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Sunday, June 21, 2009

Be Thankful For What You Have



Remember Folks, it could always be worse.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

I see this guy every once in a while and first noticed him a couple of years ago. He always waves if you wave to him and often collects cans. The dog is always with him and seems in good health. I have ridden around with extra cans and dog food in my car but then I don't see him for a while. Glad to see he is okay.

Anonymous said...

What am I missing here. He's doing what he wants. Life is good.

Anonymous said...

He is often near Nanticoke Road Food Lion now. He is a nice guy- very polite when you stop to talk or give charity. I am not exactly sure he is unhappy or unable but I agree your right- things can always be worse. Things are not always what they seem. Maybe he just makes the best of a bad situation.

Anonymous said...

This guy and his dog are Salisbury staples. He used to camp out all day in front of the florist on Rt. 13 across the street from the new Salisbury University building. He now makes the hike up to Nanticoke Rd. near the shopping center where the Food Lion is. As the one commentor said, I think this is his choosen lifestyle. I've never talked to the guy personally, but as is the case with a large percentage of "homeless," mental illness is generally in play. In the guy's world, he's probably a lot most happier than most people you know.

Anonymous said...

He will take donations and hs a sign up asking for $$ or food but other than that I have never scene him harrassing people for money.

Anonymous said...

You've had him on your blog before. He's NOT homeless. He has a _very_ small, _very_ humble home. He does the can collecting to bring in money for food and other things. I can't remember if he's a veteran or not. His dog's name is Gladys. Joe, why don't you interview him. I'd be willing to bet he has a very interesting back story. Someone who's always that kind, works really hard to scrape by, who has the devotion of his dog and his friends - He's got to be worth at least one feature story.

Anonymous said...

I think that electronic traffic sign is just screaming out for a zombie warning for any of you technos out there.

Anonymous said...

It will get worse, much worse, real soon.

Anonymous said...

The guy is Elwood and his dog is Gladys.

Anonymous said...

If you look at the pictures real close, you will see that he has a cigarette in his mouth. If he can afford cigarettes, he don't need my help!

Anonymous said...

I've met Elwood and Gladys several times. He used to hang out and do odd jobs at Benedicts. They helped get him set up with a place to live. Elwood's main thing when walking the streets now is to pick up recyclables along with trash. As for Gladys, she's the sweetest dog there is and very devoted to her human.

Anonymous said...

elwood and gladys is very nice people i agree joe you should interview him. he never bothers anybody.I asked him one time why dont you go to a shelter he said no one will let him take gladys and thats his baby girl!!!

Anonymous said...

joe, an interview would be good. i talked to the guy three years ago. he told me and the friend i was with that he spent most of his life in prison for killing two police officers when he was young. he said that they came to his door looking for his father, and he shot them through the door. dont know if its true or not, but hes told other people the same story. i get the feeling that this man is vary sane and level headed, and he did not appear to be lying. would be interesting to know if he tells the same story to someone else.

Anonymous said...

I have seen this man at the wawa on S. Salibury Blvd. He always give the dog food before he eats.
I believe every summer someone will take the dog to be groomed and treated for any illness.
The dog is devoted to this man and he to her. He is richer then a lot of us with that love and devotion.

Anonymous said...

He has a cane and yet walks all over salisbury??? He dresses better than most people and continuously smokes cigarettes which are very expensive. I know someone who knows him and he is NOT homeless and does have an income. He is suckering people for money by trying to win their sympathy. Please give to someone who really needs it----and that really isn't him.

Anonymous said...

Kills two police officers, spends most of his life in jail, yet you got the feeling this main is very sane. I don't know who's crazier, the old man, the dog, or you.

Anonymous said...

You know , I don't know if he is sane or not BUT the fact is , he is not bothering a soul!! I have seen this man & his dog on the cornor of Benedicts when it was so cold, icicles would drip from ones nose. I do not think he & the dog would be out in that kind of weather had they not had to be! I remember being impressed by his show of compassion , having a blanket beside of him for the dog to lie on, rather then the cold concrete.
I think it would make a good story Joe! EW

Anonymous said...

For 4:57: There is a saying, "There is a thin line between sanity & insanity." Could be he is just as OK as we think we all are. Could be we don't know his whole story. Sooooo, be-fore we judge another , let us find out the facts----even if he did go to jail.

paz said...

I tried to give him half a pizza once. He turned it down. Said he wouldn't eat pizza.

Anonymous said...

Have also seen this gentleman and have given him dog food for his dog and a Subway gift card for him to get something to eat. I have seen him pushing his dog in the grocery cart and also with her wrapped in a blanket in the winter. Regardless of whether he is totally homeless or not his devotion to his dog is admirable and worthy of my help.

