Stephen and his Chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix) companion, Molly, make an inseparable pair. Both have stories that intersected at the right time, and the love between them is apparent.
Stephen couldn’t resist the charms of Molly. Taking Molly in and caring for her gives Stephen a focus beyond his day-to-day circumstances. Molly’s got quite a story herself. And Stephen’s income from Street Roots helps buy warm clothes for Molly and get her nails trimmed. It also helps him cover necessary medical expenses for himself.
Stephen’s story
Stephen got involved with Street Roots only in the past several weeks, on the suggestion of a friend he met at his local dog park. His friend, a Street Roots vendor, told Stephen about the paper. Stephen had recently been hospitalized, but only 80% of the bill was covered, so he became a vendor to cover the remaining 20% he owed.
“Street Roots helps me pay my bills. The people are nice people,” Stephen said.
Stephen explained that he used to own and run a successful janitorial service company. He also raised his son as a single parent. His son is a former Marine who graduated from college and launched himself into a successful career in Portland with a local company, Stephen said.
“I’m proud of myself for encouraging him to get his education. And he studied hard. When my son went into the Marine Corps, it really depressed me. I worried all the time,” Stephen said.
Stephen started having hip problems that eventually became so bad he was no longer able to work. He was only 55.
“I lost my house. I was living in my van,” Stephen said.
When he turned 62, he started on Social Security, but most of his check goes to rent. He’s now 72 and has five grand-children.
Molly’s story
Molly came into Stephen’s life when her previous owner, a man who lived in Stephen’s building, was abusing her.
“I saw what he was doing. He was picking her up by the chain and kicking her to the elevator. Someone called animal control, and they investigated. She didn’t have a license or shots, and so they fined him $100 and told him she needed to be licensed. He didn’t want to spend the money. He begged his neighbors to take her in. I did, and I got her licensed, spayed and shots. She’s now good with the law,” Stephen said.
“When I first got her, she used to bite feet because she used to be kicked. But she now trusts me and knows that I won’t yell at her or hurt her. She turned out to be a really good friend.”
A new life together
The pair have been together for three years, Stephen said, as he leaned over to pour some coffee and milk into the lid of his cup for Molly.
“She makes me smile when she looks up at me with her cute little face and eyes. When she decided to accept me, she stopped biting me. That was great.”
He knows Molly helps him sell papers. He says that dog lovers approach him to say hi to Molly when the pair is selling their papers over at the Safeway by Reed college or near the Portland State University campus.
“Now some customers know us by name,” he said. “Molly is a kind dog for a half-Chihuahua.”
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