Several hours later, I sat on the back deck drinking a glass of red wine and watching the neighbor's massive Port Orford cedar sway in the breeze. My soul remained pulverized from the loss of Gus and my inaction. Still, I consoled myself with the knowledge that he had a family that would do everything they could to resurrect his spirit because they took home such a damaged dog in the first place.
I made the decision not to visit the shelter's website and research another dog. Adoption would happen when it spontaneously happened, such as both times strays came into my life, Ray found along Highway 101 near Cascade Head, Jo Jo at a boat ramp on the Nestucca River. That spontaneity might involve driving to the shelter on a lark, choosing a dog without doing a lick of research, and taking him home right then and there.
Hundreds of tiny birds chirped in the safety of the cedar tree. Socialist squirrels appeared in the yard soliciting their freeloading handout of peanuts.
As I tossed peanuts their way, my mind returned to the shelter and how efficient and friendly the adoption service had operated, despite regular bad press in the local media.
Was there a model in there for serving the homeless? Not as in homeless people were like caged homeless cats and dogs waiting to be adopted, but something as expedient as me walking in and walking out in 30 minutes with a dog that needed housing?
A light bulb illuminated. Actually, it came on so bright it blew up.
Suppose the dozens of non profit homeless service providers funded by taxpayers were forced by the government agencies allegedly overseeing them to set up monthly events in various areas of Portland. There, the providers with keys to housing met homeless men and women in those neighborhoods who wanted into transitional and/or permanent housing and the providers GOT THEM INTO HOUSING RIGHT THEN AND THERE!
No appointments later to travel to the Old Town abyss for help. No referrals. No ID. No websites. No apps. No delays. No waiting lists. Minimal background checks. It's an emergency so treat it like one. A single 15-minute interview. A stamp of approval and a ride to housing RIGHT THEN AND THERE.
Why in the world hasn't this model been tried in Portland? What about a one-time pilot project? If such an event were held in my neighborhood and available housing actually existed, I would corral—no dragoon—ten homeless people that want off the streets and assist them into housing in one day. Imagine that going down all over the city once a week for six months.
If I were in charge, I'd call it Operation Gus.
Operation Gus, god I love it!
YES YES YES …. To use an old phrase from the 60s.. I have traveled from Bucharest to Berlin the last month, NOT ONE HOMELESS CAMP! Poor people? Maybe, but they had homes!!! Maybe ramshackle from first world, MTV standards… BUT HOMES AND NEIGHBORS!!
I’m with Gus!