Unknown said...

He's allergic to the sauce, and cheese. He fed his slice of pizza to Gladys.
I give him $5 once in a while. He found Gladys when she was the size of a man's fist. She has been by his side for almost 8 years. There is a groomer that picks Gladys up once a month during the hot season to give her a bath, hair cut and her nails clipped. I am not afraid to sit and talk to him. I ran into him one day going into Foodlion and asked him if he wanted anything. All he asked for was a bag of chips and a tea. I bought Gladys some treats too. He is a very nice respectful man. My husband talks to him and buys him lunch often.

Anonymous said...

9:32----Good for you!! The world would be a better place with more people like you in it! This is what is soooooooooo lacking in this country now----COMPASSION FOR ONES FELLOW MAN!!!! It all about SELF anymore & the H--- with everybody else. Bless that groomer too! Anybody know who she is --- she deserves recogintion for her kindness!!! Do us a story Joe Albero!!!

Anonymous said...

I have seen this guy and I have gave this guy food and blankets for him and the dog. I gave him one blanket and he said thank you so much but if you dont mind i am going to wrap my dog up with it I siad thats fine adn went to my truck and gave him my dale earnhart blanket. I will help this man any time i see him> My mom and I both have went into foodlion and bought food for him and his dog. I will not see anyone go with out food or some kind of warmth. I have also talked to this man he picks up cig butts and he has had leg operation or may even have a fake leg, God bless his soul and keep him safe.No one needs to judge him until they know the hoe story about him.

emo said...

the happiest people in life don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have

Anonymous said...

I have seen him around many times and have given him money. He is very appreciative. I wish more people were as polite and kind. I don't know his circumstances, but it is not up to me to pass judgement. If I see someone who may be in need, I feel it is my duty to help.

Chimera said...

I like the title but the sad part is we are never grateful for what we have because we always want MORE.
I invited him to come get my soda cans from out back in the recycle box whenever he was in the neighborhood( when I lived in Salisbury)and I kind of resent anyone calling him a bum or a con artist-would YOU travel all over the city on foot in any kind of weather collecting cans that otherwise litter the landscape to earn extra funds? Doubt it!
We could learn alot from the example he sets about how to treat animals too.So what if he likes a square every now and then?He has EARNED those cigarettes!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Joe for information on who the guy I see sitting at The Pecan Square enterance on Nanticoke Rd at times. Next time I see him, I will definately talk to him and offer him something. Joe should do a story on Elwood and The Dog.

Anonymous said...

This guy is very nice, I've talked to him before. One time, I was walking out of the SuperFresh on College Ave with a cart of groceries and a 40lb bag of dog food when I saw him and his dog. It was around Christmas time, so I stopped to talk to him. I had a full cart of groceries and this dog food and the guy never once asked me for food or money. I asked him if he'd like some dog food for him dog (Gladys). He didn't expect it when I tossed the whole 40lb bag of dog food into his cart. He shamefully accepted, but declined anything for himself. I went back into the store for more dog food for my boys and when I returned he had money in his hand trying to pay for the food. I said "My dog is my whole world (at the time he was, now I have another dog and a wife to add to the mix) and I'd do anything to make sure he stays by my side."

Some homeless stereotypes are warranted, but this guy is something different. I can't help but to think that if I were ever put out on the streets that I'd be right there with my dog too. He loves that dog and that dog loves him! The dog is very well trained-I've never even seen her on a leash! If you see him, say Hello and talk to him-you might learn something about yourself!

Anonymous said...

8:55 am: Very well spoken, Learn something about ourselves is RIGHT!

I'm glad to see people who knew him have written in . Just proves we ARE NOT TO JUDGE OTHERS! The fact that he is so good to that dog should prove something to the JOHN Q PUBLIC.
Who knows, Maybe HIS STORY would make a good movie! I just bet you it would! GO JOE---You've got that goodness in you to make a difference in someones life---& it sure outshines beating others down!

Anonymous said...

I saw this guy with his best friend today behind the Dunkin Donuts store. He always speaks and his dog is thee best! I usually see them at WaWa. As far as him being a bum, I really don't think that is nice of people to judge him like that. We don't know his circumstances, and actually, most of us are closer to doing what he is doing and just don't realize it!

Anonymous said...

OK Joe, What's your answer? Seems like this story has stirred a Whole Lot Of Interest! Sounds like many are just waiting to hear The Good that can come out of this!! Let's hear the story!!

Anonymous said...

Ive given this guy money, food, coffee, etc... he is always very grateful! Atleast I have peace of mind knowing I made a difference in one persons life!