This Bag Saves Lives

 i have been working with a program delivering pet food to people who, for any number of reasons, cannot afford to feed their pets, but of course, don't want to give them up.

one of my "clients" is  a great guy who lives in the bronx- he has 3 pit bulls and 3 cats, all rescued, whom he adores and takes very good care of. he lives in section 8 housing, in a huge project: he was in the navy for years, and was injured, and gets a small amount of disability. right now he's unemployed (which is why i've been bringing him dog and cat food).

i should add that he's a mechanical engineer who used to repair the engines of fighter jets, a computer whiz (he's restored several "dead" computers for me), and has all kinds of fixing/designing skills- he's going to help me install a waste veggie system in my diesel van this summer.

BUT he's in trouble. he emailed me last week from the hospital: a group of gang members (really) who live in his housing project beat  the crap out of him, and he's just had reconstructive surgery- the beating broke the bones around his eye sockets, cracked his jaw, moved his teeth around, etc.

he's in amazingly good spirits, all things considered. he been sneaking out of the hospital to feed and walk his animals.

but this is the second time he's been beaten up by these guys THIS MONTH. the first time they jumped him in an elevator- when the cops tried to get the security-camera tape they found that 10 of the 12 security cameras in the building's elevators were broken. there was no tape. the security at this housing complex is worse than useless. the beating yesterday took place at 2 in the afternoon, in front of the security office. no one did anything.

a social worker who lives in the complex has advised my friend to get a gun. seriously.

he needs to get OUT of this situation. but as you can imagine the prospect of an unemployed man being able to find section 8 housing that will let him keep his animals is daunting- add to that the fact that he has to do it ASAP and it becomes nigh impossible.

he's looking into a NY State Crime Victim's Board's Victim Assistance Program that might be able to help with some money for relocation.

in the meantime, we've found some low-coast boarding options for the animals, though they need to get caught up on their shots before they can go to boarding. if you can help with anything, i'm using "Chip In" to collect funds to help care for the animals, and him. thank you.