now mentally and we may not ever hear from him again. Honestly, I don't know how much longer he has left himself as I believe he may have some cancer too.
 
Good luck. I have gone out of my way to help several people and it always comes back to bite me. I don't know why, just happens that way I guess. But it never stops me. I figure no matter how bad things get it is still my responsibility to help my fellow man.
 
Maybe the hardest thing to accept (at least that's what my mental health professionals tell me) is that some people and even a few animals just can't be helped, no matter how much kindness you show them.

I hope that you are correct and that he must just go through the grieving process. BUT you MUST take the steps necessary to protect your family and belonging. He could be very unstable.
 
RW tell him your wife is scared of his comments, but will allow him to have the ashes; pick them up at __________. That way you don't see him, neither does your wife.
 
Haynie said:
Good luck. I have gone out of my way to help several people and it always comes back to bite me. I don't know why, just happens that way I guess. But it never stops me. I figure no matter how bad things get it is still my responsibility to help my fellow man.
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I agree. That being said, I believe in keeping some distance, also. In the OP's scenario, I can totally understand helping out the homeless guy. He would never have any contact information, however.
 
I thought that only happened to me...but it's just "in me" to help people, too.

Haynie said:
Good luck. I have gone out of my way to help several people and it always comes back to bite me. I don't know why, just happens that way I guess. But it never stops me. I figure no matter how bad things get it is still my responsibility to help my fellow man.
